Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008575 Inspector Jo Hornby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person The Together Trust Registered person address The Together Trust Centre Schools Hill CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 1JE Responsible individual Jill Marie Bernadette Sheldrake Registered manager Amanda Jayne Self Date of last inspection 25/06/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 27/01/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people’s behaviour is well managed by the staff team, through effective behaviour management plans and high levels of staffing. This ensures that young people have adequate supervision. Young people are well supported if they need spend time apart from their peers, to enable reflection on their behaviour.

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This inspection

Quality of care and professional practice is regularly monitored by the Registered Manager. Areas for improvement and development are identified and the Registered Manager, together with the staff team ensures that improvements are made. Following the last inspection the Registered Manager has suitably addressed the requirement made by introducing individual incident books. This has ensured that any measure of control is fully recorded. This assists staff to monitor incidents and to identify any patterns in behaviour. This ensures that young people are receiving the right support and management they need in order to keep themselves safe.

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This inspection

Three recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed. The quality of record keeping has improved. Young people have their own target and outcome book which staff updates daily. This ensures that young people are making good progress in all aspects of their development. Staff support young people to attend school and College on a regular basis, which assists young people in achieving their educational potential. Staff are given the opportunity to discuss any incidents of restraint, which are discussed immediately after an incident and in supervision and team meetings. These improvements have enhanced the quality of care and protection for young people.

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This inspection

Staff have a good knowledge of each young person in their care and frequently contribute to care planning. Placement plans record young people’s individual and complex needs, which staff follow in practice. The manager and staff are 3 of 5 committed and passionate in striving to improve the outcomes for young people. Staff work together to ensure that each young person receives consistent care. As a result young people receive individually tailored care that develops their life opportunities.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has recently put in a formal complaint against a placing authority, after not receiving the minutes following a young person’s review. Although this did not have a direct impact on this young person, this missing information could have compromised care which was vital to that young person’s complex needs.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection one young person has moved on to an adult placement. The Registered Manager acknowledged that the last two years have significantly challenged staff. One young person with very complex needs presented with extremely challenging behaviour. Staff worked creatively with other professionals to ensure that effective plans were in place to manage behaviour, whilst ensuring that the safety of staff and other young people was not compromised. Regular monitoring and consistent care resulted in the young person developing attachments with staff. This resulted in the young person successfully making the transition to a permanent placement.

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This inspection

Staff use their knowledge of young people effectively to stimulate their interests and turn these into learning opportunities. For example one young person was given the opportunity to grow plants and vegetables. This expands young people’s awareness of different types of produce and teaches them a variety of skills, develops knowledge, and helps to stimulate senses. Young people gain a sense of achievement and develop confidence in their skills in preparation for independence.

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This inspection

Staff support young people in preparation for the transition to independence and adult placements. Young people have clear pathway plans which staff follow in practice. Some young people are shopping for their own food and regularly making simple meals. As a result, young people are enabled to make positive choices and develop valuable independence skills.

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This inspection

Staff foster good relationships with young people, who are clearly comfortable in their home. One young person said ‘I like everyone……I like living here’. Young people enjoy positive interaction with staff and assist with tasks in the home. One young person helps staff to check that the home’s vehicle is in good working order. This has resulted in developing the young person’s understanding of safety and the knowledge of how to do various tasks. Consequently, young people feel valued, gain recognition and enjoy the praise this brings. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private charitable trust. It provides residential care for up to five young people, who have a physical and/or learning disability.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2014 Full good 18/02/2014 Interim good progress 11/09/2013 Full adequate 05/02/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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