Children's Home run by Next Stage 4Life Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4 Life Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 November 2017

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

In the temporary absence of the registered manager, a deputy manager is in charge of running the home. The effectiveness of the leaders and managers in ensuring the quality of care that young people receive has declined since the last inspection. A robust risk assessment was not undertaken to ensure that a young person’s contact with a friend was safe. Reasonable steps were not taken, as a good parent would have done, by the deputy manager or the staff to identify hazards and risk factors that may have had the potential to cause harm to the young person. Also, the social worker was not consulted about the contact arrangements.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Furthermore, the inspector found alterations to a record previously reviewed. This obstructive practice does not provide for transparency to enable Ofsted or other agencies to conduct their duties in safeguarding young people. Also, it is not in-keeping Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 2 with the ethos and overall aims of the home. To the credit of the senior manager, this was promptly acted upon during the inspection and an investigation was initiated.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff provide a welcoming and homely environment for young people to feel comfortable. The home is generally very well kept and furnished. Young people have their own bedrooms and the staff encourage them to keep their rooms clean. However, young people have specific needs that can make this task very difficult for both the staff and the young people. Despite these efforts, the safety and hygiene of one bedroom is in need of improvement. Action was taken to address this during the inspection.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

That said, young people remain settled living in the home and continue to make good progress in their education. They attend school regularly and achieve their targets. Also, they participate in a wide range of activities and hobbies that they enjoy such as, singing lessons, festivals, volleyball, ice skating and cinema trips. They also spend quality time at home playing games and watching television programmes together with the staff. These experiences help to build their confidence and relationships with the staff.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one requirement made at the previous inspection has been partially met. A young person’s attendance at health appointments is slowly improving and the staff continue to encourage the young person’s attendance at relevant health appointments. The staff team has regular training, supervisions and team meetings to keep staff abreast of the changing needs of young people. Staff enjoy their work and are complimentary of the support and guidance they receive.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The senior managers are well aware of the strengths and weaknesses in care practice, and they are currently taking action to remedy the concerns identified as a result of this inspection. However, the breaches of regulations and shortfalls in care practice have contributed to the judgement of declined in effectiveness.

p.2

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.

p.2

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that staff assess whether each 19/03/2018 Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 3 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; and that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(i)) and (d)) In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must 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. In particular, that records are not altered. (Regulation 13(2)(a)) 19/03/2018

p.2

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.3

Information about this inspection

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’.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Next Stage, 28 Manchester Road, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3QJ

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Post vacant Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 4 Mark Doyle

p.3

Inspector

Caroline Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 5 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5