Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 1 Registered provider: Future Focused Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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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: 1241634 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/04/2024 Full Good 20/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/04/2022 Full Good 20/04/21 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from the longevity of their placement, which supports stability and a strong sense of security. They have developed positive relationships with all members of staff, fostering trust and emotional wellbeing. Staff know the children well, enabling them to deliver consistent, responsive care and support tailored to their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported and fully included in their transition to the home. They have opportunities to visit before admission and receive clear, accessible information about the home and the care they will receive, easing transitions and fostering a sense of belonging from the outset.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is well promoted and supported. Staff have developed strong and effective links with staff at schools and colleges, ensuring a positive, wraparound approach that enables children to engage in learning, recognise its value, and achieve positive educational outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individual physical and emotional health needs are well supported, helping them develop resilience and maintain healthy lifestyles.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are treated with dignity and respect. Those spoken with during the inspection reported that staff genuinely care about them and said that the home has a warm, family-orientated environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children build practical independent living skills in preparation for leaving care or progressing to the next stage of their development. For example, children have completed accredited courses, such as budgeting and cooking, equipping them with valuable skills to support a successful transition into adulthood. In addition, children are encouraged to choose and participate in a range of activities that they can pursue both now and in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and maintained to provide a warm, welcoming and comfortable environment. Children are encouraged to express their opinions and wishes, and their ideas are reflected throughout the home’s appearance and atmosphere.

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

The safety and welfare of all children living at the home are central to staff practice. Staff work in partnership with other agencies and professionals to promote and safeguard children’s wellbeing. As a result, children report feeling safe, secure and happy at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 4 There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home in the past 12 months. When such incidents have occurred, staff have followed agreed protocols and procedures to ensure that children return safely. Children are also provided with the opportunity to speak with an independent person to explore any reasons for going missing and to help prevent future occurrences.

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

Staff acknowledge that children’s behaviours may occasionally escalate. They respond by following agreed de-escalation and behaviour support plans. Incidents where a child needs to be physically held for their safety are rare; however, when it is necessary, interventions are proportionate, appropriately recorded, and carried out by trained staff who maintain up-to-date training.

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

Children benefit from consistent encouragement, with staff regularly offering praise and rewards for positive behaviour. As a result, positive reinforcement significantly outweighs the use of consequences. Children report feeling encouraged and supported to understand and manage their emotions.

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

Staff clearly understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children and take immediate action to ensure their safety. They engage children in discussions about staying safe, providing them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to better understand how to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, qualified and committed to achieving positive outcomes for children. The staff highly value her strong and effective leadership. Staff say they receive excellent support that enables them to confidently carry out their roles to a consistently high standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supported by a deputy manager and a team of staff who share a strong and positive ethos. Staff firmly believe that children can achieve their goals with the right support, regardless of their previous life experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff demonstrate ambition for all children’s plans. They take effective action to review these plans in partnership with placing authorities and ensure that additional support, such as advocacy services, is made available where needed. This helps ensure that decisions are made with each child’s best interests in mind.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff have excellent relationships with family members and professionals. One parent described the progress and support both she and her child have received as ‘fantastic’ and said that she feels fully involved in her child’s care. One professional said, ‘It is evident the progress [name of child] has made is due to him feeling happy, secure and supported. He tells me how settled he feels at the home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings, supervision sessions and appraisals provide valuable opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and identify learning, ensuring continuous improvement in the quality of care provided. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 5 The manager has effective internal monitoring systems in place and makes use of external independent monitoring to continually evaluate the home’s effectiveness in supporting positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 6

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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: 1241634 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future Focused Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1241634 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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