Children's Home run by Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited in Salford

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 1 Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by a private provider and offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. The inspector spoke to both children about their experiences of living at the home.

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Inspection date: 8 January 2026

Date of last inspection: 2 September 2025

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Inspection date: 8 January 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 8 January 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has introduced several changes to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Although these changes are not yet fully embedded, improvements in staff practice mean that children feel safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making good progress in all areas of their lives. They say that they like living at the home and staff really care about them. One social worker said that the child is making 'fantastic' progress and could not ask for more from staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff build positive relationships with children. Children talk to staff about their worries with ease. These conversations cover topics such as healthy relationships, and one child said that this helped them to identify 'red flags' and stay safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making positive progress in education. One child, who was previously not accessing any education, now has an alternative curriculum in place that is designed around their needs and interests. Education professionals say that children engage enthusiastically and are making excellent progress in developing their skills.

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Findings from the inspection

One child is planning to move out of the home into semi-independent living. Staff have created a clear independence plan with input from the child. They use worksheets and discussions to help the child develop essential life skills. The child enjoys completing the tasks and is proud of their achievements. This helps the child to progress confidently and happily towards independent living.

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Findings from the inspection

When children are at risk, staff know how to respond and use the most effective strategies to meet their individual needs. Risk management plans are clear and provide staff with the guidance they need to keep children safe. Managers ensure that plans are regularly updated.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff understand the risks to children when they are missing from the home. When children are missing, staff search for them and are persistent in supporting them to return home. As a result, the number of missing-from-home incidents for both children have reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are provided with opportunities to engage in training that is specific to the children's individual risks. Staff are supported to reflect on incidents and actions taken and apply what they have learned to improve their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers are strong advocates for children and ensure that their voices are heard. Children say that managers support them to share their views, which empowers them to take the lead in their own care planning. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 3 The registered manager supports the deputy manager and senior staff to develop their supervisory skills. He has revised the supervisory tools to ensure that they identify and address shortfalls in staff practice. Managers are beginning to challenge poor practice more effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

The external monitoring by an independent person does not provide in-depth scrutiny of the home. Reports do not critically evaluate staff safeguarding practice or how they promote children's welfare. Additionally, the reports are not always shared with Ofsted in a timely way. This limits the regulator's oversight of children's safeguarding at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Records of incidents and room searches are not always detailed. This limits the manager's oversight of staff practice. Furthermore, the records do not consistently identify the author, and entries are not always signed and dated. This reduces staff's accountability for their actions when caring for children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/12/2024 Full Good 11/07/2023 Full Good 23/08/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 4

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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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home's records (except for a child's case records, unless the child and the child's placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (the independent person's report) which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether— children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children's wellbeing.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person's report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to—

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Requirement Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5) (7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider must ensure that the independent person completes a rigorous and evaluative assessment of staff practice in safeguarding and promoting children's 27 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 5 welfare. Additionally, the provider must ensure that the independent person submits the reports to Ofsted within the required timeframe.

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Requirement Due date

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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children's records provide accurate and clear details of incidents, including room searches completed by staff. Additionally, staff must record the author and sign and date each entry. 27 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Social Care Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 31 Shaw Road, Stockport SK4 4AG

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Annabella Foulkes

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2608484 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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