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

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC437645 1 SC437645 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Judgement at last inspection: good

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 improved effectiveness. Since the last inspection, two young people have left the home and one young person has moved into the home. All transitions were well planned and managed diligently in partnership with the relevant placing authorities. Staff supported the young people to prepare for their moves. One young person moved into a semi-independent living arrangement and is still in regular contact with the staff at the home. This demonstrates the strength of the relationships that are formed between the staff and young people. A young person at the home said: ‘They are nice here. I can talk to them.’ The young people have made good progress across all aspects of their development. All of the young people are accessing formal, structured education. The staff encourage the young people to have aspirations and goals, which promotes economic well-being for

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

their futures. Healthcare needs are prioritised and met. Routines at the home are nurturing. The young people access positive activities outside of the home. They are also Interim inspection report children’s home: SC437645 2 enjoying increased levels of contact with family members and people who are important to them, all of which contribute to an increased level of self-esteem and emotional well- being. The management of risk is comprehensive and details the strategies that staff must take to prevent and reduce risk to the young people. Carefully planned key-work sessions are carried out with the young people to help them to recognise the impact of their behaviour and to respond in a more socially acceptable manner. Consequently, incidents of challenging behaviour have decreased. This is excellent progress. Physical intervention is rare. Staff have intervened physically, when necessary, on two occasions. These were

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

appropriate measures to reduce the risk of harm. The standard of recording, monitoring and evaluation of such incidents is high. Staff promote rewards for positive behaviour. There are instances when sanctions are used appropriately to address negative behaviour, but the recordings of the evaluation and debriefing of the sanctions are inconsistent. Leaders do not always sign the record to confirm it is accurate. A requirement is made to address this matter. When the young people have been missing from the home, staff are highly proactive in reporting this to the appropriate authorities and locating them. Independent return interviews are requested and do take place. There has been a reduction in incidents of going missing from the home and this is highly positive progress. Leaders work well with placing authorities and partners to provide a high standard of care for young people. One independent reviewing officer said: ‘The staff are very

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

supportive of the young people and help them with their outside activities. They keep school up to date, and the young people seem very happy and settled.’ Although there were no formal requirements or recommendations given at the last inspection, the inspector did identify two development areas. The manager and staff team have continued to develop the service and have enhanced both areas of practice. Leaders complete regular monitoring and evaluation of the service, which includes seeking the views of young people and partners. The manager uses this feedback to continually evolve the service but does not routinely include this in the quality of care review for the home. While this has had no impact on the quality of care provided, a requirement is made to ensure that the views of others are included in the review of quality of care report.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2017 Full Good 21/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Interim inspection report children’s home: SC437645 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, the 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 registered person must ensure that— within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. Within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 31/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report"). The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (2)(a)(b)(c)(3) and (5))

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Requirement Due date

30/04/2018 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC437645 4

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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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Inspector

Nicola Thomas, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC437645 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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