Children's home run by Stockport MBC

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 1 Registered provider: Stockport MBC

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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 operated and managed by a local authority. It offers care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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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

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector(s) 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: 2806882 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, clean and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms are nicely furnished and contain children’s personal items. One child told the inspector, ‘I like living here, staff listen to me and it is peaceful.’

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is a strong advocate for promoting positive outcomes for children and escalates concerns on their behalf. There is a strong emphasis on children’s participation. The `You said we did’ forms are thoughtful and demonstrates that consultation with children takes place. This enables children to feel heard and valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s education needs are promoted daily, and children regularly attend school. The manager is a strong advocate for ensuring that children are provided with education plans suitable to the child’s specific learning needs. This means that children achieve success in learning, which impacts positively on their self-esteem.

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Findings from the inspection

Children were observed coming home from school. They were greeted warmly by staff and engaged in planned activities, such as playing on their game consoles, completing homework and spending time with their families.

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Findings from the inspection

The children’s health needs are met, and children are encouraged to attend routine appointments. When children require additional support, the manager is proactive at liaising with relevant health professionals to ensure they receive the most appropriate care.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments are completed and updated regularly. Risk management plans detail staff responsibilities, supervision arrangements and contingency measures to address emerging concerns promptly.

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Findings from the inspection

When allegations against members of staff occur, these are reported without delay, and leaders and managers take appropriate action to investigate the concerns. However, in one case, the electronic record was not updated to reflect new information that emerged following the manager’s investigation. A requirement has been raised.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort to prevent harm. When it occurs, staff record incidents accurately and with a clear focus on the child’s experience. Children are offered timely debriefs and staff also take part in reflective discussions to identify learning and monitor emerging risks. This ensures a child-centred approach to risk management. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 3 Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated an understanding of whistleblowing and what constitutes closed cultures. They were able to confidently describe the actions they would take if a safeguarding concern arose and were familiar with the organisation’s new leadership structure. Staff felt confident that swift action would be taken should any concerns be reported.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is led by an experienced, confident and child focused manager. She is supported by an experienced deputy manager. Together, they have a joint understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home and how staff need to be supported to provide children with appropriate care and support.

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Findings from the inspection

Internal monitoring of the home is shared between leaders and managers and case records relating to children’s care were up to date and relevant to children’s presenting needs. A shortfall was identified relating to the archiving of files of children no longer living in the home. A requirement has been raised

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoke positively about a strong team ethos with clear, effective communication and a consistent team around the child approach to support. Staff described leaders and managers as approachable and supportive and said that managers ensure that they have access to regular training to meet the needs of the children they are caring for.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff supervision is taking place frequently as well as additional debriefs, team reflections and regular team meetings. This enables staff to collectively discuss practice related matters and consider alternative approaches and strategies from a child focused perspective. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 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, 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 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 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.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)) 20 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 6 In particular, the registered person must ensure that the policy is clear and easy to read and is reviewed on a regular basis.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

in a secure place after the child has ceased to be accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that case records are accurate and reflect the any incident or matters in the home that may require further investigation.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that files relating to children who no longer live in the home are stored securely and are done so in a timely manner. 20 February 2026

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Stopford house 3rd Floor, Piccadilly, Stockport, SK1 3UR

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Inspectors

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 7 Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2806882 8 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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