Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC356318 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Care Today (Children's Services) Ltd Registered person address Lansdowne House 85 Buxton Road STOCKPORT Cheshire SK2 6LR Responsible individual Vivien Anne Snape Registered manager Geoffrey Peck Date of last inspection 30/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 06/03/2015

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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 sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved back home and two young people have become resident. Staff and the manager have worked in close partnership with young people, families, and social workers to assist the smooth and successful transition home.

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This inspection

Two young people have moved in; one move was planned and the other was in an emergency. Both young people have settled well and are happy in the home. One said, ‘My bedroom is ok and I get along with other people; staff have been ok and I feel safe’. The team have worked together to ensure that young people arriving or leaving the home do so in the smoothest way possible. Admission and discharge planning ensures young people are kept informed and involved at all times.

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This inspection

Young people continue to have regular contact with those who are important to them. Good relationships have developed as a result. Young people manage their health well and benefit from healthy diets. Daily menu plans reflect their cultural preferences. Where routine health appointments are missed staff ensure they are quickly re-booked. Young people manage their behaviour with the support from staff. They engage well with external agencies such as Youth Offending Service. As a result, offending behaviour has reduced.

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This inspection

Excellent joint working with police and Local Children’s Safeguarding Boards has protected young people from the risk of harm. It has supported the young people to feel confident that staff have their best interests at heart. As a result, they feel safe. Staff deal with allegations and complaints effectively and efficiently. They make referrals to the Local Area Designated Officer when there are concerns about the safety of young people. As a result, investigations and outcomes are timely and fair. This protects young people from harm. 3 of 5 Ofsted made one requirement and two recommendations at the last inspection. The manager has still not received an annual appraisal, so this requirement continues. Supervision records now detail the time, date, and length of supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person. Notifications are now sent to Ofsted in line with regulation. This means information is shared to inform the

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This inspection

inspector so any action necessary can be taken promptly.

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This inspection

The manager continues to strive to improve the service. A comment received from a social worker about the service the home provides said, ‘I have been extremely impressed by the service offered; the manager has ensured that all areas of need and support have been covered; excellent'.

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This inspection

Staff continue to receive training specific to the needs of the home. Regular supervision and discussions in team meetings allow them to reflect on practice, expand learning opportunities and develop plans for their personal achievement. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for two young people, of either sex with emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties. It is owned by a private company.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/10/2014 Full good 07/01/2014 Interim good progress 22/08/2013 Full outstanding 07/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall ensure that all persons employed by him receive appropriate appraisal. (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 31/05/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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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