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

Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 1 SC008487 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Services Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes run by a partnership. It is registered to provide care for up to six children. At the time of the inspection, four children were living in the home. Two of them spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 28 July 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2019 Full Outstanding 03/07/2018 Full Good 17/10/2017 Full Good 02/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 3

p.2

outstanding

Children are happy and like living in the home. They are supported to develop positive, secure, nurturing relationships with staff who care about them and understand their individual needs. These relationships underpin the exceptional progress children make in all areas of their lives in comparison to their starting points.

p.3

outstanding

Children are listened to. Their views contribute to their day-to-day care and their voice is reflected throughout their plans. One child said, ‘Carers know me, they get me, that makes such a difference.’

p.3

outstanding

Children’s cultural heritage and identities are well supported and nurtured. Children are helped to develop a strong sense of self. They are encouraged to pursue leisure interests to further develop their confidence, self-esteem and social networks.

p.3

outstanding

Children’s emotional and physical health needs are remarkably well understood. Working closely with the in-house therapist, the team works therapeutically to support children to reflect and understand their behaviours, empowering children to develop strategies to regulate their emotions and to treat others with respect and empathy.

p.3

outstanding

Staff maintain highly effective partnerships with other services and have advocated for all children to have their educational needs met. Prior to living in the home, children did not attend education. All children now attend full-time education. This significantly improves their future options, achievements and opportunities for them to develop positive peer relationships.

p.3

outstanding

Children are supported to develop their life skills according to their individual needs. In preparation for their transition into adulthood, older children benefit from detailed independence plans. They are helped with budgeting, household chores and shopping.

p.3

outstanding

The team goes ‘above and beyond’ to creatively enhance relationships between children and people who are important to them. The team supports children and their families to rebuild and repair their relationships, meaning children benefit from stronger family relationships that remain available to them into adulthood.

p.3

outstanding

The home is decorated and furnished to an excellent standard throughout. Rooms are decorated in consultation with children and the in-house therapist, creating a calm, homely environment. Children’s artwork and photographs are displayed in communal areas and their bedrooms are personalised to reflect their tastes. This helps them to develop a sense of belonging in the home. The refurbishment of the Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 4 basement has created a comfortable, innovative and calming space for children to relax in and enjoy.

p.3

outstanding

The safety and well-being of children is paramount in the home. Children say they feel safe and know staff help them. They benefit from clear boundaries implemented by staff who work consistently to keep them safe.

p.4

outstanding

Staff are highly vigilant to children’s risks and have an excellent understanding of their needs. Robust risk management plans clearly identify children’s individual risks and include strategies for staff to follow. Children’s plans are regularly reviewed with input from the in-house therapist and demonstrate the progress they are making.

p.4

outstanding

Children are involved in age-appropriate discussions about risk. This helps them to develop their understanding of their vulnerabilities and to make safer choices. Children further develop their understanding of personal safety through access to age-appropriate training opportunities that explore key issues such as internet safety and gang cultures.

p.4

outstanding

The needs of children moving into the home are considered alongside the needs of children already living in the home. High-quality plans completed prior to children moving in identify how any risks will be safely managed.

p.4

outstanding

Staff know how to respond to children. They are able to effectively de-escalate challenging situations and distract children from incidents of aggression, going missing from home or self-harming behaviours. This has resulted in a significant reduction of high-risk behaviours for children. Following any incidents, children and staff are involved in reflective discussions to identify any learning.

p.4

outstanding

Consequences used as a response to negative behaviours are restorative. Children are supported to engage in opportunities to create positive outcomes from negative behaviours, for example helping to repair damage in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been a change in manager since the last inspection. The current manager was able to transition seamlessly into the role as she was previously the home’s deputy manager. She holds the relevant qualification, has high expectations of staff and is ambitious for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by a deputy manager and in-house therapist. Together, they have developed a culture that delivers positive, inspirational and innovative care for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team ensures that the home is managed effectively. Managers have exceptional oversight of the care and practice in the home. Robust monitoring Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 5 systems are in place. Development plans are detailed and reflect the home’s strengths alongside areas for further development.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Communication with partner agencies is excellent ensuring the best possible care, experiences and futures for children. Staff are proactive in appropriately challenging shortfalls from other services and holding them to account to ensure that children’s needs are being met.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers lead a strong, stable, diverse team that works consistently to deliver outstanding care to children. Staff have a range of experiences and complement each other’s strengths. They benefit from access to a range of training opportunities and quality supervisions. Staff say they are proud to work in the home and feel supported and valued. Learning from research and progression are key strengths of the organisation and staff have access to a range of development opportunities.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback about the team is overwhelmingly positive. One parent told the inspector, ‘[Name of manager] leads a brilliant team of professionals. They go the extra mile. They have made it a home for the children, and they consult them on what they want. They have regular meetings about their needs and wishes. They listen to the children and help children to make tremendous progress.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is open to continuous improvement. She regularly consults with children and stakeholders. Any feedback, alongside ongoing consultations with the in-house therapist and the learning from practice-based research, is used to further develop the service and improve outcomes and experiences for children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Minor recording discrepancies identified during the inspection were swiftly addressed by the manager. Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 6

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information in a way that is clear and not open to misinterpretation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.6

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 for children's home: SC008487 7

p.6

Registered provider:

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

p.7

Inspector

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC008487 8 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8