But it’s the kind of thinking that has led to a Leigh children’s home being hailed as ‘outstanding’ by government inspectors... one of the very few in the country to get such an accolade.
If you drove past Park View Children’s Home you’d never know it even existed. It’s basically two semis knocked through. It’s nicely kitted out and there are plenty of toys and games for its young residents.
But it’s not the fixtures and fittings that make this home so special so much as the people that work here and their unquestionable commitment to doing the very best for the young people in their care.
Manager Dianne Jeffs took the helm at Park View earlier this year and brings experience as a registered care home manager to the role. She is responsible for a team that includes child care staff and a cleaner.
The home is one of seven managed by the council catering for young people who, for whatever reason, have had to leave the family home.
“Children can come to us from about nine years of age,” says Dianne. “The aim is for them eventually to be placed with foster parents but if that’s not possible they can stay with us here right up until they leave school and beyond.
“It’s our job to give the children as normal a life as possible while they are here with us.
“We basically try and make the home as close to a real home and family environment as we possibly can.”
So while that may mean helping around the house, it also means having your own space, playing out and all the normal things about being a young child.
When an inspector from Ofsted called over the summer he found all this great work in action. Park View was rated ‘outstanding’ in every category. It is one of the very few places of its kind to get such a report and the staff believe it is a model of success that can be used both in our borough and beyond.
