Children's home run by Together For Children Sunderland

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2613157 1

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Together for Children Sunderland Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A limited company operates and manages this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or social difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The home registered with Ofsted in October 2020 and has not been inspected. Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this visit was carried out off site. The visit was undertaken to investigate potential breaches of regulations, after information was shared with Ofsted in notifications that indicated a potential risk of harm to children. The visit included a review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with children, staff and relevant professionals. Following this visit, we found no serious or widespread concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Children develop positive relationships with staff and other children in the home. Staff carefully plan children’s transitions into the home, helping them to settle quickly. The manager completes impact risk assessments ahead of any new admission to ensure that the mix of children living together is appropriate. As a result, there are no incidents involving the children, for example bullying, missing- from-home episodes or physical interventions. This helps the children to have positive experiences while living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Children benefit from targeted key-work sessions that provide them with opportunities to discuss any worries or concerns with staff. This helps to better protect children and support their development. As a result, risks are reducing for children in some areas.

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This monitoring visit

Children contribute to their care planning by sharing their views, wishes and feelings with staff. This informs how staff plan and deliver care and support to children. This Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2613157 2 helps children to feel valued. A child commented, ‘I love the staff, It’s the best home I have ever been in.’

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This monitoring visit

Children stay connected with people who are important to them, such as friends and family, where it is safe to do so and in line with government guidance. Staff follow children’s care plans to support these arrangements which ensures consistency for children. This promotes children’s identity needs as well as supporting their emotional well-being. The manager has not ensured that all staff have received training in administering medication. There was a medication error where a child received the incorrect medication. The child did not come to harm because of the error; however, the manager recognised the need to complete a review of medication processes to prevent further incidents from occurring. This helps to reduce the risk of errors occurring when medication is administered to children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has developed good monitoring systems. He shares his findings with senior leaders who provide additional scrutiny of staff practice. Together they understand the needs of the service and make improvements to the quality of care that children receive. This provides children with consistent care, improving their outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2613157 3

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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, the 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that all staff administering medication are suitably trained. 5 April 2021

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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 registration.

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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: Together for Children Sunderland Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Stanfield Business Centre, Addison Street, Sunderland SR2 8SZ Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2613157 4 Responsible individual: Martin Birch

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Inspector

Jacqueline Tate, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2613157 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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