Children's home run by Stockport Supported Accommodation Service in Stockport

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 1 SC039070

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Registered provider: Stockport Supported Accommodation Service

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Three children were spoken to by inspectors.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since May 2025. An acting manager is in place, who has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2025

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: SC039070 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 home is well presented, comfortable and child friendly with toys and books observed in several rooms. There is ample space for children to relax as well as having quiet space to study. All four children’s bedrooms were seen. Three children were eager to show inspectors their bedrooms and talked about their belongings, toys and personal items with pride. One child’s bedroom required some cleaning to remove food items the child had eaten the previous day and some laundry that required washing. This was addressed promptly on inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Three children who returned from school were greeted warmly by staff. The children were observed to be comfortable and happy around the adults caring for them.

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Findings from the inspection

All four children attend education. One child spoke to inspectors about their progress in their favourite subject and what they would like to do in the future. Another child read one of their reading books to an inspector and spoke positively about their school day.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection and another child has moved in. The child has started to develop positive relationships with staff and was sensitively supported following a recent bereavement. Staff were quick to obtain external support for the child to assist with their emotional wellbeing. This support is ongoing.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have developed positive links with children’s family and friends. Regular family time arrangements are in place, which enables children to maintain links with the people who are important to them. Additionally, staff have facilitated extra family time in line with children’s plans to ensure that siblings spend quality time with one another and to celebrate special occasions.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to be active and they attend regular planned activities. When children express a wish to try something new, this is heard and acted on in ‘come dine with me’ sessions, where the children sit together to share their views and plan what they would like to do.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s safety and wellbeing have improved. Children benefit from a more settled home. No children have been missing from home since the last inspection and serious incidents have reduced overall.

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Findings from the inspection

Medication practice at the home is not managed effectively, with repeated missed doses, refusals and inconsistent recording. Staff provide little to no explanation for gaps in records and there is an absence of professional rationale or evidence of follow-up when medication is missed or refused. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 3 Physical intervention records do not demonstrate the steps that staff take to de- escalate and defuse the situation to prevent it from escalating. On one occasion, the manager sustained an injury during a physical intervention and was not provided with a debrief afterwards. A requirement has been raised to this effect.

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Findings from the inspection

When allegations are raised against members of staff, investigations are not always timely. Additionally, managers’ monitoring does not identify when internal policies require a review and update. Consequently, staff are not provided with clear, detailed steps of what action should be taken in the event of an allegation being raised against a member of staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated an understanding of whistleblowing and closed cultures. They were able to confidently outline the actions they would take if a safeguarding concern occurred and are familiar with the organisation’s leadership structure. Staff say that the leadership team is available and supportive and visits the home occasionally.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff manage conflict between children well. They teach children how their behaviour impacts on themselves and others. Where necessary, staff provide mediation and restorative discussion sessions to help rebuild relationships and promote positive friendships.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has undergone several changes in staffing, including variations to the leadership and management of the home. However, the statement of purpose has not been updated to reflect all changes. A requirement has been raised in respect of this.

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Findings from the inspection

Although the manager evaluates serious incidents and provides debriefs to children and staff, these evaluations do not always identify additional actions or provide a critical evaluation of the incident. The manager and responsible individual were receptive to a discussion around this.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say that they are happy working at the home and are supported by leaders and managers. They say that there is effective communication across the staff team. Staff supervision sessions are accurately recorded and contain discussions around staff wellbeing as well as practice-related matters.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are not held frequently. Therefore, staff are not consistently provided with the opportunity to come together as a staff team and discuss factors impacting the home, organisational changes and any updates relating to children’s development and progress. A recommendation has been raised in respect of this. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/02/2025 Full Good 27/02/2024 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that managers and staff follow safeguarding procedures to prevent children going missing from home.

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is restated. 20 February 2026

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 20 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 6 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff have access to clear guidance that sets out the details of relevant medication that the child is prescribed to manage their health issues.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, that the recording of medication is clear and accurately reflects when the child has taken the medication and whether it was administered by a member of staff or a family member.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provide for liaison and co-operation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority 20 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 7 and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged abuse or neglect occurred;

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Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

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Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the safeguarding policy is clear, easy to read and is reviewed on a regular basis.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 20 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 8 the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)(vii)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff fully record and set out what steps are taken to de-escalate and defuse behaviour prior to a physical intervention being carried out in accordance with the child’s individual risk assessment.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, that debriefs with all staff, regardless of their position, take place following the use of physical intervention. Also, that there is a record of any injury sustained.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide a copy of the statement of purpose to HMCI and make a copy of it available upon request to—

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(b)) 20 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 9

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have the opportunity to attend regular team meetings that enable them to discuss practice-related matters, reflect with colleagues following serious incidents and receive information in relation to the wider service that has an impact on their roles and daily duties. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 52, paragraph 10.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockport Supported Accommodation Service

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fred Perry House, 10 Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3XE

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Inspectors

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039070 11 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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