Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited in Stockport

Inspection report children’s home: SC021684 1 SC021684 Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for six children who may have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home forms part of a private social care company.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection, the home experienced a period of instability due to the changes in the group of young people living in the home. Two young people struggled to invest in the home, and the staff were unable to help them reduce their risk-taking behaviours. This resulted in a change of placement for both young people. The home is much more settled and there have been a further two new admissions. At the time of the inspection, four children are accommodated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current group of children are making good progress and growing in confidence because they experience care that is sensitive to their needs. They have warm and trusting relationships with all the staff. All of the children are making progress in acquiring new skills; examples include improvements in their self-care, communication and increased independence. One child who refused to speak prior to coming to live at the home is now using some speech. The placing social worker commented, ‘The placement have been hugely supportive of the child, helping her to settle in remarkably Inspection report children’s home: SC021684 2 well and tailoring her care plan and support to ensure that her interests and health and emotional well-being were central.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Missing-from-home episodes increased for a period of time following the last inspection. The records show that the staff tried to disrupt this pattern of behaviour and to manage safety concerns for individuals by following procedures and working with the police to ensure young people’s safe return. Improvements in the missing-from-home records make it easier for the reader to see what action the staff have taken when a child returns from being missing. High staffing ratios ensure that the current group of children do not go missing from the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training in the use of physical intervention. Since the last inspection, and after the admission of one child, there was a rise in the use of physical interventions and incidents of bullying. Records demonstrate that the staff took appropriate steps to try and minimise the impact of some children’s behaviour on the others living at the home. That said, there was some impact that potentially compromised their feelings of safety and well-being.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children are in full-time education and are making good progress. Staff are keen to improve the communication skills of individual children. For example, the staff from a child’s school attended a team meeting to explain how he uses his communication aids. This helps to promote children’s development and progress.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children enjoy a range of activities that reflect their individual interests and talents. For example, one child goes to a local dance and drama group. The children also enjoy going swimming and trampolining regularly. A placing social worker commented, ‘[X] has started to engage in group activities that was previously not possible... since being in placement at [name of the home], [X] has made excellent progress in all areas and his needs have been met well by staff.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contact with family members is well supported. Parents are able to visit the home, which allows for quality time together. Staff also provide supervision when required for contact visits that take place away from the home. A placing social worker commented, ‘The staff have been accommodating in facilitating meetings with parents and have also built a good relationship with the mother, which has been integral in ensuring that contact has been beneficial for the child.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff make every effort to maintain the physical environment of the home. However, the curtains in the lounge are very creased, and one of the curtains in the staff office has fallen down. In addition, some windows have a frosted film on them to help protect the children’s privacy. However, the film is not permanent and is peeling away in some places. This detracts from an otherwise homely environment.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met one of the two recommendations made at the previous inspection; however, the quality of care report does not clearly identify any actions required for the next six months and how these will be addressed. This continues to limit the opportunity for continuous improvement of the home. That said, the home continues Inspection report children’s home: SC021684 3 to be managed effectively by a very child-focused and committed manager.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2017 Full Good 06/12/2016 Full Good 11/10/2016 Full Inadequate 20/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

 The quality review should enable the registered person to identify areas of strength and possible weaknesses in the home’s care. The home should clearly identify any actions required for the next six months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)  For the children’s home to be a nurturing supportive environment that meets the needs of their children, it will be a homely and domestic environment. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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. Inspection report children’s home: SC021684 4 Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Shaw Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 4AG

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Inspector

Michelle Bacon, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC021684 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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