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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC369825 1 SC369825

p.1

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by the local authority and offers care and accommodation for two young people who have experienced childhood instability leading to trauma and associated complex behaviours.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 16 September 2020, Ofsted completed an assurance visit and found serious shortfalls in how staff protected young people and how their care was planned. The shortfalls left young people at risk of harm and impacted on their experiences and outcomes. The assurance visit resulted in two compliance notices being issued.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At this monitoring visit, it was found that the registered manager has made progress regarding the two compliance notices and five requirements have been met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Two young people continue to live in the home. At the time of the assurance visit, one of the young people was staying at the local authority’s training flat. After the assurance visit, the registered manager raised concern about a new risk in the community. This enabled the team around the young person to plan an earlier return to the home. This kept him safe from potential harm. A senior leader in the local authority commented that the professionals have learned from the shortfalls that resulted in compliance notices being served. As a service, they have improved their communication and joint working. This is improving experiences for young people.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The quality of young people’s risk assessments has improved. The registered manager has included clear guidance for staff; particularly in respect to managing young people who are missing from home. When staff have become aware of a new risk, such as a breach of internet safety, they have acted promptly to manage the situation. This has included staff updating the risk assessment and the registered manager putting additional measures in place. This ensures that staff supervise young people when they are playing on their gaming consoles and monitor their Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC369825 2 appropriate online activity. Staff demonstrate that they are aware of the risks for both young people living in the home and their responsibilities to keep young people safe.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff engage young people in discussions about things that are important to their welfare and well-being. They talk about friends and relationships, risks of exploitation via internet sites, dangers from cannabis use and how to stay physically and mentally well. Staff have improved their recording of these conversations to demonstrate their role in helping young people to learn how to stay safe.

p.2

This monitoring visit

One young person attends school and continues to make good progress. The registered manager is actively pursuing training opportunities for the young person who is currently not receiving education. The registered manager demonstrates good networking to identify the correct provision to meet this young person’s needs.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Young people have not been involved in any serious incidents, including significant missing-from-home episodes, since the assurance visit. The police and a senior leader within the local authority confirmed that there has been no escalation of risk levels. One young person’s risk of gang membership has reduced.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager supports and motivates his team through their supervision sessions. Following the assurance visit, he spoke to staff about the actions required to resolve the identified shortfalls. This has improved staff’s engagement with young people and how they evidence the work they are doing. Staff have also completed modern slavery training, which has highlighted the risk of exploitation for young people through county lines. Staff have the skills to identify and act to safeguard young people living in the home who are at risk.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are committed to the young people. There are positive interactions between staff and both young people. One young person maintains contact with staff by telephone when he is out. Staff use the calls to support and encourage him. This helps him to return home safely and on time.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/07/2018 Full Good 27/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC369825 3

p.2

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City of Stoke-on-Trent, Swann House, Boothen Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 4SY

p.3

Inspector

Joanna Warburton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC369825 4 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.

p.3

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4