Children's home run by Next Stage 4Life Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 1 Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to 2children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager. A new manager has been appointed and the process to apply to register with Ofsted has started.

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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: 2534179 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/03/2025 Full Good 13/02/2024 Full Good 22/11/2022 Full Good 25/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home and one child had recently moved out. The child who had moved out was being supported with their transition to semi-independent living. This was done in a positive way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress during their time in the home because staff understand their needs. The child that has left, has been supported to develop their confidence and independence through individualised care planning. The child said, ‘The best 2 things I have learned are budgeting and timekeeping.’ One professional agreed that, ‘[name of child] has made excellent progress, which is largely due to the commitment of the staff team and the positive impact they have had.’ As a result, when a child moves from the home, they feel prepared.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff talk about children with genuine warmth and care and they are attentive to their individual needs. The child living in the home has been sensitively supported through a bereavement. This has included age-appropriate stories and thoughtful discussions around loss. This means that the child receives emotional support that helps them to understand and manage their feelings during difficult experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans are detailed and staff ensure that the children’s individual needs are met. Staff take a multi-agency approach when working with the inhouse therapist and the social worker to agree plans around time with family. This ensures a planned and measured approach is taken, with the child at the centre of decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Time with family is prioritised and child focused, this has included family members welcomed into the home on Christmas Day. In addition, the child living in the home attends community activities, such as cubs, and has recently experienced their first sleepover, which was well planned and fully supported by staff. As a result, the child can build and sustain important relationships, both within their family and the wider community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, clean and welcoming. There are photos and child’s artwork displayed throughout the home. The child’s room is personalised to reflect their hobbies, interests and age. In addition, staff have recorded themselves reading stories, which means the child has something personal they can listen to and keep as a reminder of their time in the home. This means the child has a strong sense of belonging.

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

Staff understand the risks and vulnerabilities of children, and these are clearly documented in detailed risk assessments. These assessments are regularly updated and Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 4 accessible to all staff, ensuring that appropriate steps and strategies are in place to keep children safe. This also informs one-to-one consultations with children and helps reinforce key messages about how to stay safe.

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

Serious incidents are rare. However, when they do occur, the safety and wellbeing of the child is prioritised. Leaders and managers have worked closely with appropriate safeguarding partners during investigations to maintain the child’s safety. One social worker said. ‘[name of child] felt able to disclose what happened because of the positive relationships they have with staff.’ Leaders and managers have shown professional curiosity and due diligence in their oversight, ensuring that concerns are explored thoroughly and responded to.

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

Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. Following an allegation, leaders and managers carried out a thorough investigation, appropriately referring to the local authority designated officer. Records are detailed and clearly outline the outcome, how this was reached and actions.

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

There have been 2 occasions since the last inspection where a child was missing from the home. Staff took appropriate action to search for the child and liaised effectively with other agencies to ensure they returned home safely.

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

Staff use a range of de-escalation and support techniques to prevent the need for physical intervention. However, when physical interventions is used, records reflect that this is the last resort and is proportionate and necessary to keep the child and others safe. Records are detailed with a focus on learning. This ensures that the child’s relationship with staff is effectively maintained.

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

Recruitment procedures are safe and effective. All staff are fully vetted before they start work. These checks ensure that only suitable adults are employed to work with the children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes to the management arrangements within the home. The new manager, who previously worked as the deputy, already knows the children and staff well. These changes are in the process of being embedded within the home. The child continues to be supported by a consistent and experienced staff team, who are happy in their roles. One member of staff said, ‘I personally enjoy coming in on each and every shift.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager encourages a transparent environment, where staff feel comfortable raising any concerns. Staff receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal. Children’s views are included in the appraisal process, ensuring that their voices inform staff progress and development. Team meetings are well attended, child focused and provide a clear emphasis on ongoing development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 5 Positive behaviour is promoted. Staff use natural and proportionate consequences that are clearly linked to the event. One-to-one consultations with children take place regularly, and rewards and praise form part of everyday practice. This approach helps the child to make positive choices and builds their confidence in their own decision-making. However, shortfalls in management oversight have been identified. Leaders have not reviewed the effectiveness of rewards, consequences or one-to-one

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

consultations. This is a missed opportunity to strengthen monitoring and improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular training delivered both online and face to face. The manager has sourced training that is current and bespoke to children’s needs; one member of staff described it as a ‘very engaging and useful course’. This means staff are supported to develop the knowledge and skills required to meet the children’s needs effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers promote a culture of positive relationships, which helps children develop a strong sense of belonging. This culture is consistently demonstrated through the practice of experienced and stable staff. One family member said the child’s confidence ‘has grown so much, and this is due to staff’. This has been echoed further by one professional who said, ‘[Name of child] is part of a family there.’ As a result, children have positive experiences during their time in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 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, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ The registered person 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 promotes their welfare.

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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) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure they have effective oversight of all care provided to children, including the use of consequences, one-to-one consultation and reward systems. They should evaluate practice regularly to identify any shortfalls in staff performance and take prompt action to address them. 20 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 7

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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: 2534179 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Next Stage 4Life Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Julia Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2534179 9 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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