Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591916 1

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Future Focused Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one child who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered on 20 July 2020. The manager is working towards the relevant qualification.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place using a blended approach of both on- and off-site activity. The child living in the home chose not to speak with the inspector. The focus of the visit was to ensure that children’s needs are being met and that they are safe.

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This monitoring visit

The home is light and airy, with suitable decoration and furnishings throughout. It is a nurturing and warm environment. Locks on communal doors are in place. The manager confirmed that he is taking action to review their presence.

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This monitoring visit

The child has made significant progress while living in the home. This is a step-down placement for her and the professionals around her say that she is safe, thriving, has good routines and is being supported to take pride in herself. One professional said, ‘The staff go above and beyond to encourage [Name] to speak with me and have her voice heard.’

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This monitoring visit

The child’s needs and vulnerabilities are understood. Staff work therapeutically to implement consistent boundaries that help the child to feel safe. They have created an environment where she is able to develop positive, trusting relationships with those around her. They support her to take age-appropriate risks as safely as possible, through providing an appropriate balance of supervision and increasing periods of free time. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591916 2 Guidance and expectations around COVID-19 (coronavirus) are clear and routinely followed within the home. The team works with the in-house therapist and specialist services to promote a healthier lifestyle. The child is being supported with smoking cessation, but a clear plan around this was not in place at the time of the visit.

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This monitoring visit

Education is well promoted, and staff are insightful about the issues which may be impacting on the child’s motivation to physically attend lessons. They have worked with other professionals to create an education package that enables the child to attend remotely with staff support. In addition, the team has sourced online courses and the child has achieved certificates in relevant topics.

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This monitoring visit

The child is helped to keep in touch with people who are important to her. Staff encourage positive peer relationships, and complete direct work sessions to explore issues.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding practices are robust. Detailed risk and behaviour management plans provide staff with strategies to follow and are regularly reviewed. However, the manager has not ensured that the written plans are consistently kept up to date. This has not had any impact on the child, as the staff have effective handovers, which include discussions around updates to plans.

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This monitoring visit

Risks are well understood, and staff proactively manage safeguarding incidents. They communicate effectively with others and work as part of the wider system to keep the child safe. Procedures are routinely followed, and attempts are made to locate the child if she does not return to the home as expected. There has been a reduction in the number of serious incidents, as staff remain vigilant to triggers and are supporting the child to make safer choices.

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This monitoring visit

The team is nurturing, and child centred. Although recently formed, it is a strong, stable team whose members work together consistently. Staff say that they are well supported by the manager and the wider organisation, with opportunities for them to develop and progress.

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This monitoring visit

The manager provides clear leadership and has oversight of the home. Incidents are well managed. However, the manager did not notify Ofsted of one serious incident of the child going missing from care, as required by legislation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

This home has not been inspected. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591916 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should review and risk-assess the presence of locks on internal communal doors. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that plans reflect strategies in place to support the child to lead a healthier lifestyle, particularly in relation to smoking cessation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)  The registered person should ensure that information is clearly recorded and consistently reviewed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)–(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home

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Recommendations

which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future Focused Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 1, Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

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Inspector

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2591916 4 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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Inspector

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