Children's home run by Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 1 Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this children’s home. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2019.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Good 04/03/2024 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys warm, trusting relationships with staff, who create a calm and nurturing environment. This helps the child settle quickly and feel a strong sense of belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child and their family report feeling well supported and valued. This is reflected in the improvements in the child’s emotional stability and behaviour.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making progress in their emotional, social and behavioural development and is becoming more settled. Staff support independence through focused work that builds practical life skills and prepares the child for semi-independent living.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child’s interests and talents, supporting participation in sports, creative activities and therapeutic sessions. The child’s achievements are celebrated, and key work helps strengthen the child’s confidence, identity and aspirations.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support and encourage the child to engage in education. Staff work consistently with schools and alternative providers to secure suitable options for the child. Their ongoing support helps the child re-engage with learning over time.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are monitored closely. Staff encourage and support the child to attend routine appointments, follow healthy routines and access emotional or therapeutic support. Staff offer gentle encouragement and alternative ways to communicate to the child to ensure that their health needs are met.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Moves in and out of the home are handled sensitively. Children moving in receive clear introductions, while those moving on are supported to understand next steps and develop necessary skills. As a result, children experience greater stability, improved wellbeing and better long-term prospects.

p.3

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

Staff understand the child’s risks and work therapeutically to help them feel safe. Staff build trusting relationships and consistent routines, they reduce distress, and they prevent escalation, resulting in the child engaging in fewer risk-taking incidents. Staff support the child to reflect on unsafe behaviour through planned direct work, helping them understand consequences and learn how to stay safe.

p.3

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

Staff apply clear boundaries and apply these consistently, allowing staff to respond quickly to any concerns raised by the child.

p.3

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

The manager and staff follow required procedures when allegations are made. Staff support the child through the process. Staff receive guidance to ensure that they feel listened to. This provides opportunities for staff learning and reflection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 4 Staff use effective de-escalation that aligns with the child’s behaviour support plan, meaning physical intervention has not been necessary. Staff are trained in the use of physical intervention and only use it as a last resort.

p.3

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

When the child goes missing, staff act swiftly, follow procedures and maintain communication with the child. Involved professionals are notified quickly and debriefs help the child understand risks and make positive changes.

p.4

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

Health and safety in the home is monitored effectively. Room searches are carried out proportionately, and the child benefits from sensitive support that helps them to help maintain safer routines.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has created a caring, child-focused culture in which the child’s needs guide everyday practice. The manager provides clear structure, stability and strong oversight, which has strengthened the quality of care. Staff speak positively about the manager’s supportive leadership and report that the manager has made a significant impact on rebuilding morale.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a strong understanding of the child’s needs and progress. Their oversight ensures plans are timely and closely aligned with what the child requires. When external agencies are slow to respond, the manager and staff advocate appropriately on the child’s behalf.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision that addresses wellbeing, training and children’s progress. However, the written records lack clear, measurable actions, making it harder to monitor development over time. Monthly team meetings with therapeutic input strengthen reflective practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is current, and additional therapeutic learning helps deepen their understanding of trauma and behaviour. This equips staff to respond confidently to the child’s emotional needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safe staff recruitment processes are not always followed and there are some inconsistencies in recruitment practices. Managers do not always comprehensively verify written references. This means staff are not always recruited safely.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and continues to refine systems to ensure children receive high-quality care that aligns with the statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 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

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements

p.5

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

p.5

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.5

Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that staff are recruited safely and references are fully explored. 30 Sep 2026

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care, along with measurable actions. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 6

p.5

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: 2542024 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Ashley O’Leary-Jones

p.7

Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2542024 8 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.7

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 . 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8