Children's home run by Next Stage 4 Life Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 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

The home is one of a number operated by a private provider. It is registered to care for two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2022.

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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: 1256904 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/05/2021 Full Good 05/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/07/2019 Full Good 07/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress from their starting points. Children are supported by staff to make progress in areas identified in their care plans. Children say they are supported by staff. One child said, ‘[Name of staff member] is the best. She takes me seriously, she is approachable, and I am able to speak to her when I get angry.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend good-quality time with their families. This has resulted in one child having increased unsupervised time with their family. In relation to this, one parent said, ‘It is better now, we see each other much more often.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a large, modern and well-decorated home. Children feel settled and comfortable in their home. However, they say that having photos of themselves around the home would make the environment more homely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to make progress in education. One child has achieved exam results that were better than expected and another child has been able to attend the college of their choice. In relation to this, one social worker said, ‘There has been lots of work just to get [name of child] in college. I am amazed the team has been able to do this.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child’s high-risk behaviours have required a lot of support from staff. The other child told the inspector that this means that staff are not always available to do positive activities with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered support and guidance to develop independent living skills such as cooking, independent travelling and money management. However, one child has disengaged from this work, and staff have not been persistent enough in their efforts to re-engage the child. This means that the child may not develop all the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully move on from the home and live independently.

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

When children are at risk, staff respond appropriately. When staff have had to intervene physically, records show that this has helped reduce risks to children. Staff are actively trying to reduce future risks through key-work sessions.

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

External professionals are positive about the support from staff to keep children safe. One social worker said, ‘They keep her safe. I think they are absolutely fantastic. I have never had to worry about [name of child] because I know the support is in place.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 4 When there are concerns for children’s emotional well-being and mental health, staff seek professional support. The children have access to a psychotherapist who offers one-to-one support to children, along with advice, guidance and training to staff. This enables children to access support and for staff to have a better understanding of children’s needs.

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

Staff take part in weekly safeguarding meetings to consider any potential or ongoing risks to children. Senior managers in the organisation chair the meetings. These meetings help to ensure that risks are regularly reviewed and set out what action is needed to reduce risks to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably experienced manager who talks proudly about the children. The manager is supported by an assistant manager, the responsible individual and a senior manager in the wider organisation. Together, they form an effective management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has made changes to the home since coming into post. The staff office has been moved downstairs. This makes staff more accessible to children and allows the manager to have better oversight of what is happening in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about the support they get from the management team. Staff say they have regular and reflective supervision and enjoy their roles. One staff member said, ‘I enjoy coming into work. There has never been a day I haven’t wanted to come to work.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the care provided and has clear plans to make improvements. When shortfalls in staff practice have been identified by the manager, they have challenged appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social workers are positive about managers and say they have effective working relationships with them. They say managers are visible, good communicators, supportive and keep them up to date with how children are progressing. In relation to this, one social worker said, ‘They keep me well updated; they provide weekly written reports, I never have to chase them.’ Inspection report for 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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b)) 5 January 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should help each child to prepare for their move from the home and to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support. When the child is moving to live independently, they should be supported to develop practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)  The registered person should ensure that the home’s decor is homely and personalised to reflect each child living in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 6

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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: 1256904 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

Rob Neild, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 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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