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

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

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home offers care and accommodation for up to two young people who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed to the home and has made an application for registration with Ofsted. She is supported by an experienced and suitably qualified staff team.

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Information about this children’s home

As part of this interim inspection, consultation has taken place with the local authority designated officer, education providers, the registered individual and one young person.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None. Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/07/2019 Full Good 05/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 3

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children 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, in July 2019, there have been no young people discharged from the home and no new admissions to the home. Two young people remain in this placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, two requirements and one recommendation were made to improve practice. The manager and staff have taken effective action to address these matters. Door locks and door alarms have been removed. The home’s location risk assessment has been updated and the manager and staff have requested and obtained essential documents from the local authority, such as personal education plans and education and healthcare plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both young people have lived in this home for almost three years. They have formed excellent relationships with the staff and continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives. Staff develop personalised care plans for each young person. This unique wraparound package of support helps young people to achieve in all areas of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education providers speak highly of this service. A deputy headteacher said, ‘Staff always attend every meeting and work really well with the young person to prepare them for each day. The young person is making great progress.’ Likewise, staff understand young people’s limitations with regard to how overwhelming a further education environment may be for them. Therefore, the staff also work with local businesses that provide young people with excellent work experience and apprentice opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Music is a key feature in young people’s lives. Their musical interests are extremely well supported. They are provided with individual tutoring to help them learn to play musical instruments of their choice. This includes guitar and piano lessons. In addition, one young person continues to attend singing lessons and is making excellent progress. Young people’s love of music is consistently encouraged. They attend regular concerts and festivals, which has helped them to further develop their social skills, confidence and friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are protected and safeguarded in this home. The manager and staff work with the young people to identify risks and develop strategies together to minimise any future risks. As a result, young people are rarely missing from the home. Furthermore, there have been no incidents requiring physical intervention and there has been a significant reduction in challenging behaviours. Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 4 The home is operated with a consistent staff team. Staff receive regular supervision and attend a range of specialised training courses provided by the organisation. The manager has a clear direction for the ongoing development of the service. This enthusiastic approach to leadership and management is welcomed and supported by the whole staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the manager is persistent in her focus on ensuring that the local authority provides an up-to-date transition plan for one young person, this is often met with delays. The manager must seek to escalate concerns and challenge delays with the local authority to avoid any further unnecessary postponements. One recommendation is made to address this matter. Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 5

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Recommendations

 Where a placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child’s needs (see regulation 5c)). Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. The registered person should consider the use of an independent advocate if the child’s needs are not being met (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8). This is with specific regard to the local authority’s delay in updating transition arrangements for one young person. Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 6

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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

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 children’s home: 1254555 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Stage 4 Life Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Regency House, 45–53 Chorley New Road, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 4QR

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Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1254555 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 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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