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

Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 1 SC021683 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2020.

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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: 20 September 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: SC021683 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/09/2023 Full Good 27/02/2023 Full Good 04/11/2021 Full Good 05/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of this home to live with family members. Two children who remain in the home are settled and making progress in areas that are specific to their different needs. This is largely due to the positive relationships that are enjoyed by staff and children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in harmony with each other and learn how to accept their differences without prejudice. Relationships between staff and children are built on trust and respect. Because of this, children enjoy stability, which supports their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education outcomes have improved because they receive the right support and learn at a pace that is appropriate for them. As a result, both children have overcome barriers to learning and attend school and college routinely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and well-being are promoted. Staff ensure that statutory health assessments are completed for all children, and they help each child to attend all required medical appointments. Medication is stored safely, and records are maintained on the administration of medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to keep in touch with their families and friends, in line with their care needs. This is working well, and some of the children’s family time has increased.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff hold key-work sessions with the children. These sessions cover a range of topics, including road safety, education and managing emotions and anxieties. Consequently, children feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained in most areas. However, there is a hole in the wall of a child’s bedroom. This shortfall impacts negatively on a homely, welcoming environment for the child.

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

Individualised risk management plans are in place for each child. These plans help the staff to safeguard the children by identifying their risks and vulnerabilities and setting out strategies to minimise risks. Plans are reviewed and updated as required.

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

The staff provide firm boundaries and clear routines and structure. This approach helps children to feel secure and safe. Staff know children well and recognise their changing moods and potential triggers for any behaviours of concern.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff make sure that a detailed record is made that reflects a rigorous response. Staff are diligent in their efforts to locate children by searching for them and contacting friends and known acquaintances. Staff contact the Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 4 police and other relevant agencies to share information and promote the child’s safe return. Children can discuss any issues with an independent person. This gives them the opportunity to discuss the reasons why they went missing and for staff to take action to minimise the chance of this happening again in the future.

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

Children live in a physically safe environment. There are measures in place to ensure that the home is free from hazards. Regular fire drills are carried out to ensure that children know what they need to do in the event of an emergency.

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

Staff are vetted and assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. These procedures promote the safety of children by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. He is supported by a team of staff who are committed to helping children and improving their life chances and opportunities. This means that children in the home are supported by staff who strive to ensure that their experiences are positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although there have been some recent changes in the staff team, a core group of staff work with children to provide continuity of care. New staff become familiar with their role and develop the required skills and competencies through induction processes and training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they receive supervision and support, and expressed confidence in the manager. However, there is no record of the manager receiving formal supervision. This means that he has not been allowed to reflect on his practice or received feedback around his performance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training records show that staff receive regular training so that they have the skills and competencies necessary to meet the individual needs of the children. There are systems in place to ensure that training is regularly updated or refreshed. Most staff hold a level 3 diploma in residential childcare, and other members of staff are working towards their qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have formed positive relationships with a range of agencies, including the police, teachers and social workers. This collaborative approach ensures that the diverse needs of children are fully met. Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards'. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the environment in one child's bedroom. 28 October 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c)

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the manager receives formal one-to-one supervision. 28 October 2024 Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 6

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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: SC021683 7

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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

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC021683 8 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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