Children's home run by Next Stage 4Life Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 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 owned by a private company. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 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: 22 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: 2534179 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/11/2022 Full Good 25/05/2021 Full Good 12/03/2020 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported well by managers and staff, who hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them built on trust and affection. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet the children’s needs well. One child said: ‘Having the staff support has helped me change.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. The home is decorated nicely and has a relaxed atmosphere. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. Children’s certificates and photos are displayed around the home. This gives the children a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff promote children’s education. There is good information- sharing between staff and the children’s education providers. The manager remains persistent in their attempt to fully engage children in education and supports one child with volunteering work. This has led to improved educational attainment and attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people that are important to them. Staff maintain good communication with children’s families. This provides children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain relationships with people that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities both inside and outside of the home. Activities include spa nights, arts and crafts, roller skating, swimming, and attending a local beavers group. This supports children to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent and develop new skills, depending on their age and understanding. Staff support one child to wash their laundry and get involved in cooking, which helps to promote their independence skills.

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them to understand their emotions. Staff are creative in the ways they interact with one child around emotions, including the use of drawings, emotions charts and sign language. This helps the children to manage their behaviours more effectively.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The manager evaluates consequences, ensuring that consequences are proportionate and restorative. Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 4 Children have individual risk assessments that are consistently reviewed and updated by managers and staff. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. Staff use these discussions to increase children’s understanding and safety. Staff have a good understanding of the missing-from-home procedures.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The managers work closely with professionals to ensure that the children receive appropriate support. One social worker said: ‘Staff have developed a good working relationship with [name of child]’s network of support’.

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

The manager and staff work closely with the home’s therapist to ensure the best therapeutic support for the children. One social worker said: ‘The therapeutic parenting approach really stands out.’

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

Staff are provided with regular mandatory training as well as other identified areas of training. Training includes safeguarding, first aid, child sexual exploitation and ‘Prevent’, drugs and alcohol, and attachment. This ensures that staff have the skills to support children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is working towards gaining a leadership and management qualification. Managers speak about the children with warmth and enthusiasm. The managers advocate well for children in all aspects of their lives, including education and care planning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains good levels of communication with other professionals. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. One social worker said: ‘The staff have fantastic communication with me and other professionals.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel supported by the managers. Staff receive regular supervision sessions in line with the home’s statement of purpose. These provide opportunities for the staff to reflect on and to develop their practice and ways to support the children. One member of staff said: ‘There is really good support, don’t think you can ask for more.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings are regular and effective. Team development days are held to further develop staff practice and knowledge. The development days encourage staff to reflect on their practice. Staff apply their learning effectively in their day-to-day work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s records are well organised and detailed. However, one child’s care plan was not accurately dated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. The manager has good oversight of children’s progress and any Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 5 changes needed. Management oversight and monitoring of the home are effective. However, the quality of care review report could be further enhanced by seeking the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s care plans are regularly reviewed and accurately dated. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 11.1)  The registered person should ensure that they have a system in place which allows them to monitor the matters set out in regulation 45 specifically relating to the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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: 2534179 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

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 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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