Children's home run by Future Focused Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 1 Registered provider: Future focused limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. The provider states in its statement of purpose that the home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child is currently being cared for in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably experienced and has been registered since April 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

Date of last inspection: 27 September 2022

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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: 2495397 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2022 Full Good 22/09/2021 Full Good 04/06/2019 Full Good 21/03/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living at this home are supported by a strong and nurturing staff team. Children benefit from structured routines and boundaries, which help them to develop a sense of permanence and belonging. Children have trusted and secure relationships with staff, who invest time in them and know them well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education. Children, when required, are supported by staff in the classroom. One child has additional sessions with an external tutor, which is helping them with their learning. Children are making progress. Staff advocate on behalf of children with a clear plan in place for a return to full-time education. Children understand their plans and are supported to attend meetings so that they are included in any decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Routine and more-complex health appointments are supported by staff. Staff ensure that children to have a clear understanding about what will happen in these appointments and what they can expect. Staff have advocated for specialist support for children when it is required. Regular reviews take place so that children’s changing needs are considered and responded to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who are new to the home are welcomed sensitively and supported to personalise and create their own space. One child said, ‘I designed my bedroom and chose the theme, over time, we progressed and designed this.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A decision-making tool shows that the manager, prior to any children moving in, considers the child’s needs, history and behaviour, and the needs of existing children in the home. Children who have left the home have been prepared and supported for this to happen.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their family and have positive relationships with parents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities on a day-to-day basis to experience enjoyable and fun activities. Staff recognise children’s individual talents and interests. A range of activities take place, such as walks, bike rides, going to fun parks, and holidays away. Staff ensure that memories are captured and recorded. This is important for children and will allow them to understand their journey into adulthood.

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

A child living at the home said, ‘I feel safe, listened to, and can speak to all the staff. They comfort me when I am upset.’ This means that children trust staff, and it is clear from the interactions between children and staff that they can talk about any issues affecting them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 4 Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting children. Staff are clear about, and follow, procedures for responding to concerns about the safety of a child. When allegations have been made, they have been responded to quickly so that children are kept safe.

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

Staff use a range of strategies that are individual to the child’s needs. Positive behaviour is promoted and children are rewarded. A professional said, ‘Initially [name of child] was testing personal boundaries; however, consistent approaches from the staff team means this has reduced.’

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

Risk assessments reflect children’s individual needs. Assessments include the views of children, parents, and professionals. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to reduce risk. Risks associated with sexualised behaviour are clearly understood and specialist support has been put in place. Children are supported to understand how they can keep safe, with clear boundaries in place.

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

When children have been missing from home, appropriate action has been taken. Staff search for and locate children so that they are returned home safely and quickly. Children receive return-home interviews following episodes of being missing.

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

Clear records are in place when children have needed to be held to keep them safe. This has been proportionate and necessary. Children are supported to understand why this has happened. Clear management oversight and staff debriefs help to evaluate practice so that it can be altered or changed.

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

Careful recruitment processes ensure that staff are suitable and safe to work with children. Children live in a well-maintained home that provides them with space and privacy. A therapy room is available so that children can be supported in a safe and nurturing space when they are upset.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively and efficiently by a permanent, suitably experienced, and qualified registered manager. There is a full staff team, who are suitably qualified and skilled. New staff complete a probation period and are enrolled on a recognised childcare qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Mandatory and specialist training has been completed by the staff team so that they have the necessary skills to care for children well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings, supervision and staff appraisals are completed regularly. They are practice related, evaluative, and reflective. This allows staff to consider their training and development so that practice is improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works collaboratively with a range of professionals and parents. A professional said, ‘You can see that [name of child] is making progress. Communication is excellent, staff go beyond to support education, therapy, and Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 5 family time. It is a nurturing environment.’ All professionals recognise the progress that children are making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal monitoring and review systems are in place. The manager has a clear development plan in place. Lessons learned reviews have been completed when children have left the home. This allows for leaders and managers to reflect, analyse, and understand what is needed so that outcomes for children are continually improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 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: 2495397 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future focused limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Future Focused Ltd, Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2495397 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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