Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Bolton

Unique reference number SC057718 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person The Together Trust Registered person address The Together Trust Centre Schools Hill CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 1JE Responsible individual Jill Marie Bernadette Sheldrake Registered manager Carmel Perry Date of last inspection 12/09/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 21/01/2015

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness.

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This inspection

Young people's progress, experiences and outcomes have generally remained positive since the last inspection. Young people are safe and settled within a homely environment, and there are no risk taking behaviours, complaints, significant incidents or restraints. Young people like living at the home and parents and partner agencies are very complimentary about the service. They comment: 'It would be impossible to feel more welcome, I feel that we have an excellent relationship, which is an equal partnership, an excellent level of care.'

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This inspection

Most young people are in full-time education and have an excellent record of school attendance. However, one young person is not attending school at present and is awaiting a new education placement. This is due to be agreed shortly. In the meantime, staff are providing a programme of opportunities to promote learning. Staff continue to champion the rights of young people to suitable education provision and are working closely with the placing authority to secure the most appropriate provision.

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This inspection

Young people are central to care planning and tailored placement plans ensure that they are cared for consistently according to their personal needs. Staff are also skilled at preparing young people for placement to ensure a smooth transition into the home. Moreover, staff know young people's likes and dislikes exceptionally well and take the time to learn about each young person's unique personalities. This ensures that they are fully understood and enabled to make choices and decisions about their lives. 3 of 5 Young people live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and social wellbeing is promoted. They engage in physical and social activities and have easy access to health care services to meet their individual needs. Young people are encouraged to learn independence skills, for example, young people are now having haircuts at the hair dressers, attending to their own personal care needs and taking

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This inspection

The Registered Manager and assistant manager continue to monitor the quality of care effectively and identify areas for improvement. For example, plans to learn and develop communication systems with young people are underway to ensure young people with disabilities are better involved in all aspects of their daily life. The one recommendation raised at the last inspection to improve recruitment practice has been met. Specifically, all telephone references are fully documented and now demonstrate robust practice. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2014 Full outstanding 05/06/2013 Full good 18/03/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 09/10/2012 Full good

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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 young people have access to school, college or alternative provision. (NMS 8.8) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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