A CARE provider that looks after children, young people and adults with complex needs has been held up as a shining example.

Next Stage Group, which has its head office in Westhoughton, is listed in this year's Parliamentary Review, which highlights best practice around the country.

Now in its fifth year, the Parliamentary Review is an annual guide to industry best practice, featuring the stories of sector leaders who have responded to challenges in the political and economic environment.

Next Stage is one of just a handful of providers from across the country who have been selected to feature in this year's publication.

Lica Marchant, Head of Operations, who attended an interview in London ahead of the selection, said: "It is magnificent that Next Stage has had the opportunity to contribute to the Parliamentary Review by Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett.

"It is wonderful to see some of the examples of our work being shared across the country."

Next Stage works with people who have learning and physical disabilities, mental health needs, brain injury, drug and alcohol dependency and additional social and other vulnerabilities.

The group was founded in 2002 by Paul O’Rourke and Daniel Booth in response to "the lack of support available for people to live in their own home."

In 2004, it became a limited company and moved to new offices in Lord Street, Westhoughton.

Then in 2008, the team moved to its existing head office in Manchester Road.

Today, it comprises four companies which operate across the North West, providing children's services, fostering, supported living for adults and youth development services.

In the three-page article that features in the care edition of the Parliamentary Review, Mr O'Rourke explains: "Many of the people we support face a number of life challenges, but our dedicated workforce specialises in challenging and negotiating some of those difficulties, paving a way forward for growth and development."

Topics discussed in the Care Review include CMA's care homes market study, care home bed losses, wage pressures and tougher legal liability for corporate providers.

The review, which aims to raise standards by highlighting examples of best practice, is sent to more than 500,000 business executives, policy makers and others across the UK.

View the Next Stage article at https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/next-stage-a-way-forward.