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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, the home was ‘not judged’ .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has not provided accommodation to children since December 2015. This inspection focuses on whether the children’s home meets the statutory requirements in order to maintain its registration and is ready to accept placements.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in August 2015, Ofsted judged the service to require improvement. The last inspection was an interim inspection in February 2016 when no children were on roll. A shortfall was found in the reports written by the independent visitors. Since then, the visitors have improved the standard of reporting so that they are factual and not speculative. These visits monitor health and safety issues, as well as other issues. The manager has plans to undertake final checks before admitting a child to the home. The inspector will consider the shortfalls identified during the next full inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Prior to the last inspection there had been several changes of manager. An experienced manager covered the home and Ofsted registered him in April 2016. However, he resigned for personal reasons in July. A new manager has been in post since October and Ofsted is currently dealing with his registration application. This disturbance has had no effect on children because none lived there at the time. The team members were dispersed to other homes. The home’s manager is also responsible for another home across the road, which has operated as normal during this period.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Senior managers are now creating a new team. Several new staff are currently completing induction training in other homes where they are also gaining valuable childcare experience. They are likely to join experienced staff here in January 2017.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager is fully aware of the delicacy required in matching new children to the home. Unsuitable admissions have been a major source of disruption in the past. Important considerations include the newness of the team, the profile of the children in the home across the road, and the characteristics of the neighbourhood.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The property, including children’s bedrooms and the office, is ready for the first admissions. It has been attractively furnished, decorated and modernised. Arrangements are in place to clear the back garden.

p.2

Information about this children’s home

A large private care provider operates this home. Ofsted has registered the home to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/02/2016 Interim Not judged 21/08/2015 Full Requires improvement 06/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 30/10/2014 Full Good

p.4

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’.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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 children looked after 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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.6