Children's home run by Next Stage 4 Life Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4 Life limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this children’s home. The home is registered to provide care for two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 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 outstanding

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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: 30 November 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: 1256904 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/11/2022 Full Good 18/05/2021 Full Good 05/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are photos of the children displayed around the home, as well as certificates of their achievements. The children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual tastes. One of the children had just had their birthday party, and the balloons, cards and flowers were still on display. This all contributes to a feeling of a warm and happy home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a range of activities. They enjoy activities that interest them individually; one child enjoys playing football and going to the park, and the other enjoys Japanese animation and visiting escape rooms. Staff help children to explore activities that capture their imagination. This means that children expand their life experiences, establish healthy routines and form happy childhood memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and work hard to provide a settled, happy home and lots of fun. Staff say they ‘love’ their job. It benefits children greatly to have positive, motivated adults caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is preparing to move to semi-independence. The manager has advocated on their behalf. This has ensured that they have the resources they need in their new home. They have a clear plan to introduce them to their new home. This preparation will help the child to adapt to the changes in their living arrangements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's school attendance is variable. One child has good school attendance. An education professional said, ‘[Child’s name] is thriving, he has come on leaps and bounds.’ The other child does not fully engage in education. The staff team has been creative in promoting this child’s education, but this has not been effective.

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

Staff have been effective in managing self-injurious behaviours. This is because they help children to understand the feelings behind these behaviours. As a result, one child has not self-harmed for over four months.

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

Children have individual, up-to-date risk assessments. The manager keeps a clear oversight of children’s plans and risk assessments. The records show that children’s risks have reduced over time. Staff follow changes in risk assessments. This means children are becoming safer.

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

Staff rarely use physical interventions. The manager reviews all incidents. Their analysis enables them to make changes in staff practice. This helps to avoid situations where staff need to hold children to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 4 Staff manage children’s behaviour through rewards and incentives. This supports children to learn how to manage their emotions and behaviours. This will support them to integrate well into society.

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

One child has had access to a smart phone and has at times accessed inappropriate content. The manager has restricted access and managed emerging risks. It is important that staff are aware of their powers to remove devices, particularly when this may present a safeguarding issue.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

An experienced and qualified manager manages the home. The manager knows the children extremely well. She works directly with them and advocates strongly on their behalf. The manager is focused on the children’s needs and ensures they receive the care from staff that helps them to progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager offers both formal and informal supervision to staff. Supervision is regular and provides an opportunity for staff to reflect on their work with the children. All staff have been through a detailed induction programme and are very well prepared for their role. This supports staff development, which ensures positive, informed care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular team meetings. These enable them to discuss their plans and ambitions for the children. There is also a thorough discussion to share information when staff change over. This positive communication ensures that care practice is consistent and boundaries are clear. This means that children feel secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s monitoring of the service is extremely thorough. She has an excellent overview of the children’s files and daily records. The manager analyses children’s records each week and makes changes to staff practice as needed to meet the needs of the children. This detailed overview assists staff to keep children’s needs as the central focus of their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager keeps in close contact with partner agencies. This ensures that children are the central focus. A social worker said, ‘The staff have a trauma- informed ethos and make use of good therapeutic advice and guidance from the experienced manager and in-house therapist.’ Everyone working with the children are working in close partnership to ensure they make positive progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that consultation takes place with the placing authority so that the provider can be assured that day-to-day risks can be assessed and managed in relation to access to the internet, apps and social media. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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 6

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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

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 7 regulates and inspects 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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