Children's home run by Future In Mind Limited in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 1 SC394875 Registered provider: Future In Mind Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in April 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home, who were present and spoken to.

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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: SC394875 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/03/2025 Full Good 19/12/2023 Full Good 21/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/03/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is treated as a priority. Staff work closely with external professionals to ensure that education plans are well coordinated and responsive to each child’s needs. As a result, children are making strong and sustained progress. One child who previously attended school for only one hour per day is now engaging in full-time education in a mainstream setting. This has been achieved through the consistent advocacy of the managers, who worked proactively with education partners to secure the right support and provision for the child. This persistence has ensured that the child enjoys stability, routine and improved learning outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from regular therapeutic sessions delivered by a qualified therapist. This supports them to better understand their emotions, develop positive coping strategies and enhance their overall wellbeing. Staff work closely with the therapist to integrate these approaches into children’s everyday care, ensuring children experience consistent and nurturing support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with the people who matter most to them. When appropriate, staff welcome children’s family members into the home and develop positive, collaborative relationships. One parent said, ‘They are amazing, and I am thankful to them for looking after my child in the way that they do.’ Another parent said, ‘They are a really good home. They travel 2 hours one way so we can see each other, and I am happy that [name of child] is doing so well.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager demonstrates a consistently child-centred approach. She has completed accredited training in life-story work and will be doing this work with one of the children. This work is intended to help the child develop a clearer understanding of their history, strengthen their sense of identity and promote greater emotional security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to take part in a wide range of enriching activities in the community, which promote their confidence and independence. One child has progressed well through the local Scout group, demonstrating increased social skills and self-reliance. The same child was also supported to take part in an overseas trip, giving them valuable new experiences and contributing further to their personal development.

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

Staff draw effectively on their therapeutic approach to manage children’s risks and vulnerabilities. This ensures that strategies are tailored to each child’s emotional needs and presenting risks, promoting consistent, well-considered decisions that help keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 4 Children rarely go missing and the number of significant incidents involving children is low. Staff put in place effective safeguarding arrangements and proactively provide support to help children feel safe.

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

Staff use physical restraint only when necessary and proportionate. These low-level interventions remain infrequent. Staff demonstrate strong de-escalation skills, and when the use of restraint is required, managers provide thorough oversight to ensure learning is captured and practice continues to develop.

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

There is a proactive approach to managing children’s risks relating to internet use. Managers and staff are vigilant. This is supported by direct work to develop children’s understanding about keeping themselves safe. Direct work is revisited frequently, and a range of creative resources and approaches are used to maximise children’s learning opportunities.

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

On one occasion, the provider failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event. Managers and leaders did not submit the required notification following a serious safeguarding incident that involved police intervention. As a result, Ofsted did not have up-to-date oversight of this incident, which has the potential to compromise children’s safety.

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

Although staff generally implement children’s behaviour management strategies, occasional inconsistencies in practice have contributed to some significant incidents. These shortfalls reduce opportunities for early de-escalation and can affect children’s overall safety and stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager in post. She is dual registered and manages her time effectively between 2 homes. She is supported by a deputy manager who understands the children’s needs well. Staff and professionals have confidence in the registered manager’s leadership and ability to provide effective support to the children at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by the registered manager. Regular supervision sessions provide ongoing support and include reflective discussions that focus on children’s needs, staff development and overall wellbeing. In addition, the home’s therapist also supports staff development, helping staff to reflect on practice, build resilience and use feedback positively to improve the quality of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff who do not work at the home regularly demonstrate a good understanding of the risks to children and their individual needs. They report feeling welcomed, supported and part of the staff team, and say expectations and safeguarding arrangements are clearly communicated. This supports continuity of care and promotes stable relationships for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 5 Safe recruitment practices are understood and implemented effectively. All necessary checks are in place to ensure that children are protected from unsuitable people being able to work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular communication with the children’s social workers results in a shared approach to managing risks and targeted care planning for the children. One professional said they have ‘nothing but high praise for the staff team, who are always supportive’. In the event of incidents and concerns, information is swiftly shared with relevant professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s behaviour management strategy is understood and applied at all times by staff. It must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)  The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted if one of the situations specified in regulation 40 (4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10) Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 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: SC394875 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future In Mind Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Future In Mind, 65 Market Street, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire WS12 1AD

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Carina McLean-Armstrong

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Inspector

Sharonpreet Kaur, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC394875 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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