Children's home run by Wigan Council in Wigan

Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 1 SC040926 Registered provider: Wigan Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a local authority. It provides care for up to five children on a short break or emergency care arrangement. Outreach support is also provided to children and their parents/carers in the community.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There were no children staying in the home at the time of the inspection. One child who had previously stayed in the home spoke to the inspector about their experiences there.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 24 April 2009.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2023 Full Good 15/03/2022 Full Good 17/09/2019 Full Inadequate 08/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 3

p.2

outstanding

Children are at the centre of practice in the home. They benefit from high-quality, nurturing care that is child-centred and tailored to meet their individual needs. Consequently, children are helped to make progress in all areas of their lives.

p.3

outstanding

When children arrive at the home, staff are extremely skilled at reassuring them and building trust. This helps children to feel cared for and able to trust professionals.

p.3

outstanding

Staff persistently seek out new ways to communicate more effectively with children. They adapt existing strategies and explore new methods to help children talk about things that are important to them. Staff proactively promote advocacy services and have implemented digital technology to enable children to self-refer to the advocacy service. This ensures that children receive independent support to understand what is happening in relation to their care and to have their wishes and views heard.

p.3

outstanding

Children have access to a range of new and meaningful activities. They are encouraged to explore nature through bushcraft activities, as well as other physical and creative opportunities. This helps children to develop important independent skills and to become more confident.

p.3

outstanding

Communication is a key strength in the home. Families and professionals are kept updated about the progress children make. One family member said, ‘The staff are extremely helpful and kind. I could not suggest anything at all to improve things as it was so good.’

p.3

outstanding

Staff consistently use language that is child-centred and trauma informed. Children’s records are exceptionally well maintained and are written in ways that are helpful for children. Staff carefully create records for children of their stays in the home that include pictures of memorable times. This enables children to look back on memories and helps them to recognise and celebrate their achievements and progress.

p.3

outstanding

Staff skilfully deliver direct work with children in line with their plans. Management oversight is consistent and any barriers to children’s progress are immediately addressed. Consequently, children develop ambitions and aspirations for the future.

p.3

outstanding

Practice in the home is underpinned by a strong safeguarding culture. Managers robustly assess and manage risks for children before and during their stays. This ensures that children’s needs can be safely met alongside those of other children staying in the home. Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 4 Daily multi-agency risk meetings are held to ensure that information is shared effectively among professionals. Professionals with specific safeguarding expertise provide consultation to the team to ensure that children’s risks and vulnerabilities are exceptionally well understood. This strong collaborative approach helps to reduce risks for children.

p.3

outstanding

Staff are passionate about developing their practice. They undertake regular training and are supported by an in-house clinical team to understand children’s individual needs. Children’s plans are detailed and include individualised strategies of support that are tailored to each child. Staff consistently apply research-based practice to improve their care of the children. They remain vigilant to risks and are proactive in preventing incidents from occurring.

p.4

outstanding

Staff’s understanding and application of the trauma-informed model used in the home are excellent. Staff know how to respond to children and support them effectively during times of crisis. Children are helped to recognise, understand and positively manage their emotions. One child said they felt comfortable and safe when in the home.

p.4

outstanding

Children rarely go missing from the home. When incidents do occur, staff respond rapidly to ensure that children are safeguarded. Managers review the actions taken by staff and apply any learning to further develop practice in the home.

p.4

outstanding

Staff have extensive skills in holding important conversations with children. Although children may only stay at the home for a short period of time, topics such as the risks of using vapes, substance misuse and consent in relationships are discussed. Consequently, children are empowered with the knowledge they need to make safer choices.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is meticulous and dynamic in her management of the service. She is well respected by children, their families, other professionals and staff.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are committed to continually improving the service. They use feedback from children, families and external professionals to make positive changes. As a result, the service is highly successful in supporting children to return home or move on to a long term placement.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have high aspirations for children and have developed a culture where staff excel in their roles. Staff are empowered to take the lead on specific areas of improvement. Innovation is encouraged and creativity is valued. This means staff are highly motivated and involved in finding new ways to support the children in their care. Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 5 Mangers have implemented highly effective monitoring systems to provide them with excellent oversight of practice. Managers seek to understand the child’s journey into, and on from, their stay in the home. This helps to identify opportunities to improve the experiences of children beyond the care they receive in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The quality of supervisions and appraisals that managers carry out is exceptional. Staff are provided with an effective space to reflect on their practice and a valuable source of support. Opportunities for development are identified, with goals clearly defined. Staff also access therapeutic consultations from the clinical team. As a result, staff feel supported and committed in fulfilling their roles.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

p.5

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: SC040926 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1YN

p.6

Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC040926 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7