Children's Home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035380 1 SC035380

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Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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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 local authority. It provides care and support for children with physical and learning disabilities. The home offers short-break care for up to five children, and one longer-term placement.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 31 October 2023

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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. 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: SC035380 2

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Outcome 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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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager has improved how children can access their home. Doors to communal areas are open so children can move freely between rooms. This has increased children’s enjoyment of their home when they have planned stays.

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Outcome from the inspection

A range of monitoring and surveillance systems are in use for some children depending on their level of need. The manager has reviewed all risk assessments and care plans to ensure that they are only in use for children who require these measures as an additional safeguard. This ensures that children have the right level of support from staff throughout their stay.

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Outcome from the inspection

Team meetings and a development day have focused on staff understanding the impact of depriving children of their liberty and how consent should be obtained. Staff now have the knowledge and skills to plan appropriately for children’s stays. Staff have developed a greater insight into their practice and children’s rights. The registered manager said this is having a positive impact when children stay at the home.

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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager raises appropriate challenge with professionals when this is needed. For one child, this means that they no longer sleep in a specially designed bed when this is not required. This creates an environment closer to that of the children’s home when they come to stay.

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Outcome from the inspection

There have not been any incidents of physical intervention being used to manage the behaviour of children. The registered manager has developed a new template for recording incidents should they occur. This is to ensure that there is a focus on children’s views and observations of children after an incident takes place.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff take part in frequent and reflective conversations with their line managers. Supervision provides staff with opportunities to focus on their practice, professional development and safeguarding. This better supports staff to reflect on the children’s experience of their time in the home and how this can be improved.

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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager and the staff team have worked well together and have met the requirements raised at the full inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035380 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/02/2023 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good 26/02/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035380 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on- Tees, Cleveland TS18 1LD

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Inspector

Joanne Wallis, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035380 5 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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