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

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff encourage the young person to build trusting and secure relationships with them. Clear consistent boundaries have resulted in stability and security which has helped him develop good relationships with other people and increase his self-confidence.  Young people are welcomed into the home. They are provided with personal items and information about the home when they arrive. This gives them an understanding of what is expected of them, and what the home has to offer.  Staff provide opportunities for regular one-to-one discussion and individual weekly meetings with the young person, to discuss his views on the care he needs and about the home and his life.  The young person lives in a safe environment and his welfare is promoted. Staff give young people‟s safety and well-being a high priority. Good safeguarding procedures and considered risk management plans underpin staff practice.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff demonstrate a commitment to overcoming difficult and challenging behaviour. Clear, consistent and age-appropriate boundaries provide stability, and contribute to the young person‟s security and well-being.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff employed at the home are subject to full organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. This ensures that young people are protected from persons who may present a risk to them.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff supervision and annual appraisals are held regularly. Individual learning needs are identified and staff report that the manager is supportive and a strong leader.  One shortfall noted at this inspection concerns the home‟s statement of purpose, which does not reflect how the home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. This with specific reference to ensuring if the staff are all of one sex, or mainly of one sex, a description of how the home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes. (Regulation 16 (1)) 18/12/2015

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation which has a number of other registered children's homes. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people, who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/07/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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good

The young person living in the home is afforded good quality care which has helped him to make significant progress in many aspects of his development, such as engaging with education provision. Staff provide him with clear consistent boundaries which have enabled him to gain a sense of security and belonging. On admission he was provided with personal items, such as necessary personal products and information about the home and what to expect from staff. He has been supported and encouraged to personalise his environment with photographs and familiar belongings, and this is evident throughout the home, making it homely and a place where he belongs.

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good

Staff know the young person well and continue to develop positive relationships with him. Staff invest their time by being interested in his experiences, listening to his views and supporting him with situations which cause him anxiety. Staff offer reassurance and help to address issues in a calm way, and also advocate on his behalf. This positive approach is helping him to manage difficult situations. Staff provide opportunities for regular one-to-one discussion and individual weekly meetings with the young person, to discuss his views on the care he needs and about the home and his life. This means that he feels valued and has a clear understanding of what is expected of him. The young person said, „Staff listen to me and I say what I want and have a say in my plans.‟

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good

Care practice is underpinned by good care planning. The young person is supported to contribute to his own placement plans. This process is effective in helping him gain a good understanding of his specific needs and how he can achieve his individual targets and goals. Formal key work sessions provide opportunities to discuss areas of intervention, and are supplemented by informal opportunities to talk about his hopes and progress. Staff support the young person to engage in recreational activities in the community. They know what the young person likes and strive to identify activities which are based on his hobbies and interests. The young person is passionate about rugby and staff have engaged with a local rugby club, where he is developing and learning skills. These opportunities and experiences help to build self-confidence and self-esteem. The young person said, „I love rugby and I have met some players. Staff got me into a club and I love playing. I knew loads about

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good

the game but I am learning some new moves.‟ Staff understand how the young person‟s experiences and emotions can be communicated through his behaviour. They support him to communicate his feelings in a safe environment, helping him to devise strategies to manage these in a positive and safe way. He is gaining clarity about acceptable behaviour which will assist him in his adulthood.

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good

Young people come to the home with high levels of risk-taking behaviour such as sexualised behaviour and criminal activity. Staff help them to understand the importance of making the right choices. Staff work with specialist agencies such as the youth offending team and police to ensure that the right level of guidance and support is provided. Staff identify when young people are not able to manage free time safely, and provide appropriate supervision to ensure that the risks to the young person and to others in the community are not compromised.

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good

The young person says he feels safe because staff care about him. High levels of staff supervision, and a dedication to keeping young people safe means that there are no incidents of young people going missing. The young person commented, „Staff care and I wouldn‟t want to run away from here.‟ Staff demonstrate a commitment to overcoming difficult and challenging behaviour. Clear, consistent and age-appropriate boundaries provide stability, and contribute to the young person‟s security and well-being. Staff have a good insight into the young person‟s emotional needs and develop tailor-made behaviour management plans, which are fully implemented in practice. Young people learn what behaviour is safe and acceptable, which helps them make good choices in preparation for adulthood. The manager and staff work collaboratively with safeguarding agencies in respect of risk evaluation and the young people. This assists in promoting their safety and

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good

well-being. Positive behaviour is encouraged. Clear and consistent boundaries help young people understand the effects of their behaviour on themselves and others. Three restraints have been required since the last inspection and are subject to systems of scrutiny. The use of restraints is fair and of a low level and is undertaken in line with the home‟s policy and procedures. Staff employed at the home are subject to full organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure they are in good working order. This ensures the environment is safe and that young people are protected from persons who may present a risk to them.

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good

The Registered Manager has been in post since March 2007. He is also registered to manage two other homes within the organisation, and therefore is not in full time day to day charge of the home. This has not proved detrimental to the running of this home due to the homes being in close proximity. The manager maintains a good level of management oversight. He is child-focused and has a good understanding of the needs of vulnerable young people. The staff team is experienced, stable and competent in delivering high quality care to young people and their families. Staff have a good relationship with the manager and receive regular supervision and appraisal, which focuses on their professional development and the progress the young person makes. Mandatory training is up-to-date and some staff have completed additional training in relation to sexual exploitation. This has helped them identify and understand the

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good

associated risks and take appropriate action to ensure young people get the necessary support they need. A staff member said of the manager, „He is very supportive and if you need to talk about personal issues he listens. We have supervision on a regular basis and appraisal. We can contact him anytime.‟ The Registered Manager evaluates the quality of care afforded to the young person. He learns from feedback, placement success and breakdowns. Robust investigations are undertaken when concerns arise in relation to an issue or incident which occurs in the home. He identifies shortfalls in the practice of placing authorities and escalates his concerns to the highest level. He is a strong advocate for the young person and has his best interests at heart. He ensures that the young person has opportunities to share his views and anxieties about future placements by introducing the young person to children‟s rights services.

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good

The provider has a representative who visits the home on a monthly basis. Reports are of a good standard and reflect the views of young people and staff. Relevant documentation is reviewed to confirm that it complies with legislation. This ensures that the home is monitored regularly.

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good

The manager and staff work effectively with youth offending staff, educational staff and health professionals to provide a multi-agency approach to ensure the young person receives quality care, which provides the correct support for all his needs. This has assisted in the young person engaging with education provision. Care planning is of a high standard and is designed to meet the individual needs of the young person. The manager regularly monitors and reviews the progress the young person makes which enables him her to identify any developing patterns or trends. Consequently, he can take action to address any areas of concern that are identified quickly. All significant events concerning the welfare of the young person are notified to the appropriate authorities in a timely way; to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect the young person, and other people, whenever necessary. The young person is cared for by a predominantly male staff team which is in line

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good

with his individual needs and care plans. The manager also ensures that the young person has ample opportunity to experience care from a female member of staff. One shortfall noted at this inspection concerns the home‟s statement of purpose which does not reflect how the home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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