Children's Home run by Stockton Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC442886 1 SC442886

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Registered provider: Stockton on Tees Borough Council

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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 local authority. It provides short- and long-term care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager post has been vacant since March 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 27 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 this inspection, 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: SC442886 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

Two children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children know how to make a complaint. Staff build trusting relationships with children, who say that they feel happy living in the home. Staff complete regular key-working sessions with children and seek their views regularly. This helps children to feel listened to.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health and emotional well-being are a priority for staff. The children are registered with local dentists, doctors and opticians. When children need emotional support, staff work with professionals to meet their needs. Staff follow this up with key-working sessions to help educate children about the importance of their health. This means that children receive timely support tailored to their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage children to pursue their interests and hobbies. Children enjoy getting involved in a variety of activities that they choose, depending on their hobbies and interests. These include activities such as ice-skating and football. One child said that staff have taken them out to enjoy activities with friends. This gives children the opportunity to have fun and promotes their social skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and are proactive in working with them on a range of subjects relevant to their individual risks. Staff escalate their concerns for the welfare of children to the necessary services in a timely manner. This helps children to understand their risks and safeguards them effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has high expectations for the standard of care for children. She is ambitious for children and has been proactive in making positive changes since the last inspection. One member of staff said that communication has improved in the home. This means that managers and staff provide children with a good level of personalised care and support as they work towards independent living.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers respond promptly when allegations are made against staff. The manager takes immediate action to ensure the safety of the children and notifies all relevant professionals, including Ofsted. The outstanding actions in relation to previous allegations have been completed. The manager is supporting staff to gain the skills required to safely respond and care for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are held by staff when this is necessary to keep everyone safe. Staff are trained to support children and hold them safely. However, following the use of restraint, children are not always given the opportunity to discuss the incident and share their views. As a result, the impact on children is not always understood by the manager or staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC442886 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/06/2023 Full Good 04/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC442886 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c)) 30 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC442886 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on- Tees TS18 1TW

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Inspector

Natalie Clark, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC442886 6 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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Inspector

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

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