Children's Home run by Parallel Parents Ltd in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2793898 1 Registered provider: Parallel Parents Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in October 2024 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. One child has moved to a new home that is better suited to their needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023 and holds a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2793898 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made progress in the home. Staff have nurturing relationships with children, which facilitates their development. Staff offer attentive care and positive support to ensure that children feel comfortable developing in an environment where they are respected and accepted for who they are.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children have good school attendance and are making progress in relation to their starting points. One child, who is new to the home, is currently home tutored. The manager is in the process of securing an education provision for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have clear health plans and are registered with the relevant primary healthcare services. Children understand the importance of good health and are supported by staff to attend physical and psychological health appointments. Medication is stored safely, and arrangements for the administration and recording of medication ensure that children receive their prescribed medication safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Arrangements are in place that support children in maintaining positive relationships with their family and friends. Staff work closely with children and their families to ensure that time spent together is a safe and positive experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children have made friendships in the area and regularly spend time with their friends. Children participate in a good range of well-considered activities and experiences, which are thoroughly assessed for risk in line with their individual plans.

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

Each child’s risk management plan details the risks they face. These effective documents are updated following significant events and provide clear guidance to ensure that staff respond consistently to children. Staff understand these documents and follow the strategies outlined in them.

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

All staff are sufficiently trained in safeguarding, which ensures that they clearly understand their role and responsibilities to help keep children safe.

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

The manager ensures that staff comply with locally agreed protocols when children go missing. Staff liaise with the police and meticulously record the actions taken and appropriate individuals contacted. Children have access to an independent person to speak to on their return home. This provides information that may help in preventing them from going missing again.

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

Staff manage challenging behaviour effectively, and they encourage children to reflect on incidents in a constructive and supportive way. They challenge or de-escalate inappropriate behaviour, as appropriate. Staff reinforce clear boundaries and provide Inspection report for children’s home: 2793898 3 daily routines and stability for children. This is supported by praise and recognition of achievements. There have been no physical interventions since the home opened.

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

When appointing staff, the manager follows safer recruitment practice guidelines. This means that only those deemed suitable work with children in the home.

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

Regular health and safety checks, along with routine equipment servicing, ensure that the home is kept safe for children, staff and visitors. Staff are trained in fire safety procedures, and they ensure that children participate in fire evacuation drills so that they understand how to leave the home safely in the event of an emergency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable and consistent staff team. This ensures that children receive consistent and predictable care. Staff work well together and have positive relationships with one another and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have good access to training opportunities to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the diverse needs of the children they look after. All staff are qualified or are working towards a level 3 diploma in residential childcare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and occur monthly. They cover topics that are relevant to the current issues arising at the home. They are used as a development opportunity for the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and are well supported in their roles. The manager receives regular supervision, but it is not reflective and does not help him enhance his skills or knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and the manager have established effective working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in children’s care. Staff work closely with teachers, social workers, health professionals and the police. The manager challenges partner agencies appropriately and effectively when required. As a result, children know that they can trust the staff to advocate for them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2793898 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there are systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, allowing them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2793898 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Parallel Parents Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2793898 6 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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