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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and run and provides care for up to two children. The home’s statement of purpose states that it offers a service to children irrespective of gender aged between eight and 18 years. The home supports children from a wide variety of backgrounds of differing circumstances, including those with behavioural or other difficulties, and those who need intensive support.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous manager left in February 2022 and the new manager has yet to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/05/2021 Full Good 05/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently one child living in the home. Another child recently left after the decision was reached that the staff were unable to meet their complex mental health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives thoughtful and nurturing care from the staff. They work hard to maintain good routines and boundaries that enable him to feel secure and establish trusting relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child feels a sense of ownership in living at the home. He is regularly consulted about his care, and staff encourage him to voice his wishes and feelings. The home is welcoming and well maintained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child to engage in life-enriching experiences and to try new activities, such as ‘wild camping’. He benefits from a dedicated toy room and his bedroom reflects his interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since living at the home, his relationships and time spent with family have improved. This has resulted in family time becoming more activity-based and not requiring support or supervision from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently does not have a permanent educational setting identified. Staff work hard to maintain his routines, encourage his engagement in the temporary arrangements and complete educational work. Although staff and the manager advocate on the child’s behalf, this shortfall has not been escalated effectively by the manager.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the last inspection, there have not been any complaints or allegations, nor any concerns with regard to children misusing alcohol or drugs.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child is helped to behave in socially acceptable ways and adhere to the boundaries that are in place. Staff use a range of strategies to encourage positive behaviour, and they provide appropriate challenge and support as necessary.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been an increase in incidents requiring the assistance of the police. Advice to staff is not clear with regard to the circumstances in which the police should be called. In addition, not all staff have adhered to managerial advice and direction to prevent incidents reoccurring.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child says that he feels safe at the home and professionals concur with this view. Staff are knowledgeable with regard to his vulnerabilities and triggers that can result in him becoming upset. Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 4 Staff spend quality time with the child talking about a variety of subjects and issues that are pertinent to him. They take an open and educative approach to supporting positive behaviour and choices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous manager retired in February 2022 and the new manager has been in post since this time. She has worked at the home a number of years prior to taking up this position. She has yet to register with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff turnover at the home is very low and this offers consistency and stability to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child-focused in her approach to running the home. She is very knowledgeable about the child and his plans. Staff speak highly of her support and the direction she offers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and there is a range of training that is available to maintain and increase their skills and knowledge base. However, staff have not been trained in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or providing care to children who have suffered childhood trauma. These areas are of particular significance for the child placed. Consequently, staff have not had the opportunity to review their care of the child in light of this insight and knowledge. Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to the registered person challenging and escalating concerns effectively relating to children’s educational placements. 30 June 2022

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that staff are trained in delivering care to children who have specific needs, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or who have suffered childhood trauma. 30 July 2022

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 30 June 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concerns about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that staff adhere to managerial instructions to prevent incidents reoccurring and that staff understand when it is necessary to involve the police.

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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 for children’s home: 1270297 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life 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

Pauline Yates, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1270297 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 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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