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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 1 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

The home is owned and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to 6 children with emotional and/or social difficulties. At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. One child spoke to the inspector.

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Inspection date: 3 February 2026

Date of last inspection: 10 September 2025

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Inspection date: 3 February 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 3 February 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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 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: 1271135 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 welcoming and well maintained. It has recently been updated, including improvements to the decor, new carpets and comfortable lounge furniture. Photos of the children taking part in activities are displayed in communal areas and children’s bedrooms are appropriately furnished and are clean and tidy.

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Findings from the inspection

One child was able to confidently identify members of staff they felt able speak to with ease. Staff greeted the child warmly when they came home from school, demonstrating the trusting and positive relationships that have been established.

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Findings from the inspection

One child who lives at the home had not been staying there for several weeks, choosing instead to stay with friends and family. A requirement has been raised in relation to the effectiveness of care planning for this child due to delay, drift and uncertainty surrounding their permanency plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to attend education full time. One child is attending college, studying health and beauty, and would like to pursue this as a future career. For children who face barriers to education, staff advocate for them to ensure that their needs are understood and that they are given the best opportunity to succeed. One child’s improved attendance was acknowledged by staff, and they were rewarded with a meal out of their choice to celebrate their progress.

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Findings from the inspection

When multi-agency decisions are made for children to move on from the home, the staff make every effort to ensure that the child has a well-planned and positive ending. For example, one child was given leaving gifts and taken out for breakfast and staff who were not on shift came into the home to say their goodbyes. These actions demonstrate the team’s commitment to providing children with meaningful, respectful and nurturing endings.

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Findings from the inspection

There are positive relationships between staff and children’s family members. Children’s family time arrangements are prioritised. Staff understand the importance of children maintaining connections with those people who mean the most to them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to take part in activities, which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. Key-worker sessions and significant discussions with children take place to support them with their self-care, managing their feelings and promoting healthy peer relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

When historical allegations are made against members of staff, these are reported to Ofsted and to the child’s placing authority in line with statutory requirements. However, investigations are not always completed in a timely manner. The allegations policy has recently been reviewed and expected timescales are now clearly set out. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 3 Strategy discussions take place when there are significant concerns about children’s vulnerability to criminal exploitation. Staff meet professionals from involved agencies to discuss factors impacting on children’s safety and to implement plans to reduce risks. This multi ‑ agency approach ensures that safeguarding responses are timely, informed and effective.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, staff take a proactive approach in searching for and locating them, as well as reporting them missing to the police and other agencies. On their return, children are provided with the opportunity to speak to someone independent of the home to discuss their reasons for going missing and any worries they may have.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff generally take a collective approach to manage situations when children are upset, which helps to defuse situations quickly and safely. However, on one occasion, two members of staff were not available as required to manage a developing situation. This occurred because one member of staff ended their shift early without management authorisation, which reduced staff capacity to prevent escalation. A requirement has been raised in relation to this shortfall.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager submitted their application to register with Ofsted, subsequently withdrawing it following a period of instability at the home. However, since the appointment of the responsible individual, the manager has resubmitted the application.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager, along with the responsible individual, understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. They have devised an action plan which is focused on service improvement and includes a robust recruitment strategy.

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Findings from the inspection

Feedback from professionals was positive. The independent reviewing officer for one child who has moved on from the home reported that professionals were constantly kept up to date. They said, ‘This gave a positive overview of care planning, and they knew [name of child] really well.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff report that inconsistencies in staffing have not always made them feel supported. Leaders and managers have not provided regular supervision for staff in their probation period. A requirement has been raised in relation to this shortfall. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of whistleblowing procedures and closed cultures. They confidently described the actions they would take if a safeguarding concern arose and are aware of the organisation’s new leadership structure. Staff feel assured that any concerns raised would be addressed promptly.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have not always shown confidence when challenging children’s behaviour and professional boundaries have not been consistently upheld. Although this has not negatively impacted on the care children receive, a recommendation has been raised to strengthen staff practice in this area. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/10/2024 Full Good 22/08/2023 Full Good 03/11/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home;

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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

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children are kept informed of their plans on a regular basis so that they can make informed decisions about their futures, and must prevent drift and delay and help children have a positive experience of care.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 6 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (1) (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered manager must ensure that staff who are in their probation period have regular supervision as set out in the home’s policies and procedures.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 6 March 2026

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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. 6 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures and that everyone working in the home understands their roles and responsibilities, including adhering to professional boundaries, for the benefit of the children living in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 7

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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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Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1271135 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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Inspector

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