Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report children’s home: SC369825 1 SC369825 Registered provider: Stoke-on-Trent City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A local authority operates the home. The home only supports children from the local authority’s area.

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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

The home continues to provide a good level of support for the young people. Since the last inspection, staff have successfully supported one young person to make a successful move to semi-independent living. One young person has been admitted, and this was well organised, with a level of consideration given to the appropriate mix of young people. Risk assessments and pre-placement meetings show that admission decisions are carefully considered.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to attend a variety of schools, depending on their needs and abilities. Staff are proactive in sourcing educational opportunities for young people who are struggling to engage in formal education. Inspection report children’s home: SC369825 2 Young people are in good health. The arrangements for dealing with medication are safe and ensure that young people receive any prescribed medication that is important to their health.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to be kept safe. Levels of missing from home are low and since the last inspection, there have been no physical interventions.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff build relationships with families as appropriate, and help young people to maintain contact with their families in line with their individual plans.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff complete regular health and safety checks and follow a range of safety procedures to protect young people from potential hazards. These include fire drills and emergency evacuations, to ensure that young people know what to do in case of an emergency.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s procedures for vetting and recruiting staff are thorough. This helps to make sure that only suitable adults work there.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is mainly well maintained and well decorated. However, the kitchen floor, units and chairs are showing signs of wear and tear. This is not conducive to creating a homely and well-cared-for environment where young people feel valued.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be managed by a suitably qualified manager who has been in post since December 2016. Staff have good access to training opportunities to make sure that they have the knowledge and skills they need for their work with young people. All staff are qualified, and receive appropriate supervision where they can discuss their own development needs as well as the care of young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working with external services is effective. Feedback from external professionals has been very positive. They have complimented the manager and the staff team on the quality and frequency of their communication, and their commitment to the young people they work with. One health professional told the inspector, ‘Communication is very good; the carers always ring if they want any advice or support.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that all the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met. This includes capturing the views of young people in regulation 44 reporting.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2017 Full Good 01/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 29/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC369825 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(1)(2)(c)(i)) 10/04/2018

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC369825 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City of Stoke-on-Trent, Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1HH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Susan Hammersley

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC369825 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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Inspector

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