Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008607 Inspection date 15/01/2014 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is run by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2013, the judgement for overall effectiveness was good. One recommendation was made. This related to an aspect of the manager's reports under Regulation 34 of the Children's Homes Regulations. Since that inspection, young people have made satisfactory progress overall.

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Progress

The recommendation that was made at the last inspection is not met. The manager undertakes regular monitoring of the quality of care in the home and has a good oversight of young people's progress. He also consults regularly with young people, their families and professionals, seeking their views about the home and how young people are cared for. However, the reports that are made of the monitoring activity do not reflect the outcome of this consultation and how it is used to drive improvements in the home.

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Progress

Staff have maintained the quality of care for young people. Most young people move into the home in a planned way. The manager obtains detailed information about young people from their placing authority before a placement is made to ensure that the home is able to meet their assessed needs. Young people are given good information about the home before they visit and are introduced to staff before they move in. This helps to reassure young people and supports a smooth transition into the home.

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Progress

Young people make steady progress from their starting point on admission to the home. They benefit from being cared for by a competent and experienced team of staff who work well together to provide consistent care. Detailed placement plans ensure that all staff have a good understanding of young people's assessed needs.

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Progress

Staff are very positive about the value of education. They work hard to ensure that young people have an identified education provision and they promote regular attendance. This maximises young people's opportunity to make progress. Staff also work hard to ensure that young people develop a healthy lifestyle. They encourage young people to have a healthy diet and to exercise. Young people are registered with primary health services and are supported at routine appointments. This ensures that their general health is monitored. Young people who smoke are encouraged to stop in order to improve their health.

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Progress

There are effective arrangements in place to ensure that young people are properly safeguarded. These include robust procedures and protocols for managing safeguarding concerns and training for staff in safe care. Risk assessments are developed for each young person identifying any areas of specific concern or vulnerability. Plans are put in place to minimise those risks in order to protect young people. The manager has developed strong links with local police and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. He shares information about young people appropriately with relevant agencies. This ensures good partnership working and promotes the safety of young people in their local community. Young people's safety has improved as a result of living in the home. For example, some young people have had a history of going missing before they came to the home and have not been absent from the home since their admission.

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Progress

The home continues to be managed effectively. The manager provides good leadership to the team of staff. Staff report that they feel they are well supported through regular and meaningful supervision. They communicate well with one another about the care and progress of young people through handovers and team meetings. Staff also report that they have regular training which enables them to maintain the knowledge and skills they require to care for young people.

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Progress

One recommendation has been made as a result of this visit. This relates to an aspect of the manager's monitoring reports and is carried forward from the last inspection.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure clear and effective procedures are in place for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. In particular, demonstrate within Regulation 34 reports how the views of children and partners are being evaluated and used to promote continuous improvement and development. (NMS 21.1)

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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