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

Information about this children’s home

A large private provider operates this home. The home offers care and accommodation for up to five children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and/or associated complex behaviours. The aim is to provide a warm, friendly, safe and supportive environment based on nurturing principles.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is undertaking her level 5 qualification in leadership and management and was on maternity leave at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 21 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not judged

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: 2526875 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Children receive tailored care from staff, who they have built trusting relationships with. Because of this, children have continued to make progress and have not been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The care of children

Staff have followed care plans to help children to stay in touch with their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have supported children to make telephone and video calls to their families when COVID-19 restrictions have been in place. As a result, the children keep the links with people who are important to them.

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The care of children

Children are encouraged to participate in weekly children’s meetings, and key-work and reflective sessions with staff. Children told the inspector that they are listened to by staff and have influence in how their home is run. For example, children have all been able to personalise their bedrooms, and are planning a fun day out for Halloween.

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The care of children

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have continued to maintain good partnership working with essential services to help ensure that children’s holistic care needs continue to be met. For example, staff have stayed in touch with the on- site school, the therapists and children’s social workers.

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The care of children

Staff work closely with the school and continued to promote children’s education during COVID-19. For example, staff have helped new admissions to the home to transition into the school. This has enabled children to build up enough confidence to attend school full time. As a result, children are being supported to achieve their full educational potential.

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The care of children

As COVID-19 guidelines have changed, children have been supported in engaging in varied activities, including going to the cinema, skating and bowling, going on walks and going to the gym.

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The care of children

The home environment is welcoming, homely and warm and provides the children with a sense of pride.

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The safety of children

There are risk assessments and behaviour support plans in place which the staff follow. These plans ensure that staff have a range of interventions to support children in managing their emotional needs. As a result, children feel better protected. Assurance visit report: 2526875 3 Staff are supported by the in-house therapists and have continued to access training and weekly team meetings throughout the pandemic. This helps staff to better support children.

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The safety of children

There has been a decrease in the number of incidents of physical intervention. However, when staff are required to physically intervene to safeguard a child, the incident is well recorded. The staff and children are all offered a debriefing session. The staff take learning from these sessions and from group reflections with the therapists and use this knowledge to develop their practice.

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The safety of children

Throughout the pandemic, staff have continued to sustain effective communication with other professionals to ensure that children stay safe. This good communication means that all professionals involved in a child’s care are well informed about the child’s progress and their areas of difficulty.

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Leaders and managers

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager has ensured that staff have continued to receive support and opportunities to develop their practice.

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Leaders and managers

There is good management oversight and support for the staff during a period of leave for the manager. As a result, the staff and the children have received consistent support.

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Leaders and managers

Throughout the period of COVID-19 staff have continued to have access to in-house and online training. These learning opportunities have enabled staff to increase their knowledge, skills and competence in their residential childcare roles.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is child focused and models positive practice to the staff, for example, advocating for services for the children. This has helped to ensure that children achieve and make progress.

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Leaders and managers

Staff have been provided with structured supervision, weekly team meetings and reflective sessions. These varied meetings enable staff to reflect on their practice and improve outcomes for children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has been able to make difficult decisions and challenge other professionals, to ensure stability and security for the children in the home.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has systems in place to oversee staff development and the children’s progress. However, there are occasions when case files are not routinely updated. Assurance visit report: 2526875 4

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Recommendations

 Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider : The Partnership Of Care Today

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Noel Cooper, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2526875 5 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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