Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC025712 1 SC025712

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a voluntary organisation. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2016.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 December 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 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. The inspector has 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: SC025712 2

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Findings from this 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

On 28 March 2023, Ofsted received information that the registered manager, staff and children from this home had moved into another home. The home is owned by the same voluntary organisation, and the move was necessary while their home was being refurbished.

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The care of children

The arrangements for this move were found to be satisfactory. The children will remain at this home, and there are no plans for them to return to their former home.

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The care of children

This inspection was carried out at the children’s new home.

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The care of children

The children reported that they were very happy in their new home, which was familiar to them as they had visited and stayed overnight previously. They enjoy a good relationship with the staff, who they said were kind, helpful and very supportive.

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The care of children

All children attend school, and the staff have advocated to ensure that children receive the support and guidance that they need to make progress. One child is on target to achieve good GCSE results. The manager, together with the placing authority, is exploring possible further education opportunities that will meet her needs. The manager has good relationships with the heads of the schools the children attend, which has ensured that in times of crisis, the children have maintained their school places.

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The care of children

The staff have positive working relationships with a range of multi-agency partners who support them in their work and provide immediate support in times of crisis and ongoing guidance to ensure that children’s specific needs are met.

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The care of children

Staff support contact arrangements, either by providing supervision or transport.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff are managing some difficult, high-risk situations well to ensure that they keep the children safe. Children are always supervised.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the children’s behaviours and what the triggers are that would put them at risk. These are set out in individual and detailed safety plans.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, there has been no need to physically hold a child or use any consequences. One child made an allegation that was later retracted. Following Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC025712 3 this, the manager has investigated, arranged for additional training for all the staff and contacted the local authority designated officer to discuss the management of any further allegations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has more than sufficient staff, as the move has led to the amalgamation of two staff teams. The children and most of the staff will remain at this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The quality of the external monitoring visit and report is very good, and the visitor spends time with the children and considers their views, wishes and feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff reported that they feel well supported, have access to a range of training opportunities, including the level 3 diploma course, and receive regular reflective supervision to help them in their work. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC025712 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/07/2021 Full Good 29/10/2019 Full Good 11/09/2018 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC025712 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle SK8 1JE

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Inspector

Helen Humphreys, His Majesty’s Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC025712 6 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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