Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 1 SC008607 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

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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 operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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. 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: SC008607 2

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Findings from the inspection

There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection. Neither child was available to speak to the inspector.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children have left the home since the last full inspection. Children’s moves from the home are completed in a planned way. This gives children the chance to visit their new homes and prepare themselves for the change.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move into the home, the manager completes an assessment to assure himself that staff can meet the children’s needs. However, this assessment does not consider the needs of the child already living at the home. This does not ensure that children are compatible and can live together safely.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have positive and trusting relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff take an interest in children’s hobbies and interests. They plan engaging activities for the children. This helps to enrich children’s experience of living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is decorated to a good standard and children have personalised their bedrooms. However, one child’s bedroom window and curtain pole need repairing. In addition, children’s bedroom windows are large, and children’s privacy may be compromised by neighbouring properties. A recommendation is made to address this.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff complete regular direct work with children. This work is focused on children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. It helps children to recognise and talk about potential risks and consider ways to help keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff follow clear procedures in the event of a child going missing from the home. Staff maintain contact with the child whenever possible and are proactive in encouraging and supporting them to return to the home safely.

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Findings from the inspection

One child does go missing from home. The proximity of the children’s home to his family and friends is a strong pull factor for this child. Staff are working in partnership with the local authority to identify ways to safeguard this child.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk management plans are in place to help staff understand the steps they should take to minimise risks to children. However, one child’s plan contained conflicting information. In addition, staff are not always following the instructions in children’s plans. For example, staff are required to complete a search of one child’s bedroom when the child returns home from being missing. This is not consistent practice. A requirement is made to address this.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are generally settled and there are very few incidents when children are upset or agitated. As a result, staff rarely have to hold a child to keep the child safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 3 The manager speaks to staff and children following the use of a physical intervention. This helps him to understand whether the measure was necessary and proportionate.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is managed by a permanent, suitably experienced registered manager. Staff value the support they receive from him. They say that he is always accessible to them for advice and guidance.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has made some changes to improve the quality of care that children receive. For example, staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice following significant incidents in the home. This helps the manager to identify areas for staff development and shape future practice. However, the manager has not ensured that all the requirements made at the last inspection have been met. As a result, some requirements are repeated.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive training that is aligned to the needs of the children living at the home. Staff report that this training is helpful and equips them with the skills they need to work with vulnerable children.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a full staff team in place. They receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal of their performance. However, the manager does not receive regular, individual supervision. This means that the manager does not have an opportunity to have his practice reviewed and appraised. A requirement was made in relation to this at the last inspection and it is repeated to secure improvement. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/09/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good 24/08/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 5

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that risk management plans are updated to contain accurate information, and that staff follow the plan to manage risks to children. 30 May 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. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that assessments of children’s needs consider the needs of the child to be admitted against the children already in place. 30 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the manager receives appropriate one-to-one supervision. 30 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that repairs to the home and its furnishings are completed in a timely way. In addition, changes should be made to bedroom windows to protect children’s privacy. This should be done in consultation with the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership Of Care Today

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Inspector

Sophie Thomson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC008607 8 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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