Children's home run by Next Stage 4 Life Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 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 children’s home is run by a private company and offers care and accommodation for three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a new manager, who took up the position in December 2019. Ofsted is currently processing her application for registration

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Inspection date: 5 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 2

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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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the home has a new manager, who took up the position in December 2019. Ofsted is currently processing her application for registration. She has improved the ethos of the home and emphasised the importance of spending time with young people so that positive relationships are forged.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any new admissions to the home since the last inspection. One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a positive move for the young person, who moved to a solo placement that was assessed as being more suitable to their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of individualised care continues to be good. Young people are well supported and closely supervised by staff who care about them and build supportive relationships by using a caring and nurturing approach. Young people with complex and challenging needs learn to trust adults, develop self-esteem and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have opportunities to enjoy leisure time in their local communities. Staff support young people to maintain previous hobbies and interests and provide many opportunities to try new ones. Activities, such as day trips to interesting places, joining the local girl guides and horse riding, all encourage young people’s participation and socialisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to promote young people’s educational attendance. However, following several incidents in the school setting, one young person has been permanently excluded. Staff are working proactively with the placing authority to identify an alternative provision for her, while at the same time keeping her interest by engaging her in educational outings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to spend time with those who are significant to them. Staff support young people with these arrangements and to maintain and develop their friendship groups. As a result, young people continue to benefit from spending time with important people in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand how the complex history of each young person impacts on their current behaviours. Staff follow young people’s individual behaviour management plans and use rewards effectively. This helps to improve young people’s behaviour and to strengthen their emotional and psychological well-being. Staff are particularly patient in helping young people manage their anxieties and frustrations, which has resulted in positive relationships and recent improvements in young people’s challenging behaviour. Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 3 Staff complete household environment checks to maintain safety in the home. However, checks on fire alarms and equipment are not being carried out regularly. This means that vital equipment is not being checked in line with the home’s fire safety risk assessment, to ensure that the home is prepared for any emergencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to have good working relationships with other professionals, including designated officers, schools, the local police and placing authorities. Because of these positive relationships, young people’s specific and holistic needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She is assisted by effective internal and external assurance processes. This ensures consistency in practice and promotes good quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has acted to address the requirements and recommendation from the full inspection. Medication is now disposed of appropriately; the home now only accepts placements for young people after a full impact risk assessment has been completed, to establish that they are able to meet young people’s assessed needs. Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/07/2019 Full Good 07/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 5

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must— take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)) 18/04/2020

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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: 1256904 6

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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

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1256904 7 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

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

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