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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 1 SC025417 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

This home is operated by a private partnership and registered to provide care for up to four children who may be experiencing social and emotional difficulties. Children cared for can be between the ages of seven and 17.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/08/2022 Full Good 30/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 3

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outstanding

Children are thriving and happy in this home. One child said, ‘I didn’t know what to expect [before moving in], but it’s better than I could’ve hoped for really, better than home in some ways.’ Another child said, ‘I like it here, I can speak to any of them [staff], I wouldn’t change anything’. Children feel supported and understood.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers diligently consider whether this is the best home for a child before they move in. This includes careful consideration of how the needs of the children already living in the home will be managed alongside the needs of the child who might move in. When a child is moving into, or out of this home, managers create a meticulous plan to gradually support them with the transition. Children receive excellent support during big life changes.

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outstanding

The children are all making remarkable, sustained progress due to the care they are receiving. Children are flourishing in all areas of their development, but particularly in relation to their social skills. One parent said, ‘There’s a massive difference in him [the child]. I’m so proud of him and the staff too for what they’ve done’. Another parent said, ‘He [the child] seems more mature, more independent. That’s because the staff have helped him to understand things better’. Staff support children’s progress by setting and monitoring achievable goals.

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outstanding

Staff are passionate about supporting children’s opportunities to learn. When children are at risk of exclusion from school, staff work hard to understand and overcome their individual barriers to learning. Staff advocate strongly on behalf of children and ensure their views are heard in relation to their education. Staff also help children to access a wide variety of opportunities such as work experience, voluntary work in the community and university open days. Staff help to expand children’s horizons and, as a result, children become more confident in their aspirations for the future.

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outstanding

Staff use innovative approaches to support children to learn about the world around them. Staff use a variety of resources such as interactive role play, informative videos and they call on their own life experiences to help children learn about important social issues. Staff also regularly invite other expert professionals to spend time with children to share their knowledge. Children learn how to make positive choices.

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outstanding

Staff take a consistently empathetic, non-judgemental approach with the children they care for. Staff have completed training in relation to attachment theory and therapeutic parenting approaches. This ensures that staff are always sensitive to the trauma children have experienced and how this may impact on their behaviour and emotional well-being. This approach helps staff to provide children with personalised care that suits their specific needs. As a result, children enjoy a supportive Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 4 environment in which they feel safe to develop positive, trusting relationships with staff.

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outstanding

Children benefit from a wide range of fun activities and experiences. Staff document and celebrate these events through the use of photos and mementos in the children’s files. Staff also encourage children to spend time learning about their local area through exciting community-based activities. Children have fun and develop a sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers have developed a strong culture of safeguarding practice in this home. Staff have completed a range of training in relation to relevant safeguarding issues. Staff have also had training which helps them to understand and manage the specific risks of the children they are looking after. Staff regularly discuss important safeguarding concerns during daily handover meetings and team meetings. Staff have the skills and knowledge to protect children from harm.

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outstanding

Each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities are identified, understood and well managed. Staff start this process early, gathering lots of information about children and speaking to those important to them before they move in. This knowledge is integrated into plans which clearly detail how children will be protected once living at this home. Children’s risk assessments are seen as working documents which progress as staff develop their relationship with children. Children are regularly spoken to about their experience of risk, and their views are integrated into their plans. Children are safer and feel safer because of the care they receive.

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outstanding

Safeguarding incidents are rare in this home. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to help children stay calm and think about even the most difficult feelings. Staff understand the approaches that work for each individual child, with a focus on humour and distraction, and share this information within the team. This helps children to experience consistency, with all staff approaching challenging situations in the same way.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers regularly consult with external experts, such as colleagues in the police and clinical specialists, to ensure staff are using the best strategies to support children. Children are involved in these conversations about how risks will be approached in the home. This creative safeguarding practice helps children to understand the rules and feel safe.

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outstanding

Staff take great pride in the children’s daily achievements. Staff document each child’s accomplishments through certificates, keepsakes and written records. Staff celebrate children’s successes through a system of rewards rather than focusing on punishment for unwanted behaviours. This creates a positive environment in which children are supported to reach and exceed their potential. Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 5 There have been occasions when children have been absent from home for short periods of time. Staff go above and beyond to bring them home safely; one staff member even came in on their day off to help look for a child. When children come home, staff work hard to understand the reasons why they have been absent and make sure that their views are considered in future planning. This child-focused approach helps to prevent future incidents.

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outstanding

It has been necessary for staff to physically hold children to protect them from harm on rare occasions. Staff see this as a last resort and understand the circumstances when physically holding a child would be appropriate. Children are supported to understand their experiences of being held and their views are always included in records. Children’s positive relationships with the people caring for them are protected and maintained.

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outstanding

Staff have developed a strong working relationship with the local police team. The local safeguarding officer regularly visits the home and spends time with the children. This has helped children to have a more positive view of the police. Staff also share information with police about the local area. Staff and police officers work together to address any arising concerns through regular, useful conversations and workshops with children. The locality of the home continues to be safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager in charge of this home is very experienced and leads by example. He calls on his extensive knowledge and experience to find imaginative and effective solutions for the children. The manager has high standards for his staff and for children. His ambitious approach has developed a motivated team who want the best for the children they are caring for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers nurture a positive, encouraging working environment. The manager knows his team well, recognising and developing the individual knowledge and skills that each member of the team contributes. The manager takes a positive, strengths-based approach and uses the skills of different team members to build the confidence of others. One member of staff said that they had been encouraged to pursue their career goals, when they hadn’t had the confidence previously. Staff feel supported and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children receive care from a consistent team, who work well together. Staff communicate effectively, using regular team meetings to share skills and important information about the children. Team members trust each other and work hard to make sure that children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has implemented highly effective systems of evaluation and oversight. He is proactive in identifying areas of improvement and quick to bring about positive change. The manager uses regular audits to make valuable improvements to the daily running of the home and to record keeping. Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 6 The registered manager has completed a useful review of the quality of care every six months. This includes direct feedback from children and those important to them. The manager evaluates the impact of the care children receive has on their lives. This helps the leadership team to improve children’s experiences of being looked after.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers use research and academic theory to inform their practice. Leaders and managers have undertaken training in ‘STAR assessments’, which is used to support and measure change. This approach has been shared with the rest of the team and embedded into their daily work. Children have also been involved in assessing their own outcomes using this method. As a result, managers can easily track children’s progress and can be sure that all work being undertaken is helpful for children. Children receive a high quality, evidence-based care package.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, high-quality supervision. Leaders and managers emphasise personal development and staff are encouraged to identify ambitious goals. As a result, staff are confident to expand their knowledge and skills. This leads to better care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers always champion the best interests of children. Managers are vocal when advocating for the rights of children and always challenge partner services and professionals when needed. Through this effective advocacy, staff make sure that children receive the best possible care and services. One parent commented, ‘They [staff] listen, they support me as well, I’ve never had that before. I can’t thank them enough’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are no recommendations or requirements as a result of this inspection.

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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: SC025417 7

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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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Children’s home details

Registered individuals: Ellen Fitzpatrick and Sean Fitzpatrick

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC025417 8 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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