Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Limited in Stockport

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s life chances improve as a result of their good, nurturing care and support from this staff team. They are safe and continue to prosper emotionally, socially and educationally to variable degrees. Young people express positive views about life at this home. Their relationships with the staff are naturally warm, friendly and built on mutual trust and respect. Progress has been made to address one of the two requirements made at the last inspection. The statement of purpose now includes a description of the homes approach to the type of monitoring and surveillance used. This promotes safe and transparent practice. The independent visitor’s report makes positive references to young people’s safety. However, the visitor does not give their opinion that children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes their well-being. This requirement has been raised at previous inspections. The provider

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

is addressing this issue with the independent visitor to ensure it is resolved. A recommendation to improve staff sleeping accommodation has been addressed. The second recommendation relating to making the cellar available so that young people can freely access the laundry facilities is work in progress. Plans are in place to move the washer to the kitchen, away from the potential hazards in the cellar. This will allow young people unlimited access to washing facilities, which will help them develop their independence skills. Since the last inspection, one younger adult has successfully moved into her own accommodation. The good care, help and protection afforded to her by the staff team kept her safe and motivated her to change her life. As a result, her life chances are enhanced due to her positive choices and she remains in touch with the home. The younger adult described living at the home as a ‘Lifeline.’ She said,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘They kept me safe and I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them.’ The manager said, ‘She was special.’ One young person who moved into the home a few months ago has settled into the routines and boundaries. Although not without incidents and challenges, he is making progress. His good engagement with staff is helping to overcome barriers to his further development. This is good. Young people’s individualised care plans provide continuity of care. Effective partnerships with other professional agencies and families secure the best outcomes for the young people. The manager is not averse to challenging professionals when they do not honour their responsibilities to ensure young people’s needs are met in accordance with their plans. Young people get the right education that meets their learning needs. Their school attendance is good and those with 100% attendance have received an award in recognition of their achievement. Staff have high aspirations for all young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to succeed, which promotes their talents and builds confidence in their abilities. For example, coming second highest in class in an examination. The staff team remain in good communication with education providers to help broaden opportunities for young people to find educational success. A young person who had difficulties attending school has sustained a college placement for several months, which improves his future prospects. Young people are increasingly safe due to the actions taken by the well-informed staff team to protect their vulnerabilities. Risks to young people’s safety and welfare, such as missing from home and child sexual exploitation have significantly reduced. Anti-social behaviours, such as smoking illegal substances are addressed with young people to help them to understand the negative impact on their health. Current behaviours do not warrant the need for physical intervention and rewards

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

outweigh sanctions. Listening to young people’s wishes and feelings has resulted in them staying in the local area when transitioning into independence. They also have a say in their care plans to either live with foster carers or return home if this is a safe option. Furthermore, the influence they have making choices about their daily lives and leisure activities values and respects their rights. The manager puts the needs of the young people first. She said, ‘I feel proud of the kids.’ With the trainee manager, they provide good leadership and invest in the consistent and motivated staff team. This is particularly noted in the recent internal promotions. Ongoing staff training promotes their professional development and keeps practice fresh. A member of staff said, ‘I really love working with (Name of the manager and trainee manager) and they have got me all these different qualifications.’ Consequently, young people continue to benefit from an effectively

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

managed service, cared for by staff who are fond of them and ambitious for their success. This promotes their positive outcomes.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for five young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2014 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 (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 independent person must produce a report about a visit ('the independent person's report') which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether -

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 31/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The design of the home should, where appropriate, enable children to develop independence skills within the supportive environment of the home, including through encouraging independent use of the kitchen and laundry areas. (The Guide to the Quality Standards. Page 15 paragraph 3.10) In particular, ensure that young people to have free access to the laundry facilities.

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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