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

Inspection report children’s home: 1270297 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4 Life Interim 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people, irrespective of gender. The home specialises in caring for young people who have been or who are experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There is a registered manager in post.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2018

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection : none

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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 sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person is newly living in the home. Partnership working with the social worker, alongside effective care planning, ensured a smooth transition. Furthermore, a nurturing and skilled staff team is in place to meet the needs of this young person.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s experience and progress remain steady. One young person is often late for school despite staff attempts to improve this. Although recently, new incentives have been successful in encouraging prompt attendance at school. Other young people attend school regularly and achieve their targets.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are participating in activities and opportunities to build their confidence. Inspection report children’s home: 1270297 2 For example, they are involved in local drama groups and they are soon to be attending a residential weekend during the school holidays. This is a massive achievement for them. Moreover, staff are working well with young people to help prepare them for living independently. They are sourcing college placements and encouraging young people to develop their skills in cooking, home maintenance, hygiene and budgeting.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have good relationships with young people, their families and partner agencies. Complex behaviours continue to be well managed and there are no incidents of young people going missing from care. Staff reinforce consistent boundaries with young people and provide guidance and direction. There has been only one physical intervention since the last inspection. This was appropriately reviewed by the manager. Significant incidents are reported to the relevant authorities and they work together to protect young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that quality assurance systems are in place. For example, a detailed review of care practice, independent monitoring and a development plan all set the direction for improvement. The two requirements from the last inspection are met. Namely, that all staff members hold a first aid qualification and young people are provided with extra funding for personal items of their choice.

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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.

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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.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: 1270297 3 children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Caroline Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1270297 4 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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