Children's home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456710 1 SC456710

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Stockton on Tees Borough Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is currently in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the responsible individual’s response to a provider-led investigation (PLI) requested by Ofsted. The focus of the PLI was the review of the actions taken by leaders and managers with regard to the safeguarding concerns identified in a notification sent to Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last visited this home in January 2020 and completed a full inspection. This monitoring visit took place during a period of national restrictions due to the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The visit comprised of on- and off-site inspection activities. These included discussions with children, staff and managers, and the review of children’s case file records and documents.

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This monitoring visit

Initial safeguarding concerns indicated that staff did not follow the home’s child protection and safeguarding procedures. As a result, there was a delay in reporting a suspicion of abuse to relevant agencies and safeguarding managers. This potentially placed a child at risk of serious harm.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual completed a full investigation into this matter. The practice shortfalls identified as part of this investigation have been addressed. Leaders and managers have used this investigation to reflect on lessons learned and have taken steps to improve safeguarding practice. This response provides Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456710 2 reassurance that the provider has taken these concerns seriously and has acted to prioritise the safety and protection of children.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has devised an action plan that sets out how all staff will be supported to fully understand the home’s child protection procedures. This includes what actions they must take to keep children safe. This approach to supporting staff to understand the importance of responding appropriately to child protection concerns helps them to keep children safe. This means that staff know how to respond to any risks to children’s safety and welfare.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have now undertaken formal supervision with all members of staff. These sessions provided the opportunity for staff to share any concerns about how to safeguard children and manage risks to their safety. Consequently, leaders and managers were able to confirm that staff have the knowledge they need to protect children from harm and to manage any allegations of abuse.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and deputy manager have reviewed children’s risk assessments. This means that any child protection concerns or risks to their safety are now clearly identified. As a result, staff have all of the relevant information required to support them to manage and reduce risks to children’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

The outcome of this monitoring visit is that the registered provider has responded appropriately to the concerns identified by Ofsted.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/01/2020 Full Good 16/01/2019 Full Outstanding 08/01/2018 Full Outstanding 17/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456710 3

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton on Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland TS18 1LD

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Inspector

Debbie White, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456710 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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