Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Sefton

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 1 SC061924

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Registered provider: Progressive Futures Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a small provider of children’s homes. It provides care for three children who may experience 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

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 2

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Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Outcome from the inspection

The new registered manager has made a significant difference in ensuring that the home is operating in line with regulations and has developed new systems to improve her monitoring and oversight.

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Outcome from the inspection

Children are welcomed into the home with clear plans and opportunities to visit the home prior to coming to stay. This helps children feel valued and enables them to understand the levels of support that staff will provide.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff develop positive relationships with children. They engage children in activities and discussions. This helps children to understand their vulnerabilities and regulate their behaviour.

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Outcome from the inspection

Children learn new skills such as cooking, washing, budgeting and shopping. This helps to prepare children for their futures and develops their confidence.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff promote children’s health and well-being. Staff ensure that children attend medical appointments and access appropriate support for their emotional well-being.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff know children well. They spend time with children, getting to know each person’s unique interests. As a result, children take part in a wide range of activities. This gives children the opportunity to develop new skills and increase their confidence and self-esteem.

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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager and staff understand that children’s views are important. Staff obtain children’s views through key-work sessions and by spending time talking to children about their views, wishes and feelings. This ensures that children feel listened to and are empowered to make decisions about their home and their care.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff help children to have family time with important adults in their lives. Staff encourage family members to visit the home and welcome them for meals. Children feel proud to welcome their family into the home. This is supporting children to build and maintain positive relationships.

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Outcome from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have not been any safeguarding concerns. Staff understand their role in protecting children and use humour and positive praise to support children in crisis. This approach is supporting children to regulate their behaviours.

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Outcome from the inspection

Children live in a clean and homely environment. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and contribute to any changes to the decor in the home. This helps children identify the space as their home. The registered manager has Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 3 further plans to enhance the environment to ensure it is maintained to a high standard.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff attend regular training to help them to respond effectively to children’s needs. Staff use online information and resources to develop useful guides for children. This raises children’s awareness of important issues, such as solvent abuse. Children complete online training, that staff also access, to help them gain an understanding of the risks they may face. This helps to minimise risks for children.

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Outcome from the inspection

Staff feel supported by their manager. They attend regular team meetings and staff supervision, which helps them to reflect on their practice. One member of staff said, ‘The new manager is great. She is always readily available and consistently goes above and beyond.’

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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager and staff are strong advocates for children and have challenged placing authorities when they have not acted in the best interest of the child. This supports children with their life experiences.

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Outcome from the inspection

The registered manager is passionate about the home and has high expectations for the children and her staff team. She has already developed several documents to ensure that each child’s journey through care is captured.

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Outcome from the inspection

In response to a previous requirement, managers have improved the quality of records in the home. Records are clear, detailed and regularly updated. There are now clear risk management and behaviour management strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe. Children’s care records have also improved and demonstrate their journey through care.

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Outcome from the inspection

The provider has implemented new internal monitoring systems in response to a previous requirement. This has supported the improvements in the home in meeting the previous requirements. External monitoring of the home continues to lack an evaluation on the quality of care provided and is not provided to the regulator in a timely way.

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Outcome from the inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made at this visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/03/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Progressive Futures Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 55 Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0PG

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Inspectors

Nichola Croft, Social Care Inspector Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC061924 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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