Children's Home run by Choices Home for Children Limited in Stockport

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 1 Registered provider: Choice Home for Children Limited

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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 privately owned. It is registered to provide care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 12 November 2024

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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. 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: 2674455 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

One child has recently moved into the home. The child told the inspector that the staff made them feel welcome. The child is settling in and starting to form relationships with the staff who care for them.

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Findings from the inspection

The child was admitted in an emergency and there is limited information available to the staff who are caring for the child. The manager is using information from the placing authority to complete a more detailed care plan and risk management plan. However, some of the child’s needs are still unknown and this could risk future disruption for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

One child left the home and was supported to move to alternative provision in adult services. The transition was well planned and completed at the child’s pace. Staff supported the child to understand what was happening and this helped to ease the anxieties they felt about their move.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have taken action to improve the quality of the decoration and furnishings of the home. This was a recommendation made at the last inspection. The home has recently been redecorated to a good standard. It is a warm and welcoming place for the child to live in.

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Findings from the inspection

Children benefit from a high level of supervision and support. This helps to keep them safe and to promote their welfare. One child has recently moved into the home and told the inspector that they felt safe there.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff manage difficult situations calmly and effectively. There have been no incidents where staff have needed to hold a child to keep them safe. Staff have received training to equip them with the skills that they need to hold a child safely.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a very detailed behaviour support plan in place to support one child who had complex needs. This helped staff to anticipate situations that the child may find difficult and to take early action to deescalate the situation.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been no incidents where a child has been missing from the home. Managers ensure that there are protocols in place for staff to respond consistently and effectively should a child go missing.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been changes to the leadership and management of the home since the last full inspection. The registered manager and the deputy manager have left the home and a new manager has recently been appointed. She has a clear vision for the home and demonstrates a commitment to securing good outcomes for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 3 There have also been changes to the staff team. This has meant that one child experienced a lack of continuity in his care. A more stable core staff team is now in place. However, it is too early to determine the sustainability of this. A requirement is repeated to secure improvement in this area.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular training opportunities. There is additional training available to staff that is aligned to the needs of the children they care for. However, staff are not receiving regular supervision. This is a missed opportunity to formalise and review staff development.

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Findings from the inspection

Shortfalls with the accuracy of the staff rota were identified during this inspection. Managers have not always ensured that the rota reflects the full names of the staff who have worked in the home. A requirement is made to address this matter. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/08/2023 Full Good 29/06/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 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

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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(e)

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the staff rota lists the full names of staff who are working in the home. 30 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 6 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. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 30 May 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they have sufficient information from the child’s placing authority and other relevant agencies to assess effectively whether they can meet the child’s needs before agreeing to the placement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Choice Home for Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Wellington Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7ED

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Inspector

Sophie Thomson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674455 8 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 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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