Children's Home run by Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited in Wigan

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 1 Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home and they both spent time talking to the inspector.

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 inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2795393 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

The children living in the home are the same as the previous inspection. Both children have settled in well and have established positive relationships with staff.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff support children’s health and wellbeing. Referrals are made to specialist services when required. Staff ensure they seek medical advice after any incident when there are suspected concerns related to substance misuse. In addition, children have been educated on the dangers of vaping.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff place a strong emphasis on education. Both children benefit from full-time education and are making progress. Staff transport the children a considerable distance to ensure regular attendance and engagement.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children can express their views and wishes and understand how to raise complaints formally. However, the response to one child’s complaint was not addressed in a timely manner.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff respond appropriately when children go missing from home. There has only been one missing-from-home episode since the last inspection. Staff are proactive in trying to locate children and report them missing in a timely way to the relevant agencies, including the police. This supports a quick and safe return.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Risk management and behaviour plans are reviewed regularly to identify progress or emerging patterns. This supports staff to develop a deeper understanding of the children’s needs and guides their practice.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff effectively manage risks relating to child sexual exploitation. There are robust monitoring systems in place, including oversight of online activity. Staff engage children in regular age-appropriate discussions and use a range of resources, including videos to help them understand risks and develop safer online behaviours. However, on occasion the language within records is not trauma informed and can unintentionally feel shaming.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff undertake a training programme, and the manager ensures that staff are equipped to meet children’s emerging needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There is now a stable and consistent staff team in place. However, the rota does not reflect when the manager or deputy manager are in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Team meetings take place regularly and are an opportunity for staff to share their experiences and knowledge. The organisation’s therapist regularly attends meetings, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 3 providing opportunities to reflect on incidents and explore any challenges. This supports a culture of learning. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/01/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all complaints made by children are responded to promptly and without unnecessary delay, to ensure that children feel listened to. 4 February 2026

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that records detailed in regulation 35-39 are kept in children’s homes. In particular, the registered manager should ensure that their presence at the home and their working hours are clearly recorded on the staffing rota. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite D, 6th Floor, 1 Wellington road, Stockport SK4 1AF

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Ashley O’Leary-Jones

p.6

Inspector

Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795393 7 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.6

Inspector

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.7

Inspector

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7