Children's home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 1 SC362170

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned. At the time of this visit, no children were living in the home. The home is registered to provide care for three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

A new manager, who is suitably qualified and experienced, has been appointed since the last inspection. They registered with Ofsted in May 2024, and they are registered to manage two homes.

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This monitoring visit

No children have lived at the home since February 2023 when the only child had a planned move. The provider temporarily ceased operating the home at this time due to staffing issues. As a result, Ofsted imposed a three-month condition on the provider’s registration in October 2023. This meant that the provider must inform Ofsted of its intention to admit children three months before a child will commence living at the home. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to establish if the home has made suitable arrangements for the home to resume operating.

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This monitoring visit

The home is warm and welcoming. It is furnished and decorated to a high standard. The manager has plans for children to personalise their bedrooms by picking the paint colours for the walls and choosing soft furnishings of their choice. The garden is a nice place for children to play and spend time with staff. This will help children to settle and create a sense of security and belonging.

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This monitoring visit

A new staff team has been recruited to care for children. Most staff have worked in other homes in the company and are familiar with company policies and procedures. New staff have been safely recruited. Two staff have a qualification relevant to the residential care of children, and three are enrolled. The manager plans to ensure staff work together as a team through regular team meetings. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 2 Managers have ensured that staff have completed training they need to provide safe, quality care to children. This includes face-to-face training in behaviour management, therapeutic approaches and first aid as well as online training in medication, health and safety and fire safety.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has a clear plan for how children’s transitions to the home will be well managed. This includes sharing the children’s guide with children and consulting with staff before admitting children to the home. Thorough assessments of children’s needs will take place, and their risks and vulnerabilities will be assessed.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have worked hard to ensure that the home is a safe place for children to live. They have ensured that the home is safely located. Risk assessments ensure the health and safety of children and staff. A recently completed fire risk assessment is in place and managers are in the process of completing recommended actions.

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This monitoring visit

A decision has been made for the three-month condition to be lifted.

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This monitoring visit

One statutory requirement made at the last inspection has been met. An independent visitor is appointed. The visitor submits reports for other homes in the company. These are thorough, detailed reports that routinely contain comments from children

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/11/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 3 11/05/2021 Full Good 28/10/2019 Interim Not judged 19/03/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House, Parkhall Road, Longton, Stoke on Trent ST3 5XA

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Inspector

Karen Gillingwater, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC362170 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 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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