Children's home run by Spark of Genius North East LLP in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 1 Registered provider: Spark Of Genius North East LLP

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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 owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child resident at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since December 2023.

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This monitoring visit

An assurance visit took place on 11 December 2024. At this visit, the inspector found serious and widespread concerns. Following a case review the same day, it was decided that two compliance notices would be issued in relation to regulations 12 and 27 and a restriction of accommodation notice was served.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 28 January 2025. Following a case review on 29 January 2025, it was agreed that the compliance notice issued in relation to regulation 27 had been met. However, the provider had not met the steps within the compliance notice issued under regulation 12, and that was reissued.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have a good understanding of the risks the child is vulnerable to. The child has a thorough and up-to-date risk assessment, which staff routinely follow. Staff take prompt action when a risk emerges, and seek appropriate support from partner professionals, to ensure the child’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has recruited a team of suitably experienced permanent staff. All staff are either qualified or working towards the relevant qualification. This helps the child build and maintain trusting relationships, contributing to a greater sense of belonging and permanence. The child expressed how much happier they are with familiar adults caring for them. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 2 The home was in a state of upheaval during the visit, with a substantial programme of redecoration in progress. The home presented as much cleaner, and the completed work is to a good standard. Staff talked of a fresh start with new permanent staff and a refreshed home. The child is looking forward to the work in their home being completed.

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This monitoring visit

Two children have moved on from the home. The circumstances gave staff little time to prepare the children for their move. This does not support a positive end to the placement, with both children moving suddenly.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is improving their oversight of the home. However, the child’s care plan has not been updated, and there was no plan of focused direct work for staff to follow. This hinders the child from developing essential life skills around self-care and learning, to improve their ability to make safe decisions.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has not admitted any more children to the home.

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This monitoring visit

Following a case review held on 6 March 2025, it was agreed that the remaining compliance notice in relation to regulation 12 has been met. The provider has made sufficient improvements in the running of the home. It was agreed that the restriction of accommodation will expire.

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This monitoring visit

Requirements made at the last inspection are outside the scope of this visit. These will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2024 Full Good 22/08/2023 Full Good 15/02/2023 Full Good 24/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 1(b) (2)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 30 April 2025

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that arrangements are in place to— 30 April 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 5 plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Spark Of Genius North East LLP

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: King Edwin School, Mill Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland TS20 1LG

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Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1159884 7 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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