Children's Home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 1 SC035222 Registered provider: Stockton on Tees Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager is currently vacant, and an interim manager has been appointed. They have not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection and both children were spoken with.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

During an assurance inspection on 25 February 2026, Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns. Failures in safeguarding practice and the leadership and management of the home were negatively affecting children’s safety and protection. In Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 2 response, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). A monitoring visit was completed on 22 April 2026, to review the compliance notice under Regulation 13. The visit identified that not all the steps in the compliance notice had been met. The unmet steps were restated.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A further monitoring visit was carried out on 11 June 2026 where the provider had taken steps to meet the compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/10/2024 Full Good 06/09/2023 Full Good 05/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 4

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Summary of findings

There are weaknesses in leadership and management that have resulted in inconsistent care and safeguarding practice. Insufficient oversight, limited managerial support and workforce instability have reduced the effectiveness of practice. This has led to increased risks for some children and variable experiences and outcomes. As a result, children have not consistently benefited from the stable, well-coordinated care needed to support their safety, progress and overall wellbeing.

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improvement to be good

There have been mixed responses from children about their experiences of living in the home. One child said that they are feeling happy and settled, while another child expressed unhappiness about decisions made regarding their care. This suggests that children’s experiences of care and support are not always positive.

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improvement to be good

There is a lack of consistent routine for some children. Despite the actions taken by staff, current strategies have been ineffective resulting in some children spending long periods in bed during the day and being awake through the night. This is limiting children's progress and engagement in planned outcomes. In contrast, another child is engaging well with the structure and routines which is supporting their progress.

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improvement to be good

Children’s educational experience and achievements are mixed. One child, who has since moved on from the home, did not engage in any form of education or learning. Another child has found it difficult to attend school and has received alternative support to achieve some qualifications. Another child, however, is engaging well in education and is making progress. These differing experiences demonstrate variable success in promoting and supporting children's educational needs.

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improvement to be good

Children's engagement in activities is variable. While one child participates in a range of activities, others show limited engagement and often spend extended periods in their bedrooms or in the community with peers. This has at times, contributed to concerning behaviours. Although staff encourage participation and provide opportunities based on children's interests, these efforts are not always successful. This limits some children's opportunities to develop skills, pursue positive interests, and enjoy new experiences.

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improvement to be good

When children transition into the home, this is planned around the child's individual needs. Children are provided with the items they need and staff ensure they have a good understanding of the child. This supports children feeling settled and welcomed into their new home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 5

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improvement to be good

Safeguarding practice is inconsistent. Staff do not always seek advice from health professionals or managers when concerns have been identified. When actions are identified to safeguard children, these are not always followed up. This includes an incident in which a child consumed an unknown substance in the community. These shortfalls have increased risks to children.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not always follow children's plans or the guidance provided by leaders and managers. This has resulted in decisions being made that were not in the child's best interests, including the use of mobile devices. These actions have increased risks for children.

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improvement to be good

When children go missing from home, staff generally follow the procedure which involves searching the local area, contacting children’s family and friends, and notifying the police. However, additional safeguarding measures such as room searches, are not always undertaken. This can result in missed opportunities to identify and reduce risks to children.

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improvement to be good

Children are protected from unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system. Police are contacted to manage situations that arise and present a significant risk to children or staff when this is necessary. This response is proportionate to the level of risk and the vulnerabilities of the children involved. As a result, children can receive the support they need while avoiding unnecessary criminalisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home has been without a registered manager since October 2024. Although interim management arrangements have been implemented, these have not been consistent and have changed several times. The extended absence of a permanent registered manager has impacted significantly on the stability and continuity of practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management oversight has not provided sufficient challenge, support, or accountability to ensure that practice standards improve. Opportunities have been missed to identify poor practice, support staff during high-risk incidents, and promote learning and professional development. These shortcomings have contributed to weaknesses in safeguarding practice and ensuring that children receive consistently safe care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been a high turnover of staff working with the children due to changes within the team and a high reliance on casual and agency staff. Although leaders and managers have taken steps to minimise disruption, these changes have affected children's ability to develop and maintain consistent relationships with staff. The increased use of temporary staff has also placed additional demands on permanent team members. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 6 Workforce instability has had a negative impact on staff morale, with some staff reporting that they do not always feel adequately supported. This is shown at times when staff sought guidance through the on-call system but were advised that managerial direction was not required. As a result, opportunities to provide reassurance, oversight and support during challenging situations have been missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have access to a range of training opportunities to support the development of their skills and knowledge. Although some gaps in training remain, these are largely associated with newer members of the staff team and have been prioritised by leaders and managers for completion.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The current manager understands the shortfalls identified within the home and has begun implementing measures to address weaknesses in practice. The manager has a strong commitment to supporting children to thrive and speaks positively about improving their progress and experiences. While these actions are at an early stage and their impact is not yet fully evident, the manager has a clear understanding of the areas that require attention.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Team meetings are taking place on a regular basis. These focus on children's needs, staff practice and areas for development. Meetings are also used as an opportunity for learning with the in-house therapist taking a lead. This helps staff to reflect on their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 7

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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 leadership and management standard is that 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

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'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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2) (b)(c)(e)(g)(ii)(h)) 1 October 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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that staff— 1 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 8 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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi))

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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

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)(b)) 1 October 2026

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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 1 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 9 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)(b))

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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

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

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(viii)) 1 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 1 October 2026

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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: SC035222 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton on Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees TS17 6BJ

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Inspector

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC035222 11 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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