Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Halton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 1 Registered provider: Future Focused 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

The home is owned and managed by a private company. The home provides care and support for two children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous manager left their position in December 2024. An acting manager has been in post since December 2024 and has submitted their application 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 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: 2563164 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/06/2023 Full Good 29/06/2022 Full Good 13/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they live in a home that feels like a family home. Children remain living at the home for long periods when it is in their plan to do so. Staff focus on what children are doing well, with a focus on high praise. This provides love and stability for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff place children at the centre of their practice and are nurturing in their approach. Children trust the manager and staff and feel listened to. Children are making progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have fun. The atmosphere is relaxed, with children observed dancing and singing with managers and staff. Activities and new experiences are encouraged, including horse riding, skydiving and ice skating. Children are developing in confidence from their starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school. One child is exceeding expectations. A teacher said, ‘[Name of child] is one of our success stories.’ Managers and staff are ambitious for children, and they work with staff at school to put alternative plans in place to support children who are struggling to attend. Additional tuition is in place to support gaps in learning so children are prepared when transitioning to college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are treated with dignity and respect. They have been supported to develop a positive self-view due to the care provided. One child said about staff, ‘I drew them all a piece of art based on their interests and wrote them all a card individually. I wanted to do this to express how much of a difference they have made to my life. I would not be who I am without the constant support and encouragement.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop their independent living skills and interests. One child completed their driving theory test. Another child has recently completed a beauty course in nails. Children have also completed accredited courses, such as basic motor vehicle maintenance, budgeting and cooking. This provides children with valuable skills moving into adulthood.

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

Children, when they have been missing from home, understand that staff will search for them and will attend known locations and addresses. Return home interviews provide children with opportunities to discuss reasons why they have been missing. Children rarely go missing from home.

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

Children are held when there is a risk to themselves or others. Incidents are rare. When this has happened, it has been proportionate and necessary. Children understand the reason for this, and staff respond with a nurturing approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 4 Children, where there are concerns they may be at risk of exploitation, are supported to understand how this may affect them. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities, and immediate action is taken to ensure that children are safe. Children are provided with opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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

Children are provided with support when they struggle to manage their feelings safely. Staff offer innovative and creative opportunities for children to express themselves, such as meditation and yoga. Specialist support is in place when this is needed. Incidents of self-harm for one child have reduced significantly.

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

Room searches are completed when there is a concern for a child’s safety. However, on one occasion, there was a missed opportunity to complete a room search of a child’s bedroom when they had disclosed having access to substances while out in the community.

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

Children are supported and protected when allegations have been made. Managers and staff respond quickly. Effective action is taken and is child focused. Information is shared without delay with local authority designated officers and placing authority social workers. Children understand what is happening and what actions are taken so they feel safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations of the staff team and promotes a learning culture. The manager leads by example and oversees practice using weekly and monthly audits. Children’s progress is regularly reviewed to consider any additional support they may need. These systems ensure that the manager understands the home’s strengths and weaknesses and has plans in place to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is experienced, qualified and supported well by the manager. Regular team meetings, supervision and appraisals provide opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and identify any learning so that continuous improvements are made to the quality of their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete mandatory and training specific to the children’s needs, such as bereavement and loss. Additionally, staff have opportunities to discuss incidents with an internal therapist. This means that they can revise and review their approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff are ambitious about children’s plans. Effective action is taken to review children’s plans with the placing authority, including additional support such as advocacy services when children are unsettled. This ensures that decisions are made in the child’s best interest.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff have excellent relationships with family members and professionals, such as social workers. The manager completes and shares weekly Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 5 reports for each child. This means that they can understand children’s experiences and incidents that may affect them. Children receive high-quality, consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 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: 2563164 7

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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 Ltd, Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2563164 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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