Children's home run by 3S Adolescent Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 1 Registered provider: 3S Adolescent Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, staff were caring for 2 children. One is living at the home, and the other was receiving ongoing support after recently moving out. The inspectors spoke with one child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 12 November 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2024 Full Good 17/05/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children build extremely positive relationships with staff. One child told their placing authority, ‘In my time at [setting name], I have found the people who look after me have become close friends, family, and have taught me the values in life that make me a better person.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home offers a spacious, relaxed and homely environment. Children personalise their bedrooms according to their tastes and interests, and staff support them to care for pets. As a result, children relax and feel happy in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand and actively use the therapeutic model that underpins the home. They apply the model in their daily interactions with children and in the records they produce. These child ‑ focused, accessible records show the high regard in which staff hold the children. Through consistent, nurturing practice, staff strengthen children’s emotional security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Although children do not currently attend a suitable school or college, the manager and staff remain committed to keeping them engaged in education. They provide suitable learning spaces for children who receive tuition in the home and set firm, consistent boundaries, including managing Wi ‑ Fi access, to support routines and encourage learning. As a result, children make exceptional educational progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of children’s health needs and hold sensitive, timely discussions to help children understand their own health. They advocate persistently for children, and their determination enabled one child to access dental care for the first time in a significant period. Staff prioritise children’s health, and children’s wellbeing continues to improve because of this focused support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide excellent support to help children develop independence skills. They involve children directly in planning for their futures, which increases children’s motivation and confidence. Staff help children apply for employment and run mock interviews to prepare them for real opportunities. One child now holds paid casual employment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff work hard to build and maintain positive relationships with children’s families and loved ones. Families visit frequently, and staff organise and host celebrations and significant events. Staff plan carefully to ensure children can spend time safely with family outside the home. This collaborative approach strengthens family connections and reinforces children’s sense of stability. Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 4

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

Children feel safe in the home. Staff actions have significantly reduced risks for children over the inspection period, and as a result, one child no longer requires a deprivation of liberty order.

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

Staff understand the complex and high risks children face. They respond to risks effectively and plan well for situations where risks may increase, recognising that children’s progress is not always straightforward.

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

Staff complete detailed and regularly updated risk assessments. The manager gathers research relevant to each identified risk and uses this evidence to inform the strategies within the assessments. Staff follow these strategies closely, and the manager maintains prompt oversight of safeguarding concerns to ensure this continues. The manager identifies learning and incorporates it swiftly into children’s plans.

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

Each child has a detailed, individual missing-from-home plan. Staff follow these plans consistently. Staff are persistent when locating children, contacting known associates and visiting likely locations. Their determination leads to children returning home quickly. Staff continue their efforts throughout the night when necessary.

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

The manager and staff set consistent, fair boundaries. Children understand what staff expect of them. They learn to follow these boundaries and recognise how their behaviour affects themselves and others. As a result, children increasingly make positive choices that reduce their risks and improve their outcomes.

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

Staff rarely use physical intervention. They manage behaviour through strong, positive relationships with children. Staff are trained in safe holds and use physical intervention only as a last resort and in proportion to the risk. Managers and leaders maintain robust oversight of incidents, scrutinising practice and records carefully. They consider the child’s viewpoint and explore their feelings and motivations. Any required improvements to staff practice are delivered promptly.

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

Children know how to complain. The manager responds consistently to both verbal and written complaints. The manager acts quickly to address children’s concerns and ensures their immediate safety. They contact social workers and advocates to secure independent support where needed. Managers and leaders hold detailed discussions with children to help them understand the outcome of their complaint and the reasons behind decisions. Children feel heard and know staff take their views seriously.

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

Staff carry out room searches only when there is a clear safeguarding reason. They complete these searches sensitively and thoroughly. Staff inform the child beforehand and invite them to be present when possible. They protect the child’s privacy and dignity as far as possible during the process. Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager builds excellent relationships with both children and staff. The manager is present, accessible and well supported by an experienced and involved responsible individual. As a result, the home benefits from stable and effective management arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager provides strong and proactive leadership. The manager maintains oversight of every aspect of the home to ensure children remain safe and achieve their potential. The manager embeds a culture of learning by sourcing research that supports staff reflection and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager oversees incidents thoroughly. The manager considers each child’s needs and presentation and evaluates practice against agreed plans and strategies. The manager identifies learning or support needs for staff and children and acts on these promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager holds high aspirations for children and high expectations of staff practice. The manager provides responsive, high ‑ quality support to staff, enabling them to deliver excellent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff enjoy working at the home. They receive regular supervision, annual appraisals and attend team meetings that promote reflection and development. Staff feel well supported by each other and by the manager. One staff member said, ‘The best thing [about the home] is the manager… they are always there to support and develop us all.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff access a comprehensive training programme, including training tailored to the needs of the children. New staff follow a robust induction that prepares them well for their role. Staff receive the learning and development they need to meet the high standards in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager creates many opportunities for children to share their views. The manager has removed institutionalised processes so children can express themselves naturally. The manager responds promptly and thoroughly to children’s views and meaningfully incorporates these into the running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff maintain strong, effective relationships with multi ‑ agency partners. They communicate proactively and share relevant information in a timely way. Children benefit from this coordinated, holistic approach to their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager notifies Ofsted immediately about any serious incidents and outlines the actions that have been taken, enabling the regulator to maintain prompt oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 6

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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 2672244 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 3S Adolescent Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hobart House, 3 Oakwater Avenue, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3SR

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Inspectors

Sarah Huntbatch, Social Care Inspector Caroline Bates, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home 2672244 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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