Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Bolton

Unique reference number SC057718 Inspection date 18/03/2013 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is one of a number of homes operated by a charitable trust. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection the home's overall effectiveness was judged as good. This standard of quality has been maintained and the requirement set previously to improve the care planning process has been addressed. However, the recommendation to further develop young people's independence skills has not been completed, therefore, a recommendation to address this shortfall is repeated.

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Progress

Young people remain settled in placement and continue to grow in a nurturing and supportive environment. Young people new to the home are settling well and making progress. All young people have an excellent record of school attendance and achieve their individual potential. Furthermore, young people take part in a range of activities that they enjoy including: swimming, walking, fund raising events and sensory experiences. They enjoy good health and firm care plans and risk assessments are in place to manage young people's complex health needs.

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Progress

Staff know young people very well which is evident in the positive and warm relationships they have built with them. Young people's communication needs are actively supported and arrangements are in place to enable them to make their individual choices and views known. Young people have regular contact with their families and staff liaise with them regularly to promote and support this. These practices empower young people to have more control in their daily lives, irrespective of disability.

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Progress

The home is efficiently managed and operating in accordance to the conditions set. Young people's welfare is promoted and protected through quality assurance processes that provide thorough oversight of the care provided. Moreover, staff are suitably qualified and the team remains stable, which provides consistency and predictability for young people. Staff are supported through regular supervision, team meetings and training opportunities. This contributes to their competence in providing high quality care to young people.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that plans are developed to include further opportunities for young people to learn skills in preparation for adulthood. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph 2.131)

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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