Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is led by a well-qualified and experienced manager who has managed the home for several years. She continues to have a good understanding of the strengths and development needs of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager monitors, reviews and evaluates the quality of care that young people receive. This drives improvement in staff practice and improves outcomes for young people. She continues to develop ways to engage young people. She regularly consults with placing social workers and independent reviewing officers and challenges local authorities on behalf of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consistency within the staff team is good, and vacancy levels have reduced. This supports continuity of care for young people. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s complex needs. The manager and staff work hard to explore young people’s backgrounds and needs. Young people grow in maturity because staff have great respect for their previous experiences and reasons for behaviour. They have an in-depth understanding of how historic neglect affects young people’s self- esteem and their abilities to make attachments with others. Staff say this understanding enables them to ‘go the extra mile’ for young people. Staff’s high regard for the mental and emotional health of young people is reflected in detailed key working sessions and the responses of young people in this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one safeguarding incident involving a young person and an agency member of staff. This was fully investigated. Although the allegations were not substantiated, the manager put protective measures in place to safeguard young people in another home, where the member of staff had been moved to. The staff member was given additional training and increased supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress. They attend school and are achieving well. One young person who is on a reduced timetable at school has achieved 100% attendance since the last inspection and is looking at going full time after the Easter break. The manager and staff work well with educational professionals, identifying appropriate school placements, and have challenged other professionals effectively to ensure that young people’s educational needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people experience highly individualised care and this gives them a good sense of belonging, particularly during periods of turmoil and aggressive behaviour. Highly committed staff and strong relationships mean that all young people receive positive attention even when they are struggling. They identify important improvements in their behaviour. Young people go missing less. Their relationships with staff enable them to talk about their worries and risk-taking behaviours. For example, some young people seek out staff to talk about their anxieties, and how to seek support when they are feeling low.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are healthy and are supported well by staff to attend all routine and specialist health appointments. Staff work alongside health professionals, such as general practitioners, to ensure that young people’s health needs are met. The manager is proactive in bringing to the attention of social workers and health professionals any concerns she may have regarding young people’s health. Staff develop positive and nurturing relationships with young people. This supports young people to develop in confidence and self-esteem. Staff work in a supportive and structured way with young people to reduce negative and risk-taking behaviours. Some young people have made significant progress, which has resulted in a reduction in incidents and the need for physical intervention.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment provides a warm and comfortable living space for young people. Bedrooms are clean and reflect young people’s personalities. Outside, the gardens are laid to lawn and have play equipment for young people to enjoy.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/12/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/01/2016 Full Outstanding 23/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 whom 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 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,

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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

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

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