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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 1 SC008270 Registered provider: Partnership of Care Today Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to two children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

An experienced and qualified registered manager is in post.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/01/2023 Full Good 09/06/2021 Full Good 29/01/2020 Full Outstanding 27/02/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. These children have lived at the home since before the last inspection. Children say that they feel settled and happy living in the home and have good relationships with staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean and tidy and has a warm, homely feel. The home is personalised with photos on display of the children taking part in activities. Children are encouraged to help with household tasks, such as keeping their bedrooms tidy and helping staff to prepare and cook meals. This encourages them to take pride in their home and promotes their independence skills.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are healthy, and staff support them to attend important health appointments. When children’s emotional health declines, appointments with the appropriate professionals are organised. Children are supported by staff who understand their needs and who use a nurturing and empathetic approach. This practice has contributed to improvements in children’s mental health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is valued by staff and the manager. This has encouraged children to attend school and reach their full potential. Staff have good relationships with professionals, and there is regular communication to review children’s progress and resolve any difficulties. When children are not in education, educational activities are offered, such as art. This supports their learning and helps to keep structure and routine in their days.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to take part in a range of activities, including horse-riding, Christmas parties and attending local bonfires. Children’s individual interests are encouraged, and one child has pet rabbits that live in the home. Another child has joined the police cadets and would like to pursue a career in this sector.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to understand their own emotions and needs. For example, one child discovered a poem written about a condition they suffer with and shared this with staff. This helped them to express themselves and enhanced staff’s insight into their world. In turn, this enabled staff to adapt their practice, which has had a positive impact on the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All staff offer a nurturing and supportive approach when caring for the children. As a result, they develop a strong and trusting relationship. One child said, ‘I won’t be leaving until I am 18; this is home.’

p.3

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

Children have individual risk management plans. Staff understand and follow these plans. There have not been any serious incidents involving children, and children are safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 4 Children have meaningful relationships with staff, which means that they do not go missing from home often. When children do go missing from home, staff understand how to respond, and there is clear information in the children’s plans which explains to staff what action to take. This creates a proactive response, and children are found quickly. Staff are encouraged to read research and fact sheets about risks to children, and this has upskilled the staff team, promoting children’s safety and well- being.

p.3

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

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted within the home. Children know what is expected of them, and these expectations are discussed with them regularly in children’s meetings and on a daily basis. Children’s achievements are celebrated, and they are rewarded appropriately. Consequences are not often used; however, if they are required, they are fair and proportionate. Children are supported to understand why consequences have been given.

p.4

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

When children need to gain skills for independence, they are helped and encouraged by staff to do so through activities, and they have a clear plan which supports this. The manager and staff review this plan to track the child’s progress and adapt the plan depending on individual needs. Children are praised for their progress, and this robust approach prepares them for moving on.

p.4

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

Staff support children to have positive relationships with one another. When disagreements occur, these are well managed by staff and resolved quickly. This practice encourages children to learn the skills needed for healthy relationships.

p.4

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

Staff understand the risks associated with using the internet, and good practice is followed so that children are safe when accessing this. Good support is provided by staff so that children understand the potential risks and can keep themselves safe.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an experienced and dedicated manager in post who is ambitious for children. The manager leads by example and regularly checks in with children. Her confident hands-on approach means that she has positive relationships with the children. This encourages the children to share their thoughts and feelings. In addition, the manager recognises this as a way to monitor the effectiveness of the home and uses children’s views to identify improvements that can be made.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has an in-depth understanding of the strengths of her staff team and areas for development. She is creative when identifying opportunities for training and further learning. She recognises that this will enhance staff’s development and the quality of care and support afforded to children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff have completed mandatory training. In addition to the in-house induction that new starters receive, the manager has created a development plan that builds on this. This supports new members of staff, helps to track their progress and highlights areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 5 Research is regularly used to support staff practice. For example, research about children who have autism was recently discussed in a team meeting. This has given staff a more in-depth understanding of the children that they care for and creates a tailored approach to each child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has strong working relationships with key professionals and challenges them when required. She recently challenged the local authority when key documents were not received within an appropriate timescale. This practice supported the child to have a decision made in respect of their long-term plan.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel extremely well supported by the manager and senior members of staff. As a result, the staff team is stable and there is high morale, which in turn has created a staff team that is committed to enhancing children’s progress and experiences while in care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 6

p.5

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: SC008270 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Partnership of Care Today

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6LR

p.7

Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 8 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.

p.7

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 . 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8