Children's Home run by Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited in Wigan

Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 1 Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) 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

This home is run by a private company. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2025 Full Good 06/08/2024 Full Good 13/12/2023 Full Good 05/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 3

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Summary of findings

The children in this home make good progress in their personal care and independence. Children benefit from trusting relationships with staff, which enable them to stay safe. The manager is aspirational for children and staff, leading to improved outcomes for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved out of the home. One child has lived in the home for 18 months. During this time, they have made great progress. Staff have supported children through difficult times with patience, understanding and consistency. This has given children a sense of belonging and increased emotional security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child was supported to move to live more independently in a well-planned and coordinated way. Staff advocated that the child remained living locally so they could attend college and maintain important relationships in line with their wishes and feelings. The child speaks positively about staff and said that they 'fought my corner' and continue to stay in touch.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

While the child is not currently attending formal education, staff continue to promote learning while building confidence and trusting relationships. As a result, the child has improved in their willingness to discuss education and now engages with an external education agency twice a week. Staff continue to work closely with partner agencies to secure appropriate education or employment in line with the child's wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children's health needs. The child living in the home has been given consistent encouragement and support around attending health appointments. One child who has moved out received support from the home's therapist beforehand. This included life-story work to support the child's emotional wellbeing and help them to develop a greater understanding of their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy activities, such as the driving range, and have been to an overseas theme park resort for a holiday with staff of their choice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop independence skills, such as food shopping, budgeting and cooking. Staff advocated for one child to continue preparations for independence at a pace that reflected their needs. Following one child's unplanned ending, staff worked with the placing authority to ensure that arrangements for their next move took account of their individual needs and circumstances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a comfortable and safe environment, with photographs of the children and positive affirmations displayed throughout. Children have personalised their bedrooms with items that are meaningful to them. Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 4

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

Staff have a good understanding of children's needs and vulnerabilities. Staff form nurturing and supportive relationships with children.

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

Staff respond robustly to risks, including concerns of exploitation. Staff work appropriately with partner agencies to safeguard children effectively. Missing-from-home episodes are managed very well. Staff follow children and attempt to contact them regularly, so they know that staff care. Staff work with families, friends and other agencies to try to locate children. There has been a significant reduction in missing-from- home episodes for one child after a difficult period.

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

Staff benefit from therapeutic consultation and training that helps them to understand children's experiences and therefore respond with empathy. This has helped children to develop trusting relationships and experience greater stability.

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

Children's risks and vulnerabilities are reviewed regularly. Guidance for staff in risk assessments is proportionate, clear and individual to each child.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed at the home.

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

Allegations against staff are rare and referred appropriately to the local designated officer. However, on one occasion, investigations were concluded around staff practice without receiving external guidance. This had the potential to hinder the effectiveness of multi-agency responses and the reliability of the outcome.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly committed, caring and child centred. She is fully involved in the child's life and is a strong advocate for them. The manager has high expectations of staff to improve children's lives. The manager is also responsible for another home in the organisation. Leaders have reviewed arrangements so that each team is supported by a deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported and receive regular supervision sessions, which provide the opportunity to reflect on their work with the children. Relevant research is shared and discussed during team meetings to support staff's knowledge and understanding. Most staff hold the required qualification, and those who do not are working towards achieving this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager completes summaries that draw on research to help evaluate children's progress. In addition, staff write thoughtful letters or booklets to children, using warm and encouraging language. These notes recognise children's strengths and reflect the trusting relationships that children have with staff, while providing ways for children to share their views, wishes and feelings. Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 5 There is comprehensive oversight by the manager of all significant events and incidents. Regular monitoring supports the manager's understanding of areas for improvement and promotes accountability. Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when children make allegations about staff, these are addressed in accordance with safeguarding procedures. 3 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 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: 2669033 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Proactive Care (Manchester) Limited

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Children's home details

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

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Ashley O'Leary-Jones

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Inspectors

Sadie Green, Social Care Inspector Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2669033 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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