Children's home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 1 SC456710

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Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees 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 home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is not currently in post.

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Inspection date: 19 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 19 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: SC456710 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

A new manager started working in the home in October 2024. He has not yet applied to register with Ofsted. The current registered manager is not in day-to-day charge of the home but has not applied to cancel her registration voluntarily. This means that she remains legally responsible for the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Some children are not attending education or have difficulty remaining in school for the duration of the day. This makes it difficult for them to engage in their learning and make progress. However, staff get to know the children well and this helps them to identify any additional learning needs that create barriers to children attending school. The manager and staff are advocating on behalf of children to find an education provision that meets their learning needs. However, this has not yet been achieved. Staff provide structured activities for the children who are not in school, but these activities do not provide opportunities for informal learning.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been no concerns since the last inspection regarding staff responses to incidents in the home and management oversight of them. When incidents have occurred, they have been responded to promptly and appropriate action has been taken to safeguard children. Incidents are recorded in detail and include the manager’s comments, including areas for development. One child said that they feel well cared for at the home and that the staff keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have benefited from working closely with medical professionals to support one child’s health needs. The child has a new device to monitor their health needs and staff are accessing professional advice on a regular basis. This has resulted in an improvement to the child’s health, including their emotional well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments and care plans are regularly reviewed and reflect their changing needs. Risk assessments are individualised and provide a breakdown of how staff can better support children. The manager completes a monthly audit which includes the oversight of children’s plans. This enables her to have a clear view of the progress children are making and areas of concern.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say that they feel well supported by managers. This is because they have regular supervision, and the manager is present in the home. Staff have discussions about the safety of children and reflect on their practice. Staff can discuss their training needs to enable them to develop their practice. This helps them to better support children in line with their individual plans. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/07/2023 Full Good 16/08/2022 Full Outstanding 29/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 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

Any person who carries on or manages an establishment or agency of any description without being registered under this Part in respect of it (as an establishment or, as the case may be, agency of that description) shall be guilty of an offence. (Care Standards Act 2000 S11 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the person in day-to-day charge of the home registers with Ofsted. 17 April 2025

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; and

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(v)(viii)) 17 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on- Tees TS18 1TW

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Inspector

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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