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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005066 1 SC005066

p.1

Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2022 and holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 5 February 2020

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: SC005066 2

p.1

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.

p.2

The care of children

At the time of this inspection, no children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, five children have moved into and out of the home. Three children moved back to their regular provisions, one child moved to a home that could meet his needs and one child returned home to the care of family members.

p.2

The care of children

This service provides short-term care for children away from their regular provision. The admission of new children nearly always occurs at short notice due to them experiencing crisis in their lives. For some children, the focus of this placement is to immediately reduce specific high-risk behaviours and keep them safe. The staff team supports them to re-engage in positive routines, reduce high-risk behaviours, and focus on what they want to achieve in the future.

p.2

The care of children

Although children are admitted during a challenging period in their lives, they continue to receive education and learn new things. Considering the short length of time that they stay in this home, some children have made progress across different aspects of their development. For example, one child told the inspector, ‘Being here really helped me in getting ready for independence.’

p.2

The care of children

Children have access to effective healthcare services, which enables them to maintain their health and receive treatment when necessary. The arrangements for dealing with medication are safe and ensure that children receive any prescribed medication that is important to their health.

p.2

The care of children

Children enjoy regular and positive time with their families and significant people. This sustains their important relationships and keeps them connected to the people who are important to them.

p.2

The safety of children

The manager ensures that staff have a good understanding of their duties in promoting children’s welfare. Staff work with children individually to address any vulnerabilities and risks. Detailed written risk assessments provide staff with good advice and guidance to help them support children’s vulnerabilities. Consequently, children receive appropriate support that keeps them safe.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff manage challenging behaviour effectively by helping children to learn how to deal with difficulties and conflict in their lives. There have been no incidents of restraint since the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005066 3 Children live in a safe environment. There are effective health and safety systems in place. Regular fire drills ensure that children know how to exit the building safely and quickly in case of an emergency.

p.2

The safety of children

When appointing staff, managers follow safer recruitment practice guidelines. This means that only those deemed suitable to work with vulnerable individuals look after children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home continues to be managed by a suitably qualified manager, who has been in post since February 2022. Staff receive appropriate supervision and training to enhance their knowledge base in support of their role.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has effective monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care. This monitoring assists leaders and managers to identify areas of development for the home to improve the care that children receive.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including parents, schools and the placing authority. This ensures that children receive coordinated care. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005066 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2020 Full Good 12/02/2019 Full Good 31/01/2018 Full Good 06/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005066 5

p.4

Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC005066 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.

p.5

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 .

p.6

Inspector

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6