Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 1 Registered provider: Future Focused Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 1 April 2023. A manager has been appointed and they have applied to register with Ofsted.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/04/2022 Full Good 20/04/2021 Full Good 14/05/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and provide consistent support care and guidance. One child who has recently moved into the home said that they liked living there. They were eager to show a ‘visitor’s station’ set up in the dining area, with snacks and a welcome note from the child for visitors and family members.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. For these children, effective planning has taken place, in the form of introductory visits, meetings and key-worker sessions. This ensures that children have full details of the plans being made in relation to their move. One external professional said, ‘The team completed a fabulous transition for [name of child], which helped them settle.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Each child is supported to spend time with family members and people who are important to them. Staff ensure that there are clear plans in place so that children are able to maintain these key relationships and their sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop their independence, according to their individual needs. One child has been supported to learn new skills around budgeting, shopping and paying bills. The child has been helped to obtain paid employment and to get a provisional driving licence in preparation for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health and have access to a range of health services in the local area. When needs have been identified around a child’s sexual health, advice, guidance and support have been given so that the child can access appropriate services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child who recently moved into the home and has not accessed education for a significant period of time is now attending school, on an individualised timetable. This plan is effective and enables the child to receive formal education as well as additional support from staff when they are not in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children effectively. They have individual incentives in place which encourage children to show positive behaviour and make good choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in a range of activities which help them to keep physically fit and to promote their social and emotional well-being. Older children take part in activities such as darts, football, rugby and go-karting. One child is learning to swim by going swimming regularly with staff. Staff were proud of the child’s growing confidence in trying new activities.

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

There is a collaborative approach with partner agencies to reduce risks for children. When children are at risk of harm, staff know how to respond and take the necessary Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 4 action. Risk management plans are in place to support staff to take a consistent approach to safely caring for children.

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

Staff understand the risks that the internet poses for children and have effective safeguards in place to monitor children’s safety and welfare when they are online.

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

Children can identify a trusted adult they can talk to. Children know how to make a complaint. They are heard and understood, and advocacy and independent visitors are in place for children.

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

The use of physical intervention has not been required. Other techniques and strategies which require professional curiosity are used by the staff team to support children to manage their emotions more effectively.

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

Meaningful key-worker sessions with children take place regularly. These cover a variety of topics, enabling children to receive information, guidance and support from staff on issues that impact their lives, such as keeping safe online, managing emotions and feelings, and friendships and social development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has been in post since January 2024, but is not yet registered. Managers’ oversight has improved since the last inspection. An experienced deputy manager works alongside the manager. The management team has developed new systems which enable them to track incidents, giving them detailed oversight of the home to ensure the continued safety and protection of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is a stable staff team working in the home. Staff work collaboratively with one another to provide the children with consistent routines and stability. Staff say that they feel supported by the manager, that she is visible in the home and remains involved with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager ensures that the physical environment is maintained to a high standard and any damage or wear and tear is quickly repaired. The home is achieving its stated aims and objectives by keeping the statement of purpose under review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers recognise the emotional impact of the work on staff and provide effective support to the staff team. Supervision takes place regularly and team meetings further enhance the opportunity for staff to share their views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are trained to meet the children’s needs. Any additional training identified by leaders and managers is arranged. This means that children are cared for by staff who understand their individual needs. Staff work collaboratively to provide consistent care and support and have confidence in leaders and managers to address safeguarding concerns The staff team has clear responsibilities and there is a shared sense of working together. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 5 Leaders and managers use internal and external monitoring to review the quality of care provided to the children. They learn from placement breakdowns and identify areas for improvement through development plans and feedback from professionals and placing local authorities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

No recommendations or requirements have been raised following this inspection.

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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: 1241634 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future Focused Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Future Focused Limited, 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: 1241634 7 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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