Children's home run by The Partnership of Care Today Children‟s Services

Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 1 SC021677 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services

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 or learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, there were three children living in the home. All children spoke with the inspector.

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: 10 September 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2024 Full Good 13/09/2023 Full Good 01/03/2023 Full Good 27/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making steady progress from their starting points in social and emotional well-being, education, and health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s needs are well understood, and personalised care positively supports children’s development. Staff tailor their input and support to each child’s individual needs and cognitive age.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel valued, as staff spend quality time with them. Each staff member brings personal strengths, such as a passion for exercise, reading, or learning, which they align with children’s shared interests. This helps build strong, trusting relationships.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive professional networks and this enables effective challenge, planning and support for children. These networks help respond to local authority care plans and, through regular review, reflect each child’s evolving needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education and enjoy learning. Staff show care and commitment in supporting children’s education. For one child, this has included sourcing additional careers advice and opportunities tailored to the child’s interests. The child has been accepted into a music course.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form positive relationships with one another, supported by staff who actively help maintain and strengthen these bonds through activities and group events.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is warm and nicely presented. Children are included in making choices about the home’s presentation. This provides the children with a sense of belonging, importance and mutual respect.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent. For example, one child regularly goes shopping with staff and has management of funds. The same child will prepare meals and enjoys this time. Staff help children to develop skills for adulthood.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from clear routines and boundaries, which support improvements in behaviour and overall well-being. They appreciate knowing what is expected and how staff will support them.

p.3

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

Children feel safe and supported by staff. One child said, ‘It is peaceful, calm and you know staff look after you.’

p.3

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

Risk assessments align with local authority documentation, are clearly recorded and are tailored to each child’s specific risks. These are regularly updated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 4 When incidents occur, staff respond quickly and work with children to understand risk and how to keep themselves safe. This is achieved through regular direct work.

p.3

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

When children have gone missing, staff follow protocols effectively, which enables the safe return of the child. These events are well documented, with detailed chronologies and demonstrate effective multi-agency communication. Children receive return home interviews.

p.4

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

Staff manage behaviours effectively, using de-escalation strategies to prevent escalation. No restraints or room searches have been used, demonstrating effective management of risk.

p.4

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

Allegations are taken seriously and investigated appropriately. Children are supported throughout the process and offered access to external advocacy or support.

p.4

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

Health and safety procedures and risk assessments are robust. Staff are recruited safely.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager takes pride in the quality of care and support provided to children. Staff value the manager’s presence and support, with the manager leading by example and promoting an open culture where children are seen, heard and their needs are respected. Staff work collaboratively to meet these needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff are ambitious for children to succeed, seeking opportunities both within the organisation and through external support. This is evident in the transition of one child to a sister home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake a comprehensive training programme including training that is tailored to children’s specific needs and risks. Staff are up to date with their training, and refreshers are planned accordingly. They know they can request additional training, which will be sourced for them.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff take pride in their work, enjoy their roles and look forward to working with the children. Their warm and reflective language about children shows genuine interest and commitment to children’s care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides regular supervision that promotes staff’s personal and professional development. Supervision sessions support staff development and improve the quality of care for children in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly, covering a range of topics including children’s progress, staff development and operational issues. Meetings are well recorded and consistently high in quality. Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 5 The manager works closely with staff to identify strengths and areas for development. Staff are developed from within the service, creating opportunity to move into leadership roles. One member of staff has contributed to improvements in the administration of the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations set within this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 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: SC021677 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Partnership – N/A

p.7

Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC021677 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