Children's home run by Brighter Futures (NW) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2816154 1 Registered provider: Brighter Futures (NW) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager have been registered with Ofsted since May 2025

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Information about this children’s home

This is the homes first inspection since it was registered. Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. All children spoke with the inspector about their experiences of living at the home.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2816154 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from well-planned, personalised care that addresses their needs effectively and contributes to changes and improvements in their lives. Children have made good progress from their starting points in relation to their education and social development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager understands the importance of carefully considering the needs of new children moving into the home alongside children already in residence. However, one child’s impact risk assessment did not include the views of the staff and the other child currently living at the home. This means that the needs of all children are not considered before they move into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with a range of health services to promote their physical and emotional well-being. They attend their routine health appointments with good support and encouragement from staff. The arrangements for the controlled storage and administration of children’s medication are safe and effective.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of education for children’s futures. They actively encourage children to engage in their education and continue to do so even when children are reluctant. One child, who had not been in school for over two years is now attending, albeit on a reduced timetable. This is a big achievement. Another child is engaging with home tuition. As a result, children are provided with every opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain and develop suitable and positive relationships with their families. Staff provide children with emotional and practical support to help them to remain in touch with their families and not become isolated from the people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff undertake regular key work sessions with children, and there are further opportunities for children to express their wishes and feelings during individual children’s meetings. As a result, children contribute to their daily care and the running of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a very welcoming and homely environment that is well maintained, clean and furnished to a high standard. This helps them to develop a sense of their worth. When damage occurs, it is quickly repaired.

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

Children’s written records are of good quality. Risk management plans and positive behaviour support plans provide staff with the information they need to care for children in a way which reduces their vulnerabilities and safeguards them effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2816154 3 When children are not where they are expected to be staff take appropriate action to locate them and ensure that they return home. Children are provided with an opportunity to speak with an independent person following missing from home episodes Information is shared appropriately and is used to manage and prevent episodes of going missing from home in the future.

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

Staff work therapeutically and restoratively with children to de-escalate serious incidents. As a result, significant incidents with children have reduced and they have become safer. Negative consequences used with children are rare. Staff have not used any restraints since the home opened, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.

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

Staff implement effective systems to ensure that children can access the internet safely and appropriately. When required, staff carry out checks of children’s internet enabled devices. The monitoring of children s devices is agreed in advance with their social workers. These systems reassure children and ensure that they can use the internet safely.

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

Children are protected by effective recruitment and selection procedures. These procedures promote the safety of children by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since the home opened. This is her first registered manager role. She is supported by a knowledgeable deputy. The manager has demonstrated skills and knowledge in developing and managing the home to this point. She has good oversight of practice in the home and provides a positive role model for her staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training and development of staff have a high priority to make sure all staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to support children effectively and promote positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are regular and of good quality. These help staff to generate ideas and to reflect on their practice. New staff are supported through an effective induction process. This ensures that children receive good quality care from well informed staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and occur monthly. They cover topics that are relevant to the current issues arising at the home. They are used as a development opportunity for the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and manager have established good working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in children’s care. Staff work closely with teachers, social workers and the police. This ensures that appropriate support is in place to support children’s progress and maximise their potential. Inspection report for children’s home: 2816154 4

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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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to impact risk assessments and includes consultation with others as part of the assessment process. 23 March 2026

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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: 2816154 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighter Futures (NW) Limited

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2816154 6 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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