Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 1 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

This privately run children’s home offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is currently absent from the home. An acting manager has been overseeing the management of the home. He has not submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 10 December 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and acting managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was carried out to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are helped to form trusting relationships with staff. One child said, ‘The staff are good, they listen to me and help me.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff consistently liaise with children’s placing authorities and escalate concerns where necessary. The interim manager is clear about the level of care and protection the home can offer, and has challenged one local authority’s suggestions to restrict a child’s liberty.

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Findings from the inspection

The interim manager and staff work closely with the children’s placing authority social workers to develop additional strategies to keep children safe. Consequently, there has been a reduction in children going missing from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk management plans and strategies to reduce risk to children are in place and regularly reviewed. Staff respond swiftly to incidents of concern and take appropriate action, such as locality searches and contact with known friends and relatives. On their return, children are supported to speak with someone who is independent of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There are occasions where staff use sanctions as a way of addressing behaviours that involve incidents where a child has been placed at risk. This does not meet the trauma-informed parenting model that the home aims to deliver. Furthermore, some sanctions imposed do not provide children with an opportunity to understand their behaviour or how their behaviour impacts on themselves or others.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care is planned in partnership with their placing authority and external professionals. Plans are regularly reviewed, and targets updated in accordance with the changing needs of the children. However, records evidencing the work undertaken with children in relation to their planned targets are limited.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s records are not always written in child-friendly language, and some behaviour management records include the personal views of staff members. This is not helpful for children and does not consider the impact on them when they read their records.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s attendance at school has improved. This is because children now understand that school is part of their daily routine, and it is an important factor in the progress they make in the home. However, children’s journeys to school are hindered by the lack of staff who can drive. For one child, this means a three-hour Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 3 journey by public transport each day and a six-hour journey for the staff supporting the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to maintain contact with the important people in their lives. Suitable arrangements for family time are in place. Families are provided with regular feedback about the progress their child makes.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are consulted and their views contribute to the care they receive. Weekly children’s meetings take place and provide an opportunity for children to have their views and opinions listened to and acted on.

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Findings from the inspection

The internal monitoring of the home is effective. The current checks provide a good analysis of the issues arising in the home and enable patterns and trends to be quickly identified.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings provide staff with the opportunity to explore children’s plans and consider the effectiveness of individualised safeguarding strategies. This means that when issues are identified, there is a collaborative approach to developing plans for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The home provides spacious accommodation, with modern decor and furnishings. The interim manager ensures that swift action is taken to address any damage in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/06/2024 Full Good 17/10/2023 Full Good 25/01/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff do not rely on the use of sanctions to address children’s behaviours, and that the home consistently implements a trauma-informed practice approach. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14)  The registered person should ensure that the structure of the staff team includes staff who can drive, in order to avoid excessive public transport journeys to school and appointments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15)  The registered person should ensure that staff use appropriate and sensitive language in children’s records. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19)  The registered person should ensure that staff work closely with the placing authority and work collaboratively to undertake direct work with children to help

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Recommendations

them understand their lives. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.14) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 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: 31 Shaw Road, Stockport SK4 4AG

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Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680502 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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