Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 1 Registered provider: Future Focused Ltd 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 one child who experiences social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. They spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 16 September 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2025 Full Outstanding 19/11/2024 Full Good 24/01/2024 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 3

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Summary of findings

Practice is consistently shaped around the child’s individual needs. Staff know the child exceptionally well and use research-informed therapeutic approaches to support their emotional wellbeing, education and health.

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Summary of findings

Safeguarding practice is robust and proactive, with risk management plans that are responsive to the child’s presenting needs and risks. Leadership is highly visible and provides strong oversight, fostering a reflective culture and driving continuous improvement in the quality of care the child receives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child experiences stability, security and consistently high ‑ quality care that reflects their individual needs and supports their emotional wellbeing. Staff know the child exceptionally well and provide warm, predictable routines that help them to feel safe and understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support the child’s identity and encourage them to embrace who they are without judgement. They maintain strong links with the child’s family and the important people in their life, facilitating a complex pattern of family time, travel and supervision with skill and sensitivity. This ensures that the child remains connected to those who matter to them, strengthening their sense of belonging and emotional security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child’s attendance and progress in education are significant strengths. Staff actively encourage and support the child to engage in learning. Communication between the home and school is highly effective, ensuring that support is consistently tailored to the child’s needs. This has enabled the child to sustain meaningful engagement, make significant progress and sit their GCSEs. One professional described the home’s genuine care as having made a noticeable difference to the child’s progress from their starting point. Staff also support the child’s ambitions for further education, working purposefully to help them achieve these goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child’s health needs are met well. They are registered with universal health services and, when issues arise, staff draw on research and professional curiosity to better understand the child’s needs. The child’s health needs are monitored by professionals, ensuring that any emerging concerns are identified and addressed without delay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff use therapeutic approaches in their daily interactions, helping the child to express themselves, feel understood and thrive in the home. This practice is research informed and supported by the in ‑ house therapist, who works closely with staff to help them tailor their approach to the child’s specific presentation and needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 4

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

Staff’s understanding of safeguarding practice is a considerable strength. They know the child exceptionally well, including their vulnerabilities and the specific risks they face, and they use this knowledge to provide highly personalised care and support. One professional described how the support from staff has been instrumental in helping the child through a traumatic period while ensuring that they continued to attend school. This demonstrates the commitment of staff to promoting both the child’s safety and their ongoing progress.

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

Trauma ‑ informed support plans and risk assessments are detailed, regularly reviewed and tailored to the child’s individual needs and presentation. They provide staff with clear strategies to help the child manage anxiety, reduce risk and make safer choices. Positive behaviour is promoted through consistent routines, clear boundaries and predictable expectations, which helps the child to feel safe and secure.

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

Staff hold regular discussions with the child on important topics, including healthy relationships, consent, community safety and online risks. These conversations help the child to make informed decisions and understand how to keep themselves safe. Staff reinforce this learning through ongoing therapeutic consultation, ensuring that support is consistent, relevant and responsive to the child’s individual needs.

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

Online safety is managed proactively and with curiosity. Staff carry out weekly checks of the child’s devices and provide proportionate guidance, which the child responds to well. When an online incident occurred, the child accepted staff support and managed the situation safely. Further concerns on social media platforms were addressed rapidly and effectively, with staff responses aligned to the child’s age, needs and level of independence. This demonstrates that the child is supported to use technology safely and responsibly.

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

Allegations are responded to swiftly and effectively by the manager and the responsible individual. Following an allegation made by a parent, appropriate procedures were followed, and the child’s views were fully considered throughout the process. Learning from the incident has been reflected on and embedded into staff training, strengthening future practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leadership and management arrangements are a clear strength. The manager is child centred, highly visible in the home and knows the child exceptionally well. They advocate strongly and unreservedly for the child and ensure that practice remains focused on safety, progress and emotional wellbeing. This strong leadership promotes high standards of care and a consistent approach that supports positive outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak positively about the support, supervision and training available to them. The team is stable, experienced and highly skilled, enabling children to benefit from Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 5 consistent care. Effective oversight from the manager ensures that staff strengths are recognised and used effectively, promoting high-quality practice and positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision takes place regularly and provides protected time to discuss the child’s progress, reflect on practice and identify learning needs. Appraisals provide a comprehensive overview of achievements and areas for development. A new staff member has been inducted successfully, with their abilities tracked systematically through periodic reviews during their probationary period.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings provide regular opportunities to consider the child’s needs, risks and communication, helping staff to respond consistently, thoughtfully and effectively. Consultation with the therapeutic team strengthens staff understanding and ensures that care remains sensitive to the child’s experiences and individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s presence, availability and detailed knowledge of the child underpin the exceptional practice in the home and contribute directly to the positive experiences and progress the child continues to make. The manager is responsible for another home in the provider group; however, this does not diminish her availability to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 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: 2591916 7

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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

Colin Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591916 8 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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