Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Cheshire East

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476008 1 SC476008

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Registered provider: Footsteps A Path To Change 08 Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company and provides care for up to three children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke with both children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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Inspection date: 3 October 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 3 October 2023

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: SC476008 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

Children like living in the home. They are supported to develop warm and trusting relationships with the staff. Staff take children out to new places and encourage them to try new things. One child said, ‘It’s amazing here, staff really care about me. Everything they do is for the best for me.’ This helps children to feel valued and supported.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to stay active and teach them how to take care of their health. Staff take children to planned and emergency health appointments. When further assessments are needed for children’s mental health, staff advocate to ensure that their needs are met. When waiting lists are long, staff use their own resources to support children until formal services become available. This promotes children’s physical and mental health.

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The care of children

Staff support children with their education in a way that works for each child. When children are not attending school, they are provided with informal educational activities. Staff sit with children after school to help them with their homework. This provides children with positive experiences of learning.

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The care of children

Staff take children to visit their family and provide support during these visits as needed. When children say they want to see their family more, staff share this with the child’s network to enable plans to be put into place. This encourages children to maintain important connections and better understand their family identity.

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The care of children

The home has been redecorated and is now bright and homely throughout. Children have been involved in choosing the decor and furnishings for their own bedrooms and communal areas. Children’s photos are displayed throughout the home, giving a cheerful and welcoming feeling. This helps children to develop a sense of belonging in the home.

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The safety of children

Children feel safe. Staff have a good understanding of each child’s individual needs. Risk plans and relevant documents are updated in response to emerging needs. These are useful for staff and provide strategies to use when incidents occur. This helps to keep children safe.

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The safety of children

Children are helped to talk to staff about what is going on for them. When children ask for help with personal challenges, staff respond in a child-centred and nurturing manner. This supports children to feel understood and cared for. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476008 3 Staff respond appropriately when children go missing from the home. Allegations of harm are not made often, however, when they are, they are responded to effectively.

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The safety of children

Staff work with children to help them to understand risks. They talk to each child about specific topics that are important for their safety. This helps children to respond to relevant risks in a safe way.

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The safety of children

Staff are responsive to children and skilled at de-escalating difficult situations. There have not been any incidents of children needing to be held to keep them and others safe. When children need additional support, staff advocate for the involvement of specialist services. One child said, ‘I keep making mistakes, but they won’t give up on me.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is experienced and suitably qualified. She has a good understanding of children’s needs and models positive practice for the staff team. The manager has fully addressed all the requirements set at the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a stable staff team in place. Staff have relevant experience and qualifications for their roles. Staff are knowledgeable and understand the theories that underpin their daily practice. The manager ensures that all staff receive development opportunities and training relevant to the needs of the children living in the home. Staff say that they feel well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager listens to the views of children and responds effectively when they say they want something to change. When external professionals make decisions that are not in the children’s best interests, the manager is quick to challenge them to ensure children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager’s monitoring and oversight of practice in the home have improved significantly. The manager has strengthened internal monitoring systems to ensure that these meet the needs of the children. She makes good use of independent monitoring to provide further scrutiny. This oversight promotes children’s safety and well-being and ensures that practice in the home is kept under review. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476008 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/06/2022 Full Good 22/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/05/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476008 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps A Path To Change 08 Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Landmark House, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme SK8 7BS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Davies

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Inspector

Aislinn Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476008 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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