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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 1 SC049189 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The provider states in their statement of purpose that this home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/03/2020 Full Good 19/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel comfortable and safe in their home. Staff are persistent in their efforts to engage children in several activities and social groups. All children have enjoyed a summer holiday away together. As a result, children have grown in confidence and are making significant progress in several areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment has been improved after seeking the views of the children. Children have begun to invest more in their bedrooms and enjoy spending time alone and with others. Photos of the children enjoying activities together also make the home feel homely. However, children do not receive the level of support they need to ensure that their bedrooms are clean.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff receive support to help them understand children’s mental health needs. As a result, children are participating more and are more able to express themselves. However, strategies advised in the children’s education, health and care plans (EHC plans) are not underpinning the day-to-day care to support children with learning difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are receiving education that meets their needs. The manager has advocated strongly for children’s best interests after seeking their views. As a result, huge progress has been made in re-integrating children into educational settings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported and encouraged to spend time with family and friends. Staff understand the positive impact of wider networks of support being available for children when they move into adulthood. Staff take steps to include children when they are moving out in line with their plans. This helps children to feel more prepared.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with building life skills. For example, children are now able to travel independently. This means that they are more likely to enjoy a range of life experiences and be more equipped when they live independently.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Multi-agency communication and planning help to keep children safe. Staff’s close working relationships with external agencies mean that support is tailored to individual children’s needs. As a result, staff can provide effective support for children who self-harm.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff have a good understanding of children’s individual risks. Risk management plans are reviewed and updated regularly. When children go missing from the home, staff actively look for them and are creative at minimising future risks. This helps children to be safe and at less risk of exploitation. Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 4 Bullying is not accepted in or out of the home. The manager has acted quickly to address any concerns and ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place. This means that children feel listened to and safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive behaviour is encouraged and staff have well-developed strategies in place to support children. This means that children benefit from clear boundaries and are supported to understand what behaviour is safe and acceptable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is qualified and experienced. She makes an effort to develop the skills and knowledge of the staff and motivates her team. As a result, the staff team has remained stable and committed to caring for the children. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘It is the sheer time, commitment and consistency that staff have given to [name of child] that has enabled him to make the progress he has.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the events in the children’s lives and is a strong advocate. She has challenged other services when necessary to ensure that decision-making considers the views of the children. The manager has also sought an independent advocate for children when necessary. This means that children feel heard and that their views are important.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have the skills and knowledge to care for children. Staff receive regular training and have encouraged children to also take part in learning opportunities. However, staff are not consistent in their knowledge of how to support children with learning difficulties.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is visited monthly by an independent person. The manager has also completed a review of the quality of care. However, feedback is not always requested or reflected on. This is a missed opportunity to seek a more holistic view of the care provided and make positive changes that can have an impact on the children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Other professionals speak highly about the level of care provided. One professional said, ‘Without this placement I am convinced that we may have lost [name of child] and he would never have found himself.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that managers and staff make the best use of feedback from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand and implement the strategies advised in children’s EHC plans to support children with learning difficulties. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4)  The registered person should ensure that children are supported in line with individual needs to have a clean bedroom. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: SC049189 6

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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, Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Inspectors

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Kerri Lynch-Mahoney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC049189 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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