Children's home run by Together For Children Sunderland

Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 1 Registered provider: Together For Children Sunderland Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties or have a learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home and was spoken to by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025. This is the first inspection.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child, who lives in the home, has positive relationships with staff and enjoys spending time with them. The child has made significant progress in many aspects of their life. Staff have supported the child with their independence skills, meaning that the child can now shower independently and make their own meals. They are also taking responsibility for some aspects of their health and care including ordering their own medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child experiences a wide range of activities that they enjoy including bowling and going to the cinema. They have also had the opportunity to try new hobbies such as dancing, with staff supporting the child to attend and participate in a local dance group. This activity has been instrumental in the child developing their social skills and relationships. The child has developed a sense of community and identity through the activities they regularly participate in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have implemented positive routines and strategies to support the child to access education. This support has resulted in the child attending education without the presence of home staff. The child is also now completing homework and is making progress in their educational achievements. One professional said that the staff’s regular communication with education and the support that they provide the child could not be more positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child’s close relationships with their family. Family visit the home regularly and the child enjoys typical family activities together such as celebrating birthdays and having a Halloween party. Staff have positive relationships with family members and liaise with them appropriately to ensure that the child is safe and happy.

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

Staff can quickly identify changes in the child’s mood and presentation, to signify that the child is at risk of hurting themself. Staff proactively implement measures to reduce the risk such as having soft items nearby to reduce any injury and removing nearby objects that could cause injury.

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

Staff work closely with relevant professionals to understand the child and how best to support them. Staff use de-escalation techniques when the child is upset. Staff actively seek advice and support from health professionals and then use their expertise to continuously develop the daily care of the child.

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

Physical intervention practice is only used as a last resort and only to keep the child and others around them safe. There has been a reduction in physical interventions needed due to the positive relationships staff have built with the child and the daily support that they provide. Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 3 Staff are working towards minimising risks in the environment. Changes that have been made are creative to ensure that the home maintains a homely presence and feel. However, there are identified changes that need to be made to meet the child’s needs and keep them safe.

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

There have been errors in medication practice. Although processes have been undertaken to reduce future risk, medication errors have continued to occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and deputy manager utilise each other’s strengths resulting in a strong working relationship. They care about the child and are child focused with their approach and decision making. Leaders and managers have clear oversight of the home and work closely with external agencies to encourage continuous development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems have been introduced to understand patterns and trends in the child’s behaviours. This is then used to identify how staff practice could be improved. Leaders and managers use supervision sessions and team meetings to reflect with staff and include staff in the future planning and development within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has researched the child’s specific needs, identifying alternative models of care and training needs to support those needs. Equipment specific to these findings has then been purchased and training has been planned. Implementing the findings provides safer and more positive daily experiences for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have positive relationships with external agencies. They have regular communication with all professionals involved in the child’s care. These relationships support reflection and multiagency working, developing the quality of care the child receives. This also provides managers with a holistic oversight of the child’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The reporting and recording of documentation is not consistent. This impacts staff's ability to reflect on incidents and develop their practice. The registered manager has identified the shortfall and has plans to develop the consistency and quality of reporting and recording within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment checks are in place. However, on one occasion they have not been completed and stored in line with the provider’s own recruitment policy. Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)) 20 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration, and disposal of medicines received into the children's home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c)) 20 March 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should continue to ensure staff understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 5  The registered person should continue maintain good employment practice, in line with their policy. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2828461 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sunderland City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland SR1 3AA

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Inspector

Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2828461 7 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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