Children's Home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council in Tameside

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263766 1 Registered provider: Tameside Metropolitan Borough 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 provides care for up to four children who may have learning difficulties and experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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Inspection date: 25 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 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: 1263766 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 inspector spoke to two children about their experiences of living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy living in this home and are mostly making good progress. Children say that staff help them when they are worried or anxious and take care of them.

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Findings from the inspection

A new, experienced registered manager has been appointed since the last inspection. An able deputy manager supports the registered manager, and together they have significantly improved many aspects of the home. All children’s bedrooms have been decorated to their chosen style and taste. Many of the administrative processes have been updated and streamlined to improve efficiency and accessibility for staff. Monthly summaries of the children’s progress are written with the children so that they can see the progress that they are making.

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Findings from the inspection

Most of the children are over 16 years old and are allowed an appropriate level of freedom. They are encouraged to develop the skills they will need when they move into supported accommodation as they approach their 18th birthday.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children are now attending some form of education and are on target to attain good GCSE results in the summer. The manager appropriately challenges education arrangements and continues to do so when they are not sufficient for children. This has included challenging a provider about a part-time timetable and requesting funding from the local authority for additional tuition.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to see their family and friends, and some children now have improved relationships and are enjoying overnight stays and family celebrations.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff respond appropriately when children go missing from the home. They follow them, maintain communication, and liaise with their family and friends and statutory services until they are found and are safe. In response to one child going missing from the home, the manager has organised a multi-agency meeting in the hope that the agencies can work better together to keep this child safe. The manager continues to find creative ways to engage the child and support the staff to reduce missing-from-home incidents. For example, the manager has filled a bag with all the items the staff may need when they go out to look for a child, including first aid, wipes, snacks and a list of emergency telephone numbers.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been no use of restraint in the home, and some appropriate consequences have been imposed. Two complaints have been raised, which have been dealt with promptly and with good outcomes, including the upgrading of the Wi-Fi in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263766 3 Staff say that they like working at the home and remarked on the positive team spirit and support from the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff are experienced, and most staff have attained a level 3 qualification. Those who have not yet attained the necessary qualification are enrolled on the course.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager knows the children well and has an excellent understanding of their needs. She has reviewed the staff development programme and has commissioned additional training that is more closely linked to the children’s specific needs to improve staff’s knowledge and skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a new independent person has been appointed to carry out the external monitoring visits. The recent reports are evaluative, and the visitor makes appropriate recommendations to support the manager in improving the quality of care.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has started to collate evidence from children, parents and professionals as part of the review of the quality of care and intends to write a more evaluative report in line with the requirement raised at the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

All requirements raised at the last inspection have been met.

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Findings from the inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been raised at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263766 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/04/2024 Full Inadequate 22/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/05/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263766 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6BH

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Inspector

Helen Humphreys, His Majesty’s Inspector of Social Care Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1263766 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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