Children's home run by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 1 SC040982 Registered provider: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home registered with Ofsted in May 2003 and provides short breaks for children with complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 15 October 2024

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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: SC040982 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/10/2024 Full Good 12/12/2023 Full Outstanding 01/03/2023 Full Outstanding 10/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff support children well and hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet the children’s needs well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are aware of children’s individual communication methods. This empowers children to participate in choosing activities and meals and to express their emotions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where children feel heard and can express their wishes and feelings. The home is well presented and includes specialist equipment to meet children’s individual needs. The children are involved in choosing the decoration for their bedrooms. There are many photos of the children displayed, giving them a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are introduced to the short-breaks service at a pace that is right for them and their families. Staff spend time getting to know the children when they visit the home. One social worker said:

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘The transition plans to support [name of child] were thorough, with teatime visits where staff had listened to likes and dislikes and bought games which they knew they would like. It was clear to see there was a lot of thought that went into this, and this has helped [name of child] from the very beginning to trust the staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff maintain good communication with children’s families. Children’s achievements are celebrated by staff and families. Families are complimentary about the high levels of care their children receive and the support provided to them by staff. One family member said, ‘We know [name of child] is happy and safe.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities to enjoy their individual interests, such as swimming, watching their favourite television programme, going on walks, planting in the garden, playing the musical instruments, having their hair and nails done and doing arts and crafts. One family member said, ‘We get lots of photos on the [name of app], which is lovely.’

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

Children who stay at the home have various health needs. These are understood and managed well by the manager and staff. Staff receive specialist training to support the children’s complex health needs. Medication is stored securely, and the processes are robust. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 4 Managers and staff consistently review and update the individual risk assessments for each child. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. There have been no missing-from-home incidents. Staff have a good understanding of the missing-from- home procedures.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff work closely with professionals to ensure that the children receive appropriate support. One social worker said, ‘Staff are strong advocates for the children and will challenge things with other professionals appropriately to support the children.’

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The use of natural consequences supports the children to restore and rebuild relationships in the home and have a sense of ownership.

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

Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort to keep children safe. When this has happened, children and staff have not always had the opportunity to talk about the incidents. This does not ensure that staff and children can reflect on the incident and that the manager can identify any improvements to staff practice or good practice to share with the staff.

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

Safer recruitment processes are followed, which means that staff are recruited safely. Recruitment checks ensure that only suitable staff are employed to work with children at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring, and ambitious manager who advocates well for the children. She ensures that she is present in the home and accessible to children and staff. Two dedicated deputy managers work together to support the manager, staff, and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular reflective supervision, which gives them the opportunity to reflect on their practice and consider development opportunities. Staff team meetings are effective and held regularly. One staff member said, ‘The teamwork is excellent. We all share a common goal to prioritise the children’s well-being.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication with other professionals. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. One team manager said, ‘The communication is far strengthened.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers’ internal monitoring systems have not been effective in identifying and responding to the shortfalls in staff practice. For example, managers have failed to take appropriate action following an incident of physical intervention. This affects the oversight and care provided to children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 5 The manager has assessed the suitability of the home to ensure that children remain in a safe area. However, the review of the premises assessment could be further enhanced by seeking consultation from relevant individuals. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 6

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires, and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that monitoring and review systems are in place that ensure quality of care provided. This specifically relates to management oversight of significant incidents. 16 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time, and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 16 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 7 the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that reflection is carried out with staff members and children following the use of physical intervention.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all relevant individuals are consulted when considering the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises. 16 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 8

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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: SC040982 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1YN

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Inspectors

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Karen Andrews, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040982 10 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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