Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited in Stockport

Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 1 SC412687 Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates : 15 and 16 October 2025

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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/24 Full good 30/10/23 Full good 14/03/23 Full good 17/08/21 Full good Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children spoke with the inspector during the visit.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with individualised care and support, enabling them to make measurable progress from their initial starting points. Feedback from the children highlights their positive experiences with staff, with one child saying, ‘I like living here; all the staff are great. They give me lots of encouragement and listen to how I feel and what I want for my future.’ This reflects the nurturing relationship between staff and children, which fosters a strong sense of safety, trust and emotional security.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager ensures that all children’s needs are carefully considered when new children move into the home. Before children move in, they are provided with clear information about the home, and whenever possible, they are encouraged to visit. Their wishes and views are listened to, promoting an immediate sense of value and inclusion from the start of their placement.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s education, enabling them to make positive progress in both attendance and attainment relative to their starting points. For those who have previously disengaged from education, staff provide encouragement and support, including access to alternative educational provisions. This is further enhanced through structured educational activities delivered in the home, ensuring ongoing learning and development in a supportive environment.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are registered with healthcare professionals, and staff encourage them to attend their appointments. Where additional specialist healthcare support is required, the manager ensures that this is requested and followed up. This helps ensure that children’s physical and emotional healthcare needs are met.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff regularly talk to children about various social issues they are experiencing. They ask questions to try to understand children’s decisions and experiences. Staff provide children with the information they need to make more positive life choices.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities. Staff get to know each child’s individual interests so they can find things they will enjoy. Photos, records and mementos are used to document children’s experiences, which they can take with them when they move on from the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is supported in line with plans. This helps children maintain positive links with family members and friends who are important to them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable, well furnished, and, overall, well maintained. However, the rear courtyard is showing signs of wear and tear, which does not make it a relaxing space for children to use. All children have their own bedroom, which they are Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 4 encouraged to personalise to reflect their individual styles and interests. The bedrooms are furnished comfortably; however, they do not have individual lockable cabinets for children to secure personal items.

p.3

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

Staff develop positive and trusting relationships with children, professionals and individuals who are important to children. These relationships enable staff to gain a comprehensive understanding of each child’s risks, needs and vulnerabilities. This directly informs the development of individualised risk management plans. These plans enable a personalised approach to safeguarding, tailored to the unique circumstances of each child.

p.4

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

All staff have appropriate training in behaviour management techniques. On occasions when children have required physical intervention to keep them safe from harm, staff have followed individual behaviour management plans, ensuring that physical restraint is only used as a last resort. After any such incident, staff talk with children, helping them make sense of what occurred. This reflective approach ensures that trust is maintained and that the relationships between staff and children remain secure and supportive.

p.4

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

When children go missing from the home, staff respond swiftly and effectively, taking all necessary steps to locate them and ensure their safe return. Staff also seek to understand the underlying reasons for a child going missing and ensure that they are offered the opportunity to speak with an independent advocate or person. This helps address any concerns and strengthens future safeguarding strategies.

p.4

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

Staff have a clear understanding of how past experiences, trauma and attachment difficulties can influence children’s behaviour. They are skilled in using de-escalation techniques and in providing consistent, nurturing responses. This helps children feel safe, understood and supported.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced in residential childcare, having previously served as deputy manager before becoming the registered manager. She provides strong and consistent leadership, underpinned by high aspirations for all children and a strong commitment to child-centred practice. She is supported by a deputy manager who shares the same ethos, which is clearly reflected across the staff team.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers maintain effective oversight of care practices and are proactive in identifying areas for improvement. Staff receive regular guidance and supervision, and they report feeling well supported in their roles.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

While most recording on children’s files is appropriate, some records lack clarity, and this could affect the care provided. The manager has identified this as an ongoing training and development area for staff. Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 5 There have been minimal changes in the staff team, promoting continuity of care for the children. The team is encouraged to review relevant research and guidance. This is being embedded into daily practice to improve the quality of care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed strong multi-agency relationships, ensuring effective collaboration with external professionals. A social worker said, ‘Communication is good. This information helps me to understand [name of child]’s needs and make the best plans for them.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff regularly undertake training that is relevant to the specific needs of the children, which further enhances their ability to provide responsive and informed support. The manager has taken action to address the requirements raised at the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must have appropriate training in recording skills to ensure that children’s records are consistent and clear. 12 December

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)) 12 December Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 7 In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that all areas of the home are suitably maintained. This specifically relates to ensuring that the back courtyard is maintained and suitable for children to use.

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with appropriate furniture, such as a lockable cabinet or drawers, to secure personal items, including any personal information. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19)

p.7

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: SC412687 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Social Care Services Group, 31 Shaw Road, Stockport SK4 4AG

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Jessica Knowles-Barnes

p.8

Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC412687 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9