Children's Home run by Salford City Council in Salford

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 1 SC040733 Registered provider: Salford City Council

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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 is run by the local authority and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Two children spoke with the inspector, including one child who has recently moved on from the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2025 Full Good 03/12/2024 Full Good 16/08/2023 Full Good 31/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 3

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Summary of findings

There have been significant changes within the staff team with several experienced members of staff leaving. This has impacted on the manager’s oversight of the home and has contributed to a decline in the quality and consistency in the care and support provided to children.

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Summary of findings

Children do not always experience appropriate routines, boundaries and consistent care, resulting in a lack of stability and predictability in their daily lives. Emerging and escalating risks are not always identified, assessed or responded to effectively, which compromises children's safety and well-being. Furthermore, children preparing to move on from the home have not always received the planned, structured and individualised support necessary to help them transition successfully and achieve positive outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since the last inspection, two children have continued to live at the home and one child has recently moved on in line with their care plan. However, children are not effectively prepared for independence due to the limited work that is completed with them. Children are not routinely encouraged or supported to manage a budget, shop for groceries or learn practical household skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not support children to develop healthy routines and there is a considerable lack of appropriate boundaries and structure within the home. Children are often in bed until late afternoon and staff efforts to provide structure are minimal. Children spend most of their time in their bedrooms or in the community and staff do not actively or effectively encourage children to spend time in the home or engage in activities. There are no established mealtimes or incentives for children to spend time in the home or build relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff make some attempts to gain children’s views and record these appropriately. However, there is little evidence that action is taken in response to children’s expressed wishes and feelings. As a result, children do not feel heard. One child said, ‘I tell them [staff] what I would like or want to happen, but nothing happens, I’m not listened to so what’s the point.’ This demonstrates that children do not consistently feel heard, valued or empowered to contribute to decisions that affect them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s educational needs are not being met, and staff do not actively support children to overcome any barriers to education. Children’s education attendance has significantly decreased in recent months, and staff have been unable to successfully support children back into education. Although one child was able to complete some exams and secure a college placement, another child moved on from the home without a Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 4 college placement or clear plans for their future, leaving them uncertain about their next steps.

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

Staff do not respond effectively or consistently to children’s identified risks. Children’s risk assessments do not provide staff with individualised guidance or clear strategies for managing emerging risks. As a result, the risks to children have increased and staff responses are not effective in reducing or managing them.

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

Staff did not take appropriate action in response to a child having possession of an illegally purchased tattoo kit. Staff consistently failed to respond when the child tattooed themselves, another child in the home, and reportedly peers in the community. As a result, children did not receive appropriate medical support and remained exposed to potential health risks. Children now have multiple permanent tattoos which may impact their future choices and opportunities.

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

Staff respond appropriately when children are missing from the home, making efforts to locate them, maintaining contact and providing support on their return. However, there is a lack of professional curiosity and follow up when incidents of missing from home increase. Risks relating to exploitation are not effectively explored with children and the language used by staff is dismissive of concerns and at times is blaming of children. Staff do not consistently seek support from relevant external professionals when they are unable to address or discuss concerns with children.

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

Room searches and checks are not used effectively. Children are known to smoke in their bedrooms and staff have failed to implement additional safeguards to reduce the associated risks. During this inspection, one child’s bedroom smelled strongly of stale smoke and another child’s bedroom was unclean and contained a broken bed that had not been repaired for several weeks.

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

Staff do not respond appropriately when children return home under the influence of substances. They do not seek medical advice and work completed with children to help them understand and reduce the risks associated with substance use is limited. As a result, children are not receiving the support they need to safeguard their health and wellbeing.

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

Consequences are not always appropriately recorded and when used are punitive. Children’s bus fares are regularly withheld including for travel to family contact. This is an excessive and unreasonable consequence that does not promote children's welfare or relationships with their families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager’s capacity to lead and manager the home effectively has been impacted following significant changes in the staff team. The manager was on annual leave at the Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 5 time of this inspection and another manager in the organisation was overseeing the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff report that the manager is supportive and approachable and has kept them informed throughout the recent changes within the staff team. Staff receive regular supervision and have access to relevant training which helps to develop their knowledge and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A whistleblowing complaint was managed appropriately with a thorough investigation completed and proportionate action taken in response to the concerns raised. The changes implemented were appropriate and made in the best interests of children. However, these changes resulted in several experienced members of staff leaving the home. The children had positive relationships with these staff and their departure has had a negative impact on children’s engagement with the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager does not have effective oversight of incidents and has failed to identify shortfalls in staff practice or opportunities for improvement. Staff do not consistently receive clear guidance or direction from the manager resulting in ineffective responses to children’s risks and needs. This lack of leadership was evident in a team meeting where staff discussed ‘waiting for children to move on so the team could have a fresh start.’ This reflects a staff team that lacks the skills, confidence and motivation to effectively re- engage children and meet their individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 6

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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 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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health; and

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d)(e)) 13 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 7 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff understand children’s known risks and have the skills, knowledge and understanding to keep them safe. Staff must take swift and appropriate action in response to children’s assessed risks, in line their risk assessments and plans. In addition, any damaged or broken items within the home must be repaired or replaced without delay to ensure a safe and homely environment for children.

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Requirement Due date

*The registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 13 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 8 feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff undertake relevant training to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills required to care for each child in their care.

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Requirement Due date

Staffing levels must be sufficient at all times to enable required changes to staffing without compromising the care provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

There must be effective monitoring and review systems in place to ensure that the care provided is safe, appropriate and responsive to children’s assessed needs.

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*The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child's behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child's behaviour, in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding; 13 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 9 help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child's age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship; (viii)strive to gain each child's respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children's previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(vi)(vii)(ix)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children are supported and encouraged to build positive and trusting relationships with staff. Children must also be supported to build and maintain positive, healthy relationships with each other and their peers. In addition, children must be supported to recognise the signs of unhealthy relationships and be provided with the guidance and support to withdraw from relationships that have a negative impact on them.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

that staff help each child to— 22 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 10 achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child's health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child's health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child's health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's well-being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children have access to appropriate medical support when required.

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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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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

understand and apply the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child's welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background; 22 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 11 help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child's relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice;

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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

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home; (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically the registered person must ensure that staff provide safe and consistent care to children and promote their welfare. They must ensure that the home environment, including children's bedrooms are welcoming and furnished to a good standard and include children's personal belongings.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child's learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study; 22 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 12 understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1)( (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff support children to overcome any barriers to education and consistently make efforts to re-engage children who are not accessing education.

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Requirement Due date

Staff must help children to identify and develop clear plans for their future and support them to do this effectively.

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Requirement Due date

The children's views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children's care and welfare and their lives.

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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

ascertain and consider each child's views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child's best interests when making decisions about the child's care and welfare;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child's views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)) 22 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 13 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff regularly gather children's views, wishes and feelings and take action where appropriate in response to these.

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

develop the child's interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child's interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child's interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff consistently encourage children to take part in activities and their personal interests and hobbies. 22 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: SC040733 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester, M27 5DA

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Inspectors

Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Gareth Dakin, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040733 15 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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