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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in 2020 and is operated by a private company. It offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022. He also manages another setting.

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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

02/07/2024 Full Good 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

Planning for the child to move into the home was thorough. Leaders and managers met with the child’s social worker to ensure that they understood the child’s needs and vulnerabilities. The child met with staff and visited the home before moving in. This supported them to settle in quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved on from the home. One child experienced a move to supported accommodation, in line with the placing authority’s care plan. Another child lived in the home for over a year, and staff supported them through some significant life events. The child’s move from the home was unplanned. However, the child’s welfare and well-being were central to this decision-making. The social worker said, ‘[Name of child] made lots of progress because of the support they had from staff. They had a lot of patience. I don’t think they could have managed things any better.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff spend time with children, and they enjoy activities together. This includes pamper nights, trips to the cinema, and golf. One social worker said, ‘The fact that [name of child] hasn’t lived here long and is already going out with staff speaks volumes.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individuality is celebrated by staff. Staff support children in exploring their identity, which helps them to develop a positive view of themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to attend education. When one educational provision was unable to meet a child’s needs, leaders and managers advocated for the child. They worked with the placing authority and escalated concerns appropriately. This resulted in the child receiving more educational opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are understood by staff. Children are registered with local health services and are encouraged to attend routine health appointments. Specialist support is provided by the in-house therapist when this is required. Arrangements for managing medication are safe and effective.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Allegations against staff have been investigated thoroughly. Safeguarding professionals are consulted, and statutory processes are followed. Records are detailed, and outcomes are shared with children.

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

Staff manage incidents in the home well. Individual, up-to-date risk assessments and support plans set out how children need to be helped when they experience distress. Staff follow these plans to de-escalate any concerns. Physical intervention is rarely used. When one child needed to be held to keep them safe, managers talked to them to help Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 4 them understand why. Managers reflect on incidents with staff, which helps to develop staff practice.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. Staff look for children when they are missing. Family members and professionals are informed. Staff talk to children about why they went missing from home. However, on one occasion, records of conversations with the child and information gathered from the return home interview were not kept.

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

Staff understand children’s family dynamics, and children’s views about who they wish to spend time with are respected. Children spend time with friends in the community. Staff check in with children during this time to ensure that they are safe.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour in the home. Incentive charts are used so that children know what is expected of them. Children are rewarded when they have done well. Staff talk to children about consequences to their actions. This increases children’s sense of personal responsibility. When consequences are put in place, they are appropriate.

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

Children know how to raise complaints. When one child made a complaint, it was treated seriously and investigated by senior leaders. The complaint was resolved, and the child received a written response. Work was carried out with the child and staff to repair and maintain positive relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a qualified and experienced manager. He provides effective leadership to staff, who say they feel supported by him and the wider management team. Managers are present in the home and have a good understanding of children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, there have been some changes to the staff team. This has not affected the quality of care provided to children. Staff receive regular, reflective supervision that focuses on their practice and well-being. The emotional effect of the work staff do is recognised by leaders and managers. One member of staff said, ‘I have my monthly supervisions with the manager, and each month he supports incredibly with any worries or concerns I have, both on a personal and professional level.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend training to help them meet children’s individual needs. This includes training to understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and exploitation, as well as substance misuse. When there were challenges in meeting one child’s needs, leaders provided bespoke training to staff. Staff say they benefited from this support, and the child responded well to the change in approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly. They are well attended, and records are detailed. Important information about children is shared, and staff are provided with direction when this is needed. Staff say that they are encouraged to share ideas about how to work with children and that they are listened to. Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 5 Leaders and managers have well-organised systems in place to ensure that they have robust oversight of how the home operates. Monthly audits support leaders and managers in identifying any outstanding actions. Managers evaluate staff practice and monitor the progress that children are making. Inspection report for children’s home: 2600759 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns home after being missing, the responsible local authority carries out an independent return home interview. A record of the interview and any conversations with the child should be kept so that risks can be assessed and plans put in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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 Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 146 Bolton Road, Atherton, Manchester M46 9LF

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Inspector

Anna Belshaw, 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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