Children's Home run by Golden Future Care Limited in Bolton

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 1 Assurance inspection

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is run and operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. Both children spoke with the inspectors.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post is currently vacant. However, a new manager has been recruited and has applied for registration.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.1

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: 2823275 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and two children have moved in. The child who left was moved out of area by the placing authority due to concerns for their safety in the community. A child said, ‘The staff are very nice people and their very understanding.’ A social worker said, ‘He tells me he is happy there.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Both children have settled in well and there is evidence of the children’s progress. Staff provide children with highly personalised and well-planned care that promotes their needs effectively. However, both children’s care plans from the placing authorities are not up to date.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Both children had a home tutor but have progressed from being home schooled to attending alternative school provisions. A social worker said, ‘It’s amazing [the child’s] attending.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff and staff closely monitor the children’s relationships with each other. Staff promote positive and harmonious relationships between the children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are developing a good understanding of the children’s specific needs and vulnerabilities. Staff follow risk management plans to keep children safe from harm. Staff support children to regulate their emotions safely and take appropriate action to support and protect them.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been some staff changes since the last inspection and new staff have been recruited. There is a vacant deputy manager post that has been advertised. The statement of purpose has been reviewed to reflect the staff changes. However, the statement of purpose does not include the details of staff’s qualifications and relevant experience in caring for children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Significant incidents are not always reported to the appropriate authorities, and Ofsted are not informed about notifications in a timely manner. This was a requirement at the last inspection and is therefore restated. For example, it was unclear how a child’s allegation about a staff member was managed and there was no evidence that the local authority designated officer was consulted to ensure the right action was taken.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from practice-related supervision sessions. However, there are gaps in the frequency of the supervision sessions provided.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff look for children if they go missing from home and work in partnership with the police to promote their safe return. However, there was an isolated incident that Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 3 involved a child going missing from home in the early hours of the morning without staff noticing. A lessons learned exercise was conducted to prevent similar incidents occurring. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the home’s statement of purpose reflecting staff’s qualifications, skills and relevant experience in caring for children. 15 December 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to,

p.5

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

p.5

Requirement Due date

is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 15 December 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 6 The registered person must ensure that significant incidents are notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. This requirement is restated.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that supervision sessions take place in line with the organisation’s supervision policy and focus on the needs and progress of children. Discussions that have taken place must be evidenced in supervision records. 15 December 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff maintain clear records of the actions taken, including consultations with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), in response to all allegations and outcomes. 15 December 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 7

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that up-to-date care plans are in place from the placing authorities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 10, paragraph 2.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 8

p.7

Inspectors

Anthony Kyem, Social Care Inspector Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2823275 9 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.

p.8

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspectors

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspectors

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

p.9