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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 1 SC005045

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Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A large, private provider operates this home. The home offers care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2014 and holds a level 4 qualification in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 23 November 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 this inspection, the inspector 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: SC005045 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

One child has moved into the home. This was a well-planned move to support the child to develop his independence and increase confidence in living in a community. The child already living in the home was supported by staff to prepare for the change, and this helped to reduce his anxieties.

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The care of children

Children receive care from a consistent staff team. This helps children to build trusting relationships and contributes to them feeling safe and secure. Despite having different interests, both children get on well. Staff responded promptly to behaviours that had the potential to lead to bullying. Managers spoke to the child about this concern and there have been no reoccurrences.

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The care of children

Both children are making progress with their learning. Their attendance at school and college is excellent.

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The care of children

Staff seek children’s views and wishes about their care. Children’s decisions on who they want to keep in touch with is respected. One staff recently met with a child’s family member to ensure that they are kept well informed about the care and progress their loved one is making when visits are not taking place.

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The care of children

Both children living in the home are registered with local health services and are up to date with routine appointments. On one occasion, staff did not identify from a child’s plans that they required a seasonal vaccination. As a result, this was not administered within the required timeframe.

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The safety of children

Children now have individual plans in place to identify risks and behaviours that they need help with. Plans are understood by staff and children’s risks are managed well. Children are supported to take age-appropriate risks to prepare them for adult life.

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The safety of children

There have been no occasions of children going missing from home, or behaviours that required staff to use physical intervention.

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The safety of children

Managers and staff seek feedback from children about the care that they receive, and children are supported to understand how to make a complaint. Weekly meetings with children provide them with an opportunity to raise any concerns. Since the last inspection, no concerns have been reported. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 3 Managers and staff identify warning signs and work with professionals to reduce the risks of children idealising extreme ideology. This promotes children’s welfare and safety.

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The safety of children

Positive behaviours are promoted by staff, who use incentive schemes to motivate children to behave in ways that are socially acceptable. Occasionally, consequences are used to address unwanted behaviours. Clear boundaries help children to feel safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has met the requirements and recommendations raised at the last full inspection and continues to develop the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision from managers. These meetings provide staff with time to reflect on their practice and the care children receive. Staff performance is formally apprised annually. These meetings help staff to develop practice and identify further training. Staff now have training that is specific to the needs of children who live in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager ensures that the home environment is a safe place for children to live in. The garden area has been improved and plans are in place for the bathrooms to be refurbished. During the inspection, the registered manager purchased items for the home. This improved the visual appearance of communal spaces, making them feel warm and homely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers are motivated and dedicated to supporting children and the staff who care for them. They understand children’s early childhood experiences. Care plans are child focused and individual to each child’s needs. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/12/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each child’s day-to-day health and well-being needs are met. In particular, the registered manager should ensure that actions identified within children’s health assessments are reviewed on admission and outstanding actions are identified and completed within expected timescales. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 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: 2nd Floor, Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: This home is a partnership and does not have an appointed responsible individual.

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Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005045 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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Inspector

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