Children's home run by Next Stage 4 Life Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this children’s home. The home is registered to provide care for two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 23 January 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2024 Full Good 30/11/2022 Full Good 18/05/2021 Full Good 05/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 3

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outstanding

Children have made exceptional progress from their individual starting points. Children have built relationships with staff they trust. Children’s identities are accepted without question for who they are and who they want to be. Individual identities are embraced and celebrated by staff.

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outstanding

The home environment is warm and welcoming, with photos of the children displayed throughout. The house is decorated tastefully to a high standard, with lots of home comforts. Children who are new to the home are welcomed sensitively and are supported to decorate their bedroom to match their individual taste.

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outstanding

Children are happy living at the home because of the level of support from the whole staff team. Children have positive relationships with each other. Staff manage any disputes between them sensitively and quickly to stop them from escalating. One child, during the inspection, brought a gift in for the other child that they had made at school. The in-house therapist commented that this would not have happened previously.

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outstanding

Managers and staff strongly advocate for children to attend the school or college that meets their individual needs. They work in partnership with teachers and social workers. They then continue this work to ensure that children’s barriers to education are understood and addressed and children achieve their potential. Managers professionally challenge the local authority when they believe they are not acting in the children’s best interests.

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outstanding

Children are in good health and are making progress physically, emotionally and socially. Children’s needs are assessed quickly when they arrive at the home, and plans are put in place with the assistance of the in-house therapist to understand the child’s individual needs. Children’s emotional mental health has improved considerably since living in the home, and children are encouraged to spend time outside doing physical activities. The manager and staff use research and resources to teach children about growing up, relationships and emotions and talk to the children about staying safe away from the home.

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outstanding

Children who have made disclosures about past harm have been sensitively supported by staff. Staff recognise that children need to feel safe and secure. A nurturing environment allows children to manage their feelings safely. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques and Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 4 creative alternative strategies to prevent behaviours from escalating. Restraint is only used as a last resort to protect children from harm.

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outstanding

Staff understand trauma. Research has been used to develop their skills and understanding of incidents such as attachment and bereavement. Staff have regular meetings with the home’s therapist so that the care provided and progress can be reviewed. This has resulted in children feeling secure and being able to share information about their past traumatic experiences.

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outstanding

Staff are proactive in supporting children when they feel overwhelmed by their feelings. They ensure that children receive support which is individual to the child. Children are encouraged to make mistakes in a safe environment and learn from incidents when things do not go to plan. They are helped to plan how they would deal with things differently in the future.

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outstanding

Risk management plans are clear, easy to follow and effective at helping staff to keep children safe. Each child has an individual risk assessment plan, which is reviewed regularly by the manager. Risks are well understood and identified as directly relevant to each child. They are written in depth, identifying the risk, triggers associated with the risk and how staff are to respond. Staff have a clear understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities of the children and how to manage and support them.

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outstanding

Children know how to make a complaint and voice their opinions if they are not happy about something. Equally, children know how to express joy and know that success is rewarded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of staff to improve the lives of the children they care for. She leads by example and has introduced innovative and creative ideas to sustain the highest quality of care for children. This is reflected in her oversight and monitoring of children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervisions, appraisals and team meetings which are underpinned by research and development. During supervision, behaviours of the children and practices of the staff are thoroughly examined, and actionable steps are agreed. Team meetings are well attended. Often, the home’s therapist will attend for bespoke training on a particular area of practice or theory relevant to the children. The meetings provide staff with opportunities to discuss the children at length and reflect on their care. This helps them to think about how best to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A strength of the staff team is the promotion of equality and diversity. This ensures that children’s cultural and individual needs are met. Children can talk to the staff about whatever issues affect them. Children know that staff will be supportive of their views. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 5 Effective partnership work ensures that children’s care plans are progressed. The manager advocates for children and escalates her concerns when children’s needs are not met. Feedback from external professionals has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the advocacy work on behalf of children. A teacher said, ‘The staff provide great care for [name of child] and they know about managing [name of child’s] risks.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is dedicated to the children. One member of staff said, ‘The manager is a fantastic manager to work with and supportive. I would not do any other job.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The workforce development plan includes future planning to support staff’s progression. This is inclusive and involves working with staff and children to make improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The consistent leadership team is central to supporting staff, being a role model and offering advice and guidance to the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 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: 1256904 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

Nicola Jeffery, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256904 8 and inspects 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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