Children's home run by Bright Futures Care Limited in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 1 SC456149 Registered provider: Bright Futures Care 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

This children’s home is privately owned. It provides care for up to six children who may have autism, learning disabilities and sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were six children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2024 Full Good 23/11/2021 Full Good 05/12/2018 Full Good 11/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children flourish as a result of the excellent care they receive from a dedicated and skilled staff team. The trusting relationships that have developed between staff and children enable them to feel safe, and this contributes to the exceptional progress in their social, physical, emotional and behavioural development. The parent of one child said, ‘They are reaching milestones I couldn’t imagine.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a warm and welcoming family home that is decorated and finished to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to them and each child’s bedroom has en-suite facilities, which ensures that their privacy is maintained and respected. The children, registered manager and staff take pride in this home. When changes are needed to adapt the environment for children, the registered manager ensures that this happens swiftly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Two children have moved into this home since the last inspection. Before moving into the home, the registered manager visits children and speaks to all those involved in order to build a detailed knowledge of their needs. The registered manager provides lots of information to help children and their families to understand more about the home, and the staff who care for them. These well-planned introductions help children to quickly feel secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a range of activities, specific to their individual needs and preferences both inside and outside the home. Children who have previously struggled to enjoy activities with other children are now able to do so. This gives children the opportunity to develop social relationships, which increases their confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s emotional health and physical health are well understood. The registered manager and staff have positive working relationships with specialist health professionals. Any changes to children’s prescribed medication are done in a safe and planned way and staff spoke confidently about arrangements for the safe administration of medication. Staff encourage a healthy lifestyle for children through a healthy diet and exercise. As a result, children’s overall health has improved while living in this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children are engaged in education. Some children who did not attend school before moving to this home, or had reduced attendance, now attend school full time. The registered manager and staff work with educational professionals to overcome any barriers that children may face with attending education, so that they reach their full potential. One professional commented, ‘[Name of child] arrives at school ready and happy to start their day. They are making progress in the home, and this is evident within school.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have made significant progress in their individual methods of communication. Staff use symbols and pictures and have supported one child to make progress in using Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 4 an electronic device. Children are learning how to communicate their feelings and emotions to staff. One parent said, ‘[Name of child’s] signing has come on leaps and bounds – I can’t keep up!’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Parents value the consistent and meaningful communication from staff. They have frequent phone calls and have access to an online recording system that is regularly updated with pictures and videos of their child. This helps parents to understand their child’s day-to-day experiences living in this home. Staff work flexibly and creatively to promote positive time for children and their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Extremely positive relationships between staff and children were evident during the inspection. Children are given opportunities to have fun, explore new interests and make small steps towards being more independent. Staff are ambitious for children and set achievable goals for them to work towards. There is clear evidence that this work is successful and is resulting in children learning new skills in all areas, from personal care to independent skills. One member of staff described working in the home and seeing the progress children make as ‘truly magical’.

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

Children benefit from effective care, help and protection and high levels of staff supervision. The safety and well-being of children are consistently at the centre of staff practice.

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

Individual risk management plans are regularly updated and shared to ensure that staff are fully familiar with the risks to children and the strategies in place to keep them safe. The registered manager and staff are pro-active in planning how to manage both known and emerging concerns.

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

Staff know the children exceptionally well. Therefore, they can identify likely changes in behaviour. Skilled staff use this expertise and knowledge of children to provide child- centred responses to children’s distress. As a result, staff are largely able to diffuse children’s anxieties.

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

When staff have had to guide or hold a child to keep them safe, this is done for as short a time as possible. Incidents are heavily scrutinised by the manager, who is passionate about understanding the reasons for these behaviours and reducing the need for physical intervention. When children have been held, they are then supported to share how they felt about this.

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

The registered manager responds swiftly and effectively to safeguarding incidents. She shares information with families and key professionals to address safeguarding concerns. Information about serious incidents is shared with Ofsted as required by regulation. This practice helps to reduce risks and increase children’s safety and well-being.

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

Safe recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that staff are properly vetted before being employed. This means that unsuitable individuals do not work in the home. Some Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 5 staff who have recently been recruited have previously worked in this home, meaning they are known to the children living here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. She has high aspirations for the children in her care and is a strong advocate for children. The manager is confident in appropriately challenging professionals to ensure that children receive the right support when they need it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by two capable deputy managers and a large staff team, whose members share the same aspirations. This is a key strength of this home. Staff are knowledgeable, skilled and determined to make a positive difference to children’s lives. Staff are actively involved in bringing new ideas and ways of working to the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. This enables them to reflect on their own practice and on the children’s progress and ongoing needs. Staff say that there is a supportive culture in this home. One staff member said, ‘[The registered manager] has given me so much confidence and guidance to develop. I have never had a manager who is so involved, proactive and caring.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to a range of training to ensure that they have the skills needed to effectively care for children. This includes access to additional support from external agencies when needed. A recent focus has been on the language used within children’s records, and how this reflects children’s experiences and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager prioritises development opportunities for staff. Staff are allocated specific tasks to support their own development, and as a result, staff are motivated to progress within their roles. Annual performance appraisals reflect the commitment to the future development of staff and include feedback from children and professionals about their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager goes above and beyond to improve experiences and outcomes for children. She has an exemplary understanding of the service. Records are clearly organised and management oversight is strong. The registered manager continuously reviews how the home is operating, and the internal and external monitoring of the home is used to drive forward improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External professionals spoke highly of the registered manager and were extremely complimentary about the service. They reported very good levels of communication and have experienced positive joint working with the home. This has resulted in very positive outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recommendations raised at the last inspection have all been met. No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 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: SC456149 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bright Futures Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Asher House, Barsbank Lane, Lymm WA13 0ED

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Inspectors

Genevieve O’Reilly, Social Care Inspector Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC456149 8 regulates 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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