Children's Home run by Next Stage 4Life Limited in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 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

This is one of several homes operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/07/2023 Full Good 04/07/2022 Full Good 13/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have strong and positive relationships with staff and say that they feel secure. Children are treated with dignity and respect. Staff know the children well, invest time in them and promote their welfare. This supports children to experience a sense of permanence and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend school and are making progress. One child has completed their examinations and has enrolled on a college course, with support from staff. Another child is attending school part time; however, staff have liaised effectively with headteachers of virtual schools and there is a clear plan for them to return to a full- time timetable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend after-school clubs, such as karate and youth groups. This supports them to develop their confidence and allows them to spend time with their friends in the local community. Children are supported to spend time with friends at chosen activities, such as swimming.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who struggle to manage their feelings are supported to access specialist services, such as mental health support. Staff support and celebrate the children’s individuality sensitively. This supports children to develop a positive view of themselves. A child said, ‘Staff are kind, caring, I can now be myself.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children new to the home are welcomed sensitively. The manager has consulted with staff and used an assessment tool to ensure that they have the skills and experience to care for children well. Children living at the home are consulted so that they are prepared when new children move in. This approach means that children experience well-planned moves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who have been unable to settle at the home have been supported to move on. This has been agreed with placing authority social workers to ensure that this meets the child’s needs. Positive endings are promoted, and children are supported to understand the reasons for moving on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s family members are welcomed to the home where possible. Staff understand who is important to the child and support them to see them in line with agreed plans. Children who struggle with their relationships are supported to make sense of this, and any concerns are shared with professionals such as social workers to explore alternative solutions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 4

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

Children living at the home said that they feel safe and cared for. Children said that staff understand them, have their best interests at heart, and they can trust staff. Children will speak to adults about any concerns they have, and these are responded to sensitively.

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

Children who have made allegations have been listened to and taken seriously. Actions have been taken to ensure that staff members who the allegations are against are not caring for children while thorough investigations are carried out. Children are informed of all actions taken and supported to understand the reasons for these in a timely manner. This supports children to feel safe and protected.

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

Children who go missing from home understand the actions that staff will take. This is set out in plans that are individual for each child. Staff know what their roles and responsibilities are and carry out area searches and liaise with parents and police to locate children. Children are supported and encouraged to return home and can speak independently to the missing-from-home team to better understand the reasons for this.

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

Children contribute to their plans and understand what actions staff will take when they struggle to manage their feelings safely. Staff use de-escalation techniques. When it has been necessary to hold a child to keep them safe, this has been proportionate and necessary. Children are supported to talk about their feelings and the reason a hold has been used.

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

Children are protected and helped to keep themselves safe. When there have been concerns in relation to online grooming, staff have ensured that parental controls are in place and that children are provided with the opportunity to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff have strong relationships with professionals such as the local authority designated officer and social workers. This means that there is a proactive response to any known safeguarding concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, dedicated, inspirational and places children at the centre of his practice. The manager is supported by an experienced team that shares his ambitious view. Staff feel supported and are provided with training that is relevant to children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes in the staffing. However, the manager has successfully recruited new staff and there is sufficient staff in post to care for children. When agency staff have been used, they have been consistent so that children are familiar with who is caring for them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 5 The manager has clear oversight of incidents that occur to ensure that staff are responding in line with children’s individual plans. An additional layer of scrutiny is in place through a head of care and in-house therapist. This means that any areas of weakness are quickly identified and addressed, such as additional training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, and this is an opportunity to consider their practice and development. Team meetings are used to consider the progress children are making and as an opportunity to reflect and identify improvements across the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have strong relationships with professionals such as police, social workers, and parents. This means that children are provided with the necessary support to promote positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 6

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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: 2600759 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 to 53 Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 4QR

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 8 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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