Children's home run by Next Stage 4Life Limited

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children or young people.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not judged

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 2534179 2

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The care of children

This home provides a warm and nurturing environment for young people. The decor has been carefully chosen to ensure that it reflects a homely and secure environment that staff and young people take pride in.

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The care of children

Staff build nurturing and supportive attachments with young people. This helps young people feel safe in the knowledge that there are adults who will listen to them. Staff provide clear boundaries and guidance without being overbearing in their approach.

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The care of children

The home was registered with Ofsted in June 2019. In March 2020, the home had its first young person through its doors. This young person had transferred from another home within the company. Staff supported the wishes and feelings of this young person and successfully transitioned the young person to semi-independent accommodation near to his family and education institution. This ensured that this young person was able to continue his education close to his new home, and maintain his identity back in his home town.

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The care of children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people have maintained contact with family members. The spacious garden area has been used for socially distanced family time. Staff also prepared a Sunday dinner to ensure a positive experience for young people with their family.

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The care of children

Young people who were previously not in education are now attending education provision. Staff have facilitated professional meetings, such as education meetings, which have taken place in the garden area during the pandemic. Staff have encouraged one young person to pursue his passion for rap music and attend a bespoke course.

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The care of children

Young people have their healthcare needs met and are registered with local primary care medical services. Staff take swift action should a young person need medical care.

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The safety of children

Young people have detailed risk assessments in place to ensure that they are kept safe. Some young people have additional risk assessments to cover medical and health risks. All incidents of young people going missing from the home are clearly recorded. Staff carry out ‘safe and well’ checks in the community by prior agreement with the young person. Staff ensure that key agencies and family are notified should a young person not return as agreed.

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The safety of children

Senior staff attend strategy and care planning meetings. This enables them to have a detailed understanding of any concerns. The home has good liaison with placing authorities and police safeguarding units. Assurance visit report: 2534179 3 There is good liaison with family members, including a home visit to a parent. The manager also encourages family members to attend the home for family time.

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The safety of children

When necessary, staff have had additional training to fully understand the medical condition and medication management of one young person in their care. This has included liaison with a specialist nurse. This provides staff with the knowledge to manage a situation confidently, should a medical incident occur.

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Leaders and managers

The home benefits from the guidance of an experienced registered manager. The manager is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for young people and recognises the individual needs of each young person in her care.

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Leaders and managers

The home benefits from a core team of staff that provides consistent care to young people. The manager and her deputy have carefully selected a staff team that is nurturing and supportive. As most staff have worked together before, the members of the team are able to recognise each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The home does not employ agency staff and the team covers any absences by taking on additional shifts. The consistency of staff also ensures that infection risks during the pandemic are minimised.

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Leaders and managers

Key stakeholders and agencies report positive working relationships, and professionals report that staff go ‘above and beyond’ and provide a high level of nurture and care to young people.

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Leaders and managers

An independent visitor continues to monitor and assess the well-being of young people. Video or phone contact has been used for these visits. Young people are encouraged to speak to the independent visitor.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is required to produce a monitoring report on the home. Although this report has been completed, it lacks some evaluation. This is an important tool for the manager to monitor the progress of the home and to submit it to HMCI in a timely manner. Therefore, a statutory requirement has been made to address this matter.

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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, the 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. Assurance visit report: 2534179 4

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Stage 4 Life Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Kamal Bhamra, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2534179 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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