Case Study

How a children’s home launched with confidence using Sue Solutions

New Home, New Start.

Background

In early 2025, a new children’s home in the North West opened its doors for the very first time - a small, therapeutic setting for up to four young people with complex needs. The vision was simple but powerful: to create a nurturing, safe environment where every young person could begin to heal and thrive.

For the Registered Manager, starting from scratch meant every decision counted. From recruiting the right team to establishing strong policies and procedures, they knew that getting the right digital recording system in place from day one would be crucial.

“We didn’t want to start with clunky paperwork or pieced-together spreadsheets. We wanted something that would support us, not slow us down.”
— Registered Manager

The Challenge

Getting It Right From Day One

Opening a new children’s home is exciting, and daunting. There’s so much to manage: Ofsted registration, safeguarding compliance, staff training, and building systems for clear and consistent recording. The team needed a care management system that would make their daily routines smoother, not more complicated.

They wanted something intuitive and flexible - a tool that reflected their values of transparency, accountability and child-centred care. That’s where Sue Solutions came in.

Even before their registration was finalised, they reached out to the Sue team for guidance. With expert support from Lianne and Coley, they created a setup tailored to their service — one that could evolve as the home grew. Within two weeks, the system was live.

All essential documents, policies, staff files, location risk assessments, and safeguarding records, were securely uploaded. Each team member received personal, role-specific training designed to build confidence and eliminate confusion. There were no generic manuals or complicated tutorials , just practical, real world guidance from people who understood the care sector inside out.

The Solution

A Confident Launch

From the very first day, Sue Solutions became part of everyday practice. Staff used the digital care management platform to record shift handovers, daily logs and medication notes in real time. Nothing was lost, nothing duplicated, just clear, consistent, and compliant information available at the touch of a button.

When Ofsted carried out their first inspection within three months, the team’s hard work paid off. Inspectors praised the clarity, consistency and accessibility of their records, commenting on how well information was organised and up to date.

The Registered Manager noticed the impact immediately. New staff were onboarded faster, and communication across shifts was more consistent. Instead of chasing paperwork or rewriting reports, the team could focus on what truly mattered, providing outstanding care and support for young people.

“When Ofsted visited within the first three months, they commented on how clear and consistent our records were. Everything was easy to find and up to date. It gave us huge reassurance that we were on the right track.”
— Registered Manager

Results

Building a Confident, Future Ready Team

For this home, Sue Solutions quickly became more than just software. It became the backbone of daily operations; a secure, Ofsted ready recording system that gave the team structure, visibility and peace of mind.

“It just works. It gave us confidence from day one, and the staff love it. We’re not wasting time writing things twice or chasing lost notes. I don’t even mind standing in when my manager’s on holiday - that’s the confidence it’s given me.”
— Deputy Manager

With plans to open a second home, the management team are already preparing to replicate their success. Using Sue Solutions’ multi-site management features, they can easily copy policies, templates and workflows, ensuring the same high standards across both homes without starting from scratch.

“We built our foundation on strong, transparent recording. It’s made all the difference  for our staff, for inspections, and most importantly, for young people.”
— Registered Manager

Key Success Factors

A Strong Start with Sue

Starting a new children’s home is never easy, but with the right digital partner, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing Sue Solutions from the very beginning, this North West home built a strong, compliant foundation that supports staff, satisfies inspectors, and safeguards young people.

Ready to see how Sue can make life easier in your home?