Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC369840 1 SC369840

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Registered provider: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home is registered to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2023. He is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke with one child and briefly saw the other child.

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Inspection date: 4 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 4 February 2025

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 managers. The inspector has 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: SC369840 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

The same two children have continued to live in the home since the full inspection. There are warm and affectionate relationships between staff and children. The children enjoy going out on activities with staff. One child said they have a favourite adult they can talk to.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have ensured that requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection are met. Children are now registered with health services and staff work well with a range of organisations to ensure that children’s health needs are responded to appropriately. Staff support children with their emerging health needs by quickly taking them to specialist appointments. Staff work effectively with clinicians to support children’s emotional well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress with their education. Both children now have access to education that meets their needs. One child has maintained full attendance at school. Another child is now on roll with an education provider and is receiving tuition at home. They have developed aspirations for their future and have a place on a college course of their choice which will begin in the new academic year.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a deputy manager has been appointed. The manager and deputy work together as a team to monitor all aspects of children’s care. New systems have been introduced to identify and address concerns. Managers now have good oversight of the home and take action to address issues as they arise. This comprehensive oversight makes sure that all aspects of care are monitored and the running of the home is maintained to a good standard.

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Findings from the inspection

Communal areas are homely and some areas have been redecorated. Children’s bedrooms are nicely personalised. However, the stair carpet remains threadbare and the bathroom fittings need replacing. Managers gave assurances that funds were secured to replace these items and this work is imminent.

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Findings from the inspection

Children participate in a variety of activities that support positive relationships and their confidence. Children have been on holiday with staff and they spend time with staff going ice skating, playing pool and swimming. Staff arrange activities to develop children’s social skills. For example, one child attends a local youth club and plays with children of a similar age who live nearby.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk management plans, written with therapists, give staff the guidance they need to understand and support children’s complex behaviours. Staff support children to develop strategies to manage their complex emotions. Incidents when restraint has been used for one child to keep them safe are reducing because the Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC369840 3 child is better able to manage their emotions. This demonstrates that the strategies identified are being used and are effective.

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Findings from the inspection

One child’s known risk of going missing has recently escalated. The child is also at high risk of exploitation. Managers work with safeguarding agencies, including the police and social workers, and they implement agreed strategies to keep the child safe. The child’s social worker said that managers and staff ‘did everything they should have done’.

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Findings from the inspection

Children receive consistent care. The home has a stable team of core staff, most of whom have achieved a relevant qualification. Regular bank staff cover any shortfalls in staffing. Staff have access to training that helps to enhance their knowledge to support children and to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager does not notify Ofsted when there are serious incidents in the home. This compromises the regulator’s oversight of the home and the safety net for children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/06/2023 Full Good 21/09/2021 Full Good 14/01/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC369840 4

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that they notify the regulator when children with known risks of going missing and/or exploitation are away from the home for a number of days, increasing the risk of harm. 9 March 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with a clean and well-maintained environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.3) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC369840 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1HH

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Inspector

Karen Gillingwater, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC369840 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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