Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Today

Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 1 SC025409 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children. The home can support children experiencing social and emotional difficulties, as well as those with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection, and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 5 December 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/12/2023 Full Outstanding 02/08/2022 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good 04/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Two of the children spoke to the inspector, along with another child who had recently moved out of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have excellent relationships with staff. Staff know the children well. They listen to them, invest time in them, protect them and promote their welfare. Children develop an appropriate sense of permanence and belonging. Recently, a child who had previously lacked confidence spoke publicly to professionals to advocate for children’s rights in the local area. Another child, who recently moved out, said, ‘I cannot put into words what they (staff) have done for me. They have changed my life.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children moving into or out of the home are well supported. Staff are committed to involving the children and their families in the plans. They go over and above to maintain relationships with children who move out. Staff meet older children in the community for meals, visit them at their new homes, and offer emotional and practical support. Children know they have support beyond their childhood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to participate in activities and develop their interests. Staff have taken children go-karting, to kickboxing lessons, amusement parks, and to a motor racing circuit for a child who is interested in racing cars. All children enjoy annual holidays. These are carefully planned to reduce children’s anxiety around a change of environment. One child went abroad for the first time this year. They enjoyed karaoke and learned to swim confidently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand the importance of children’s relationships with their families. They promote and support family visits. When there are issues with family visits, staff are creative at arranging different ways for children to spend time with their siblings. Families are welcomed to the home to enjoy spending time together in a natural home environment. Children develop a sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to learn. Two children have excellent school attendance. Staff have high aspirations for children. One of the children is a member of the school council and is pursuing their Duke of Edinburgh award. When children are not in school, staff actively look for alternative education and promote learning through natural day-to-day activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding and knowledge of the children they look after. As children become older, staff encourage them to develop their independence. There are individualised weekly planners with identified tasks. Staff work innovatively to help children develop the skills they need to live independently. Children are exceptionally well prepared for adulthood. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘Their focus on developing [name of child]’s independence skills has been invaluable, especially in preparation for [name of child]’s move to supported accommodation.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 4 Children are in good health. They have access to local health services when they need them. Arrangements for managing medication are safe. Staff are committed to promoting children’s positive mental health. Children who need additional support are referred to external agencies, such as child and adolescent mental health services. Staff

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

are resourceful and self-motivated to explore different ways to support children’s emotional well-being and have access to an in-house therapeutic team.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children’s views are sought and listened to. Children can identify staff they can talk to if they have any concerns. Although children know how to make a complaint, they have not needed to. One child said, ‘If I am unhappy, I can complain. I have a form in my room for that. I don’t use it though; there’s nothing to complain about.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children receive help and support to manage their behaviours and emotions safely. Staff provide children with clear boundaries about what is safe and acceptable. They can de- escalate situations effectively and help children manage their emotions. Physical interventions are rare.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children rarely go missing from the home. However, when one child went missing from home, staff promptly initiated a search to locate them. They worked in close partnership with other professionals and the child’s family. Staff seek the child’s views, depending on their age and understanding. Staff have supported one child in writing plans, using their own words. The manager identifies risks and seeks additional support from appropriate professionals. This provides opportunities to understand why children go missing from home and helps reduce future occurrences.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Risk assessments are comprehensive and easily accessible. Risk management plans are reviewed regularly to identify progress or emerging patterns. Staff refer to external agencies and use research to educate children about risks. Staff have helped one child understand the risk of criminal exploitation, and, as a result, they have made more positive life choices. Children are involved in writing their own risk assessments. They receive consistent messages and develop an understanding of risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

The home is a safe environment for children to live in. The fire and home risk assessments are regularly reviewed. Staff educate children about internet safety and use parental controls. They have clear guidelines on how to use mobile phones safely. Staff spend time with children carefully explaining the reasons for these rules, so they clearly understand them. Children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe online.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Leaders and managers work effectively with partner agencies. There have not been any allegations. However, staff understand the roles of external professionals, such as the local authority designated officer. Staff working in the home are clear about procedures for responding to concerns about the safety of children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is extremely child focused and has a clear vision for the home, which is shared by the staff. The manager has high aspirations for the children and staff. The manager is inspirational, and staff feel motivated to make positive changes for children. Most staff have worked in the home for many years. They enjoy their work and feel valued. They are enthusiastic and strive to provide the best possible care to enable children to flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are motivated to continue to develop and improve practice. They collaborate to ensure that children receive consistent care, discussing any concerns and devising strategies to address them. Staff are proactive in promoting children’s well-being and safety. There is a real sense of shared responsibility for problem-solving and a desire to achieve the best outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is committed to ensuring that staff take advantage of training opportunities. All mandatory training is up to date. The manager encourages additional training and research, especially to address gaps in staff learning or children’s specific needs. The manager recognises the staff’s individual strengths and advocates for their progress. Staff strive to improve their practice and are eager to learn new skills and knowledge that will benefit the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that the home is well maintained. Children are included in the decisions about how their home is decorated. Photos of the children on holiday, celebrating birthdays and participating in various activities are displayed on the walls. However, some areas of the home require attention, such as removing the internal door lock.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff receive regular child-focused and reflective supervision sessions. Staff say they receive support and can talk openly about issues as they arise. Any gaps in practice are explored. The quality of care and its impact on the children are considered. This helps staff fully understand their roles and how they are supporting children to progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and employees can easily seek advice, direction, or practical support from a wide range of other professionals they have built a network of support with. Due to the nature of these relationships, professionals know the manager and staff well. They work effectively with external professionals to ensure that children receive the right support and are safe. This results in positive outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home maintains a domestic atmosphere, just like in any other family home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 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

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC025409 8 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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