Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 1 SC357133 Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

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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 private provider. It provides care for up to three children who experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in March 2007, and the manager registered on 24 November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2024 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Good 03/08/2021 Full Good 04/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a positive relationship with the staff, who understand them well. The staff are child centred and put the child’s needs first. The child said, ‘I love living here; the staff are really good.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health. Staff support the child to attend all health appointments. This support enables the child to achieve good health outcomes. All appointments are up to date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attends education. The registered manager has strongly advocated for the child to access education. There is effective communication between staff and education providers. This approach supports the child’s educational attainment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time and remain in contact with their family. This encourages the child to stay connected with the people who are important to them and support their identity and sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inside of the home is clean and tidy. There has recently been some decorating in the home, and the bathroom has been refurbished. However, the external area has broken concrete and unfinished paintwork.

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

The number of missing-from-home incidents have reduced significantly for the child since the last inspection. Staff understand and follow the home’s missing-from-home policy. Staff are proactive in seeking the safe return of the child. When the child returns home they are welcomed warmly by staff.

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

The staff support the child to safely participate in a range of planned activities both inside and outside the home. Activities include swimming, water sports and trips out to theme parks. The child has also joined the army cadets.

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

Staff promote positive behaviours in the home. Positive rewards outweigh the use of consequences. The child has an incentive chart that has achievable targets. The child participates in the planning of their goals.

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

Physical intervention is used as a last resort to keep the child safe. Staff are trained in physical intervention and de-escalation techniques. The registered manager evaluates all holds used in the home and has evaluated them as being appropriate and proportionate. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 4 The home has a nurturing environment where the child’s views are acknowledged and understood. Staff carry out direct work with the child in order to explore and express their wishes, views and feelings.

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

The staff understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. They take time to talk to the child and educate them about risk. Staff support the child to find alternative strategies to de-escalate situations, reduce risk and improve their ability to keep themselves safe.

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

The child has a personalised bedroom and is settled and happy. Staff ensure that the home environment is clean, safe and welcoming. Health and safety checks are conducted regularly, and health and safety risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager are experienced in residential care and hold relevant childcare qualifications. The registered manager is working towards a Leadership and Management Qualification. They manage the home effectively and promptly address any issues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team supports the staff well. Managers have an open-door policy and are readily available to staff. The members of the staff team say they can speak to the managers at any time if they need support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with external agencies and professionals are effective and positive. The registered manager collaborates closely with professionals to ensure the child receives the right support. Significant events are shared appropriately with relevant authorities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The members of the management team ensure that local authority documentation, such as care plans, placement plans and delegated authority, is accessible to staff. This means that staff have access to background and current information for each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff attend training opportunities and complete mandatory training. Training is also encouraged in relation to gaps in learning. Examples of training undertaken include ADHD, bereavement and trauma and young people. Development through training ensures that staff can meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses effective monitoring and reviewing systems. Scheduled reviews include annual staff appraisals, while staff supervision and team meetings occur monthly. Other review mechanisms are undertaken in response to specific incidents. Existing monitoring and review systems help the manager evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the service. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well maintained internally and externally. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.3)

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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: SC357133 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Social Care Services Group, 31 Shaw Road, Stockport SK4 4AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Annabella Foulkes

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Inspector

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC357133 7 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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