Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Today Children‟s Services

Inspection report children’s home: 2498911 1 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 children’s home is managed and run by a partnership and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in December 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2498911 2

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children 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, two children have been discharged to their families. Although one discharge was not planned, both children were supported extremely well by the staff at the home, who remain in regular contact and continue to offer support. Both children made good progress, including improved attendance at school, development of independence and social skills and improvement in the quality of time spent with families and friends. One child made significant progress in accessing and using public transport. The manager has received positive comments from families and professionals about the care the children received and the progress they made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the inspection, one younger child was living at the home. This is an adjustment for some of the staff team who are more used to working with older children. The care provided was well planned and specific to his needs but is based on intuition rather than being underpinned by any formal training, such as work with children who may have suffered early childhood trauma.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child was making good progress particularly at school, and teachers reported that he is more settled and ready to learn. However, the manager has not yet made formal links with the school staff who work specifically with him, to share information and strategies to manage his behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child told the inspector that he likes living at the home, enjoys the new and exciting activities he is trying, some for the first time, and playing games on his games console. He is eager to meet again with friends and family, and staff are trying to facilitate this in a venue which would be safe and positive for everyone.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The reports written by the independent visitor are detailed and, although on occasion are repetitive, they provide a good overview of the progress that children are making. The visitor usually talks to children, and the recommendations made are helpful to the manager in improving the quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has completed an internal monitoring report for the previous six months. Although this is largely descriptive, it provides a good summary of the progress made by children and sets out analysis and recommendations for actions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No child has gone missing from the home in the last six months, and staff are aware of what action to take should this happen. Staff have undertaken age-appropriate key work sessions with the child regarding stranger danger and road safety, and he could easily answer questions about online safety and the restrictions imposed to keep him safe while playing on his games console. Inspection report children’s home: 2498911 3 Since the last inspection, there have been five incidents of restraint. The records are very detailed and include extensive reflection by the manager and updates to the care plan and risk assessments to prevent or minimise the need for restraint. At the time of the inspection, restraint levels are reducing as staff begin to gain a better understanding of the child’s needs as they get to know him. The manager has also reflected that staff may require some training on the use of safe touch, in case the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

child is seeking this through the incidents of restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has received one complaint and made one appropriate notification to Ofsted, both of which were dealt with effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have worked effectively with a range of professionals and external agencies to improve the quality of care at the home, including providing opportunities for one child to work with Unity radio station and make a live broadcast.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the recommendations made at the last inspection. Inspection report children’s home: 2498911 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role that they play in the training and development of staff in the home (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11). This is with particular reference to providing training on working with younger children who may have suffered early childhood trauma and how to practise safe touch.  The registered person should take the initiative in identifying others who must play a part for their children and engage with those relevant people proactively, advocating for the children in their care (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7). In particular, liaison with the child’s school staff should take place to develop consistent strategies and share information.

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2498911 5

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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

Helen Humphreys, Social Care HMI Inspection report children’s home: 2498911 6 to 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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