Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025739 Inspector Graham Robinson 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 Sharon Wright Date of last inspection 12/01/2015 2 of 5 Inspection date 23/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None.

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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

The home is currently experiencing a difficult period, which has been on-going since the last inspection took place in January 2015. This is due in the main to some young people going through an unsettled period, which has presented a series of challenges to all involved. For example, a young person has made a series of allegations, which have all been referred appropriately to external agencies for investigation. Where investigations have concluded, the allegations have proved to be unfounded.

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This inspection

This, coupled with the relatively short time between inspections, has meant the home has been unable to move forward as much as it wished, regarding areas of progress and development. Keeping up standards of care and ensuring young people remain safe has been the main priority.

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This inspection

All the young people were around when the inspection took place. Interaction between them and staff was observed as positive. Young people demonstrated through their approach and actions towards staff, that the relationships between both parties is strong. A happy and relaxed atmosphere prevailed throughout the inspection.

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This inspection

Young people's plans for the future, along with strategies and assessments of risk, are updated to keep them current. Young people understand and have input into their own plans, which is facilitated by on-going consultation with staff. This is a reflection of the high levels of communication that exist in the home.

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This inspection

The home has retained its excellent working relationships with partner agencies, which has been tested on occasions since the last inspection. This ensures that young people are being provided with a co-ordinated, multi-agency response should they go missing or be involved in any safeguarding issues. 3 of 5 The home continues to be well organised and managed. A dedicated manager is well supported by a stable staff team who buy into the ethos, culture and working practices developed in the home over recent years. This results in young people benefitting from being looked after by a team of staff who understand their needs and provide them with a consistency of care.

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This inspection

Despite the challenges posed by some young people, the home has been able to maintain the standards of care noted at the last inspection. Young people are looked after by a staff team who understand their needs and recognise the difficulties being experienced by some.

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This inspection

The report from the last inspection contained no requirements or recommendations. No new requirements or recommendations have made following the conclusion of this short interim inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people. The young people may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/01/2015 Full good 26/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 26/11/2013 Full outstanding 13/03/2013 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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