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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people at the home are making good progress and have positive experiences. There has been an increase in attendance at education and where young people have yet to commence their school placement, they are taking part in education within the home, supported by tutors. The home has appropriately challenged where there has been a delay in identifying schools, resulting in all young people having an identified school placement. This means that they have the opportunity to gain further knowledge and qualifications in preparation for further education. In addition, they are developing independent living skills to assist them when they leave home. One young person was preparing lunch for herself and said ‘I enjoy doing this and like trying new ideas for meals and getting ideas for when I live on my own.’ The home works in partnership with placing authorities to facilitate the transition into independent living. One social worker

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

commented ‘the home has worked well with this young person and has provided support to prepare him for his future.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people continue to challenge boundaries and there have been some incidents of young people going missing from home. When this is the case, staff search the local area, and make attempts to contact them as well as following agreed protocols and risk assessments. When there is known risk of child exploitation, the home works with specialist services to provide additional support and guidance. Strategy and planning meetings continue to review placements to ensure that there are contingency plans in place to promote welfare. In addition, young people have undertaken specific work with their keyworkers to help them understand potential risks and what to do to help keep themselves safe. This enables them to be involved in their safe care plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a new manager has started, who has been registered with Ofsted. She is experienced and holds a level 4 qualification in leadership and management. She has implemented a review of the documentation completed, and provided additional guidance to staff to ensure that it is completed to reflect effectively the young people’s needs and how these are being met. This enables a greater understanding of the progress that the young people are making. Where there are areas they require further support and assistance with, clear plans are implemented to promote this. Regular staff meetings are held to facilitate updates on the home and enable staff to undertake informal training. This has included updating knowledge on the home’s policies and procedures and enabling them to have a greater understanding or their role, responsibilities, practice and impact on children and young people. One member of staff commented, ‘it has been good to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

discuss things as a team and look at our practice. This has helped us to make sure we provide consistent support to young people so they can develop skills and knowledge for their future. It feels good and dynamic place to work.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager undertakes clear impact assessments to assess whether the home can meet the needs of any new young person. This has reduced the number of short-term emergency placements. This has resulted in greater stability for the young people who are living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been proactive in ensuring that the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met. Management monitoring ensures that shortfalls are responded to effectively, notifications are made in a timely manner and improvements have been made in the quality of the service. In addition, recent refurbishment of the kitchen and the ongoing decorating has resulted in the home being comfortable and welcoming for the young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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 that 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 0300 123 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, work- based 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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