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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 1 SC008270 Registered provider: Partnership of Care Today Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to two children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

An experienced and qualified registered manager is in post.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 30 January 2024

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2024 Full Good 04/01/2023 Full Good 09/06/2021 Full Good 29/01/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children living here have remained settled. The care children receive from staff is exceptional, and staff know the children well. The children like living here. One child said, ‘It doesn’t feel like a children’s home; it’s like a normal home,’ and ‘This home is everything I ever wanted.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to attend school and develop educational interests. The manager has relentlessly challenged professionals for one child to receive additional tutoring. Staff have been innovative in finding resources to support the child’s learning at home. The child, who usually refuses to complete homework, has thanked the staff for ‘making it fun’ and is engaging well.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A child who has struggled to attend education is completing topic work at home. Staff are resourceful in promoting learning around the child’s interests. They have worked together to research all aspects of the topic. The child is continuing to develop knowledge and skills. Alongside this, the staff are exploring further learning options with the child to support them to return to education that is better suited to their individual needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is cosy and warm. It feels like a family home. It is nicely decorated with soft furnishings, plants, and pictures. The gardens are well maintained. Children’s bedrooms are decorated to their individual tastes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are creative and have high aspirations for children. They encourage the children to develop interests and hobbies. The staff are innovative at providing learning opportunities for children through their interests. The children can access activities according to their interests. These include the Police Cadets, horseriding, arts and crafts and bowling. One child who has expressed an interest in animal welfare is supported to visit local farms, pet shops and zoos. The staff go further to support the child in using online resources to develop their understanding.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children maintain relationships with their families. Staff plan for visits and support children to spend time with the people who are important to them. Children’s families are welcomed to the home. Family members say staff communicate well with them. Staff have promoted one child to start having contact with their sibling, who they have not seen for some time. A carer commented that the change they have seen in a child is phenomenal.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to develop their independence, with consideration to their age and developmental needs. Children are encouraged to attend to their own personal needs and be involved with meal planning, choosing recipes and cooking meals in a natural learning environment. One child now uses public transport independently. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 4 The children’s bedrooms are fitted with door sensors, which are switched on throughout the day and evening. This is disproportionate during the daytime, when staff are on hand to and do supervise the children.

p.3

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

The children have strong relationships with the manager and staff. Children can talk to staff openly without fear of judgement and know they are listened to. One child said, ‘The staff aren’t staff; they are my family,’ and ‘I would not want to live anywhere else.’

p.4

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

The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of the risks for children. Risk assessments are individual for each child and easily accessible for staff. Risks are reviewed regularly so that progress or emerging patterns can be identified. Risks for children have significantly reduced. There have been no missing-from-home incidents. One parent said they used to worry about their child going missing; now they know their child is safe.

p.4

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

Children know how to make a complaint. Staff support children to take the appropriate action when they want to raise a complaint. Children understand what has happened as a result. Their complaints are treated seriously and are responded to promptly. Action is taken and improvements made to ensure that children feel safe.

p.4

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

The manager and staff work collaboratively with other professionals. The manager is a strong advocate for the children. She challenges professionals when children’s views and needs are not fully considered in meetings and plans. Staff go above and beyond to ensure that children are completely involved in planning for their care and that their voices are heard. Both children have access to independent advocacy.

p.4

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

Staff are committed to promoting positive behaviours. Children are given clear and consistent messages to help them understand the rules and expectations. Physical interventions are not used. Children’s achievements are celebrated and rewarded. Staff use a calm and sensitive approach to help children understand consequences.

p.4

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

Children’s health needs are well understood. Staff are proactive at researching additional health needs to enhance their understanding. Medication is stored in a locked cupboard. When medication is administered, this is meticulously recorded. The manager has oversight of medical records. The single error made since the last inspection was immediately picked up by the manager and corrected. This error did not have a detrimental impact on a child’s health.

p.4

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

Children are supported to understand risk. Staff educate children about healthy relationships. They use age-appropriate resources and tools to promote children’s understanding. The staff work closely with partner agencies, and children are supported to attend appointments. This helps children develop their understanding and reduce risks. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has vast experience, knowledge, and skills. She is dual registered, splitting her time between two homes seamlessly. The manager is dedicated to supporting the team and achieving the best outcomes for children. One staff member said, ‘She is the best manager I have ever worked for.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff receive exceptional support from the manager. Supervision and team meetings take place monthly. These are reflective and child focused. Research is used to support staff’s learning and development. The manager arranges additional team meetings to address any gaps in practice. The team work together to improve practice, and the quality of care provided to the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A stable, experienced, and dedicated staff team cares for the children. Staff communicate exceptionally well with each other to ensure that they remain consistent in their approach and support each other’s decision-making. The staff work together collaboratively to provide consistent care for children and keep them safe.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that the home is fully staffed. Most staff are permanent. Two bank staff workers are available to cover any gaps in the rota. All staff are appropriately experienced and skilled. There are clear responsibilities, and the staff team has a sense of shared ownership about its practice. Staff report that they are well led and managed.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is dedicated to supporting the staff’s professional development. All staff have access to regular training. Additional training is identified to meet the needs of the children. Staff have an annual appraisal when their professional development is discussed and reviewed.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. They are positive about the care the children receive and have no concerns about the children’s safety. The manager challenges professionals in the best interests of each child and understands their needs well. One professional said, ‘The love, care, and guidance they give [name of child] is unbelievable. I couldn’t ask for more.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the door sensors for children’s bedrooms should be used proportionally dependent on the risk. The risk assessments for door sensors should be regularly reviewed. 24 April 2025

p.6

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: SC008270 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Partnership of Care Today

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008270 8 regulates 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 looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8