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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 1 SC369840

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Registered provider: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by the local authority and offers care for two children and young people who have experienced early childhood instability that has led to trauma and/or associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been recruited and was registered with Ofsted in February 2023. The manager has completed the level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 21 September 2021

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

At the time of this inspection, one child lived at the home. The child moved in 11 days before the inspection visit. Before this, the home had not been operational for several months.

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The care of children

Good planning takes place when children move into the home. For example, as part of the transition plan, the child was visited by the registered manager and members of the team before visiting the home for sleepovers. This good planning allows relationships to form and the child to settle into the home with ease.

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The care of children

Staff facilitate transport to ensure that the child maintains relationships with the people that mean the most to them. This will help the child to understand his family identity and enjoy spending time with family members.

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The care of children

Efforts have been made to improve the home. As a result, the lounge is a nice and cosy space to relax. Other parts of the home still require improvement to provide the child and any new children with a clean and welcoming environment throughout.

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The safety of children

Individual risk management plans are in place, and these plans are clear. This means staff are aware of de-escalation and intervention strategies to be used to effectively support the child during times of crisis.

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The safety of children

Staff are provided with training courses specific to supporting the child with their individual needs. Because of this, staff responses to the child going missing from care are robust and effective. Staff know what procedures to follow and ensure that professional networks are informed and involved in the safe return of the child. The manager attends multi-agency meetings to discuss plans to help educate the child to remain safe. The child is being well supported.

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The safety of children

Staff support the child through direct work. The child engages in discussions with staff regarding events in the home. These include when the child is suspected of misusing cannabis. Staff encourage the child to consider alternative strategies to manage their emotions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A permanent, suitably experienced and qualified registered manager leads the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 3 The manager has monthly auditing tools that enable him to maintain effective oversight of the service. In addition to this, peer auditing takes place, where a manager from another home in the service completes an audit of the home. This provides the manager with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has a small, core staffing team that provides consistent care to the child. Most staff hold the required level diploma. The remaining staff are enrolled onto the qualification and are supported to complete this within required timescales. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2021 Full Good 14/01/2020 Full Good 20/11/2018 Full Outstanding 01/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 5

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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, 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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 the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered provider ensuring that the home is designed and furnished in a clean and homely manner, free of broken items. 8 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stoke On Trent City Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Kev Brammer, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC369840 7 inspects 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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