Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 1 SC005050 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 5 children who may have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2009 and holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management for residential care services for children. In October 2024, he became a dual-registered manager, responsible for this home and another home in the same organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The organisation has a registered school on the same site. This inspection focused solely on the residential provision.

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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: 25 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2025 Full Good 27/02/2024 Full Good 05/10/2022 Full Good 27/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved into the home, and one child has moved on. Another child has returned to live closer to their relatives. Four children currently live at the home and have done so for a significant period.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children are positive. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children’s needs, which contributes to positive outcomes. As a result, children are preparing to move on to foster placements and community-based homes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to develop practical skills. For example, children learn how to complete basic repairs. One child has been supported to understand the safe use of a drill, which has increased their confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff promote children’s health needs effectively. Children are encouraged to eat balanced meals and engage in regular physical activity, both at home and in the community. They attend routine health appointments, and when attendance is difficult, staff provide support through regular discussions to build confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

However, not all children’s plans are up to date. The manager has not obtained or followed up on the progress of 2 children’s most recent review minutes. This means leaders cannot be assured that staff are working in line with current plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff do not consistently support children to rebuild relationships following conflict. After a recent incident between children, there was no clear evidence of staff intervention to help repair the relationship. As a result, some issues remain unresolved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment requires improvement. Areas of the home, including children’s bedrooms, show damage to flooring and walls that need repainting. Some spaces, such as bedrooms and hallways, lack personalisation and do not feel child- friendly.

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

There have been no allegations or complaints since the last inspection. The manager and staff ensure that all children understand how to raise concerns. Children report that they feel able to identify a safe person to speak to if they have any problems.

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

Physical interventions are used safely and only as a last resort. When they occur, leaders ensure that children and staff have the opportunity to reflect on the incident. This provides assurance that staff practice is safe and in line with training. Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 4 Staff respond effectively when children go missing from care. Clear protocols are in place and followed consistently. As a result, children are promptly located and returned home safely.

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

There are robust systems to promote online safety. Leaders and staff educate children about the risks associated with internet use through regular discussions. This proactive approach has led to a reduction in concerns regarding online safety.

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

Consequences are generally fair and effective. When used, they are linked to children’s plans and behaviours. Staff explain the reasons for consequences to children, supporting their understanding. However, some records contain language that appears blaming rather than reflective of restorative practice. This reduces the educational impact of consequences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He works closely with the deputy manager, and together they provide effective support to a committed staff team. The manager demonstrates a good understanding of both children’s and staff’s needs, which contributes to the continued progress of children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported by the manager. Leaders provide regular supervision, which promotes staff development and checks on their wellbeing. This has helped to maintain a consistent and motivated team that delivers effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders ensure that staff have access to a range of learning opportunities. Staff complete bespoke training relevant to the needs of the children they care for. Recently, staff have completed training on bereavement and online safety, which has increased their confidence in supporting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and staff work well with external professionals. One education professional told the inspector, ‘We work closely with the home; children are safe. We couldn’t do the job without the staff team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment processes are mostly safe. However, one staff member’s recruitment checks did not show evidence of follow-up on a reference. It is unclear how the manager assured themselves that this staff member was safe to work in the home. This shortfall could compromise safeguarding. Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(viii)(b)) 13 January

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(iv)) 13 January Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 6 The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 13 January

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure good standards of employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that all staff record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the s ocial 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 T he 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: SC005050 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC005050 8 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 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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