Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 1 SC008608 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a partnership. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2001

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Information about this children’s home

There were no children living in the home at the time of this one-day inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 28 February 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2023 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good 10/04/2019 Full Good 02/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since September 2022, the home has been used to provide emergency bridging placements. At the time of the inspection, there were no children living in the home. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of this home and into other homes provided by the same organisation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move in or out of the home, the manager ensures that the best possible planning takes place. Staff assist in the planning by arranging visits to help children prepare for moving to the home. This means that children are welcomed into their new home sensitively. As a result of this, children have a positive experience, and any anxieties are eased.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to take part in day-to-day decisions about their lives. Staff help children to understand the decisions that have been made about their care. Children are enabled to voice their views, feelings and wishes. Staff carry out direct work with children; however, this does not always take place regularly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to take part in education and attend extra-curricular activities. They enable children to explore their hobbies and interests. This means that children are learning, developing social skills and having positive experiences.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff know the children’s risks and understand them. They work with other professionals to identify and assess risks for children. As a result of this, there have been no incidents since the last inspection, and children’s risks have significantly reduced.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff support children to safely manage their behaviour and difficult feelings. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted in the home. Staff use reward systems to promote and reward children’s positive behaviour. This is effective and helps to develop children’s self-esteem.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There are clear systems to manage health and safety in the home. Children and staff regularly practice evacuating the building in case of a fire. Therefore, everyone knows how to respond in an emergency.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home environment is safe and secure; it is homely and meets children’s needs. However, when children move on, repairs to their bedrooms are not responded to promptly.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff receive a robust training package. This ensures that staff are well equipped for their roles, especially to recognise safeguarding concerns. One staff member said, ‘Training is really good; it is helping me to develop in my role.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a qualified and experienced manager. He leads by example and has high aspirations for children. He has high expectations of the staff team. One staff member said, ‘He is a really good manager. He works towards our individual strengths; he has guided me towards completing a therapy course.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive regular supervision. Supervision sessions are supportive and reflective. They focus on staff development and practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that the home is staffed and resourced to meet the needs of the children. Children are cared for by a core staff team from their previous homes. This ensures that children receive care from familiar staff who know them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has conducted a location risk assessment. This is regularly updated to take into consideration the local risks and hazards. The manager has consulted with external agencies and appropriately assessed external risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed positive working relationships with professionals. The manager and staff understand the importance of effective partnership working. This contributes to children’s positive experiences in the home. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘They have cared for [name of child] really well, they have supported them to feel as part of a family.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any wear, tear or damage in children’s bedrooms is quickly repaired. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19)  The registered person should ensure that planned direct work with children takes place more regularly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.14)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 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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Inspector

Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008608 7 regulates and 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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