Children's home run by Parallel Parents Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 1 Registered provider: Parallel Parents Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 4 February 2025

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Following the departure of three children, the remaining child reported feeling safe and well supported by staff, having developed trusting relationships during a challenging period.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have described their experience in the home as positive and exceeding expectations. This is attributed to staff’s efforts in building strong relationships with children, professionals and children’s families.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are consistently supported to spend time with their family and friends and to engage in activities of their choosing. Flexible planning allows for personalised experiences and contributes to children’s progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with professionals to address children’s health, education and social needs. Despite occasional reluctance from children, staff remain committed, resulting in gradual progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand how to raise concerns. Complaints and allegations are handled professionally and in line with procedures, ensuring that children feel heard and valued.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school regularly, with positive attendance records. Staff support children to remain in their existing schools to aid friendships and stability. This means that children have continued learning and feel valued.

p.3

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

Staff demonstrate a strong awareness of children’s individual risks. Where admission documentation has lacked key information relating to presenting risks for a child, staff have adapted effectively to ensure children are safe.

p.3

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

Children report feeling safe. Staff respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, showing competence in managing risk. One child said, ‘I feel safe, and staff do everything possible to support me during challenging times.’

p.3

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

Incidents involving children going missing from care, bullying and community-based risks are well managed. Physical intervention is used proportionately and only when necessary to protect others.

p.3

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

Staff maintain consistent boundaries and routines, encouraging children’s input and promoting their choice in daily activities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 4

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has experienced staff changes, and the registered manager has recently resigned. Despite this, a temporary manager from a sister home has remained child focused with oversight across the service. There are plans for a new manager to take over the home in the coming month on a permanent basis. Despite their decision to leave, the manager and deputy have continued to support staff and children, demonstrating a strong commitment to children’s welfare.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

In the manager’s absence, the deputy manager has shown clear understanding of staff capabilities and children’s progress, including how barriers are addressed. Staff receive appraisals that reflect their growth, identify development needs and are rewarded consistent performance, with progression into senior roles.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision; however, the quality of these can vary. Leaders should ensure that staff are given the opportunity to regularly reflect on their practice and relationships with the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy have effectively challenged external agencies when decisions have not met children’s needs. They advocate for key documentation for children, highlighting the importance of timely information in care planning.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have actively addressed racism among children and supported cultural identity, promoting tolerance and respect for diversity.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

While supervisions are timely, their structure varies. Clearer reflection, child progress tracking and measurable targets with timescales would enhance the effectiveness of supervisions.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing changes have created gaps in permanent roles. Recruitment is essential, as instability has caused anxiety for at least one child, who expressed concern about disrupted relationships and the potential desire to move homes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 5

p.4

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.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must always ensure that the home’s staffing levels are consistent with the identified staffing levels set out in the home’s statement of purpose. 30 September

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place to ensure that when staff receive supervision, it is reflective and structured. Staff should be given the opportunity to regularly 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) Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 6

p.5

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: 2790874 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Parallel Parents Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2790874 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 looked after children, 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