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

Inspection report children’s home: SC381085 1 SC381085 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 young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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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

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home and returned to live with their parents. One new young person has moved into the home. Detailed information gathered prior to the young person moving in was used to inform an initial impact risk assessment. This assessment identified that the placement is appropriate for meeting the young person’s needs, and detailed the actions that may be needed in order to reduce any risk-taking behaviour.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recognise that education is invaluable to young people’s lives. However, when young people are struggling to commit to their education, staff sometimes let them stay in bed until lunchtime.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to be in good health. They are registered with primary healthcare and specialist providers. This ensures that they can access services and receive treatment without undue delays. Appropriate arrangements are in place for the safe Inspection report children’s home: SC381085 2 management of medicines, to promote the safety and well-being of young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of incidents of young people going missing from care since the last inspection. Detailed records have been maintained, and reflect a rigorous response to managing these absences. Staff are diligent in their efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of young people by searching and contacting their families, friends and known addresses. Staff will contact the police and work collaboratively with them and any other relevant persons to promote a young person’s safe return. Young people have access to an independent person to speak to on their return home. This helps to consider any information that may help to protect them from going missing again.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people sometimes display challenging behaviour, but staff are able to manage this effectively and encourage interactions that are more positive. Staff are trained in intervention strategies and there have been no restraints since the last inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to work closely with social workers and families to promote contact that is positive and safe. This ensures that young people continue to build relationships and attachments with those significant to them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a safe and secure environment as a result of the routine checking of electrical, gas and fire equipment and emergency evacuations. Thorough recruitment and vetting procedures are in place and visitors to the home are supervised appropriately. These practices ensure that young people are protected from people who may pose a risk to them.

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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 July 2016. Staff confirm they are well supported, and receive regular supervision. Staff have completed a range of appropriate training courses in order to develop their knowledge, skills and professional practice. New staff complete an induction programme and all staff either have or are working towards the required qualification. This means that the staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the needs of young people in their care.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective and meaningful partnerships between the staff, police and other safeguarding professionals promotes young people’s safety and welfare.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has responded positively to the three requirements and two recommendations reported at the last inspection. The manager has now made sure that the training rota is up to date; regulation 44 reports now contain greater evaluation; and the children’s guide contains all information pertaining to the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC381085 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2017 Full Good 24/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 19/01/2016 Full Requires improvement

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment, and help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8(2)(iv)(x)) 15/03/2018

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC381085 4 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 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: SC381085 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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