Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 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 children’s home is privately owned. The provider states in their statement of purpose that they provide care for one child who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2023.

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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: 8 November 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/11/2022 Full Outstanding 28/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home and has been supported well by the staff team with an individualised transition plan. Having some familiarity with the staff and the home has enabled the child to develop relationships with the adults quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living at the home is making good progress. They are being cared for by staff who are supportive in their approach and who understand the child’s lived experiences. One professional said that the staff are ‘patient’ with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team around the child has identified the child’s vulnerabilities and associated risks. The team has implemented creative ways to engage the child to enable them to enjoy independence while the team supports their needs and ensures their safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff respect the child’s wishes and feelings and take an empathetic approach when doing so. This needs to be balanced against what is in the child’s best interests in relation to their ongoing health and education needs, particularly as the child progresses into adulthood. A recommendation has been raised to this effect.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has their own plan, which details their progress on a monthly basis. This enables the child to have an overview of what has worked well for them and what may need to change. This plan is a good consultation tool that encourages participation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager has worked proactively in a multi-agency capacity when concerns have arisen. This has enabled the professionals involved to share information promptly and devise a safety plan for the child.

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

Risks are identified early. Staff clearly understand these risks and manage them accordingly. Staff provide the child with support and care to ensure that they are safe and protected from further harm.

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

There have been no incidents of the child going missing from care. There are comprehensive documents and easy-to-follow guidance for the staff to adhere to should an incident occur. Staff spoken to are fully aware of safeguarding procedures and protocols.

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

The child is engaging in education. The registered manager has been proactive in developing a plan that is suited to the child’s specific needs. This is working for the child and they are making progress. The child is positive about building on this success. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 4 Staff promote and encourage the child’s good health and well-being, even when this is met with resistance. The child is engaging more readily in conversations about health promotion, enabled by the consistent approach of the staff.

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

The staff are flexible in supporting family time arrangements and do so in accordance with the child’s wishes and feelings. This builds trust between the child and the adults who care for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s monitoring and clear oversight of the home are thorough. The manager has developed exceptional monitoring systems. These enable her to track the quality of care provided to the child and to consider what new ways of working may be required to ensure the child’s continued progress and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is proactive in acting on concerns quickly. She is confident in working in a multi-agency capacity and is consistent in her approach. Professionals spoken with say that the manager is readily available and shares information quickly to enable effective, timely planning for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager leads the home by example. She is child-focused and speaks proudly of the child’s achievements. She has built a good relationship with the child, who trusts her to listen and respond to their grumbles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is fully staffed, which provides the child with consistency of care. The staff speak positively about working at the home and how well they feel supported by the manager. They say that she is encouraging in her approach and is supportive of their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a clear understanding of the skills and experience new staff members bring to the home due to safer recruitment practice. This informs her decision-making around rota schedules to ensure that there is a good balance of leaders and experienced staff on each rota pattern.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals, which are reflective and assess individual performance. Staff say that they can approach the manager any time. One staff member said, ‘ I have never worked with a manager who is as hands on and readily available.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a sound understanding of the strengths of the home and the areas for development. There is a detailed plan for continued improvements to the home. Staff are up to date with their training and have received additional training specific to meeting children’s complex needs. The manager is up to date with research and shares this information during team meetings to encourage staff discussion, development and learning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 5 Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 6

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Recommendation

The registered person should ensure that when a child express wishes that are not always in their best interests, the responsible adults will have to balance the wishes of the child against what they judge to be in the best interests of the child and reach a reasonable view about the best way forward. The reasons for reaching any decision will need to be carefully explained to and understood by the child concerned. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.9)

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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: 2591916 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: Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

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Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 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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