Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 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 home is registered to care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of inspection. Both children were spoken to by inspectors.

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have built trusting relationships with children. The quality of these relationships was observed during the inspection. Children engaged with staff in a natural way and staff responded to children in a thoughtful, caring and sensitive manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff ensure that children’s bedrooms are clean, tidy and personalised to their specific taste. Children engage in activities in the home such as construction activities and creative play. One child was getting ready to go out to the amusement arcade with staff, which was their chosen activity.

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Findings from the inspection

Children attend school regularly and are receiving appropriate support in accordance with their specific needs. The children’s education, health and care plans are up to date, detailing specific support needs and how these needs can be met by professionals involved in the child’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

The children’s health needs are met, and staff encourage children to attend routine health appointments. The manager has been proactive in communicating with health professionals about children’s specific health conditions to ensure they are receiving the most appropriate care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff working in the home are clear about procedures for responding to concerns about the safety of a child. The staff and manager have completed relevant training to support their knowledge and understanding and the manager has implemented flow charts as a quick guide reference.

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Findings from the inspection

Key-worker sessions take place with children and cover topics that are relevant to the child and their specific needs. Conversations are meaningful and educational and address issues sensitively so that children can make positive choices and feel good about themselves.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff monitor children’s use of electronic devices to ensure that they are having safe interactions online. The manager has liaised with external online child protection services to access additional resources that will enable staff to educate the children to make positive choices when interacting with peers online.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention has taken place on two occasions since the last inspection. On both these occasions, the intervention was necessary, appropriate and reasonable. Management oversight of these incidents has taken place, and an evaluation of the incident is contained within recording. However, oversight is lacking critical analysis and does not identify themes, triggers and patterns of behaviour which could assist the staff team when helping children to regulate their emotions. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 3 The manager is dedicated and leads by example. He speaks positively about the children and is a strong advocate for their future success. He liaises regularly with external professionals involved in the children’s care so that plans in place accurately reflect the children’s risks and needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, several staff have left the home. Managers were proactive in the safer recruitment of new staff, who have completed relevant training to help them meet the needs of the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the skills, knowledge and experience of the staff and ensures that regular supervision is taking place. The recording in supervision documents varies in quality and does not always demonstrate how staff are developing their knowledge of policies and practice guidance.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that they are happy working at the home. The manager and deputy manager are supportive and approachable and there is effective, open and honest communication across the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that regular health and safety checks take place. Two minor repairs were required at the time of inspection, and these were completed to a satisfactory standard. However, unwanted items of furniture had been stored in the back garden and had not been disposed of, causing a potential hazard to the safety of children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/10/2023 Full Good 04/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/10/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, maintained and furnished so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards. This includes removing unwanted items from the garden to prevent injury. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 41)  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from internal monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. They should be skilled in reviewing incidents and are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice through effective management oversight, including supervision of staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 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: Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan WN5 7XX

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Inspectors

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Renee Sims, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1270301 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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