Children's Home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are clear about their responsibilities in keeping young people safe. They demonstrate a good understanding of the young people in their care, including the needs and risks associated with their disabilities. Strategies for managing risk and keeping young people safe are fully recorded in their respective care plans and risk assessments. This includes the use of adaptations and specialist equipment such as protective helmets, harnesses and equipment to monitor seizure activity during the night. The use of such equipment and implementation of well-thought out risk management strategies does in the main offer a good level of protection. However, the manager failed to take decisive action when one young person’s epilepsy monitor became damaged and in-operational. Instead of taking action to repair or replace it, he became embroiled in discussions with the placing authority about who was going to pay for the repair or replacement. This means that this agreed

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

protective measure has not been in operation since early January 2016 and was only addressed through challenge at this inspection. Fortuitously, this has not had a direct impact on the young person’s wellbeing, but clearly had the potential to pose a serious shortfall in keeping him safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The care of young people has remained paramount despite the high number of changes brought about through staff leaving, redeployment or absence through sickness. This is further compounded by the current vacancies within the team which has the potential to increase imminently. This does without doubt affect the care experiences of young people who can take an immense amount of time to establish strong and trusting relationships with adults. One parent has raised concerns to this effect. Positively, the manager has gone some way to improving the stability within his team by establishing a core team of permanent, suitably experienced staff. However, there is still some way to go to build permanence and consistency. Recruitment is on-going but there is a continued reliance on cover from staff from other homes within the organisation. One social worker who was visiting on the day of the inspection said: ‘I visit several homes and staffing seems

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to be a bit of a problem throughout the organisation. I visit this home regularly and there are three staff on duty now who I never seen before. Positively, the manager has been constant and the care of (Name) has not really suffered.’ The majority of requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. Improvements have been made to the independent person’s monitoring report to ensure that it conforms to regulatory requirements. The manager is more robust in his monitoring of staff performance which ensures new staff are appropriately inducted and have completed relevant training, including safeguarding. The arrangements for staff to receive formal supervision continue to be ad-hoc. The manager identifies the frequency of supervision for all staff to be monthly. However, records do not confirm that this is happening for all staff. This means that staff are not being given the opportunity to formally reflect and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

develop their performance, skills and knowledge; imperative given the number of changes in the team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There was a recommendation made at the last inspection to improve some aspects of the environment. Suitable action has been taken in this respect and has resulted in the redecoration of the lounge and dining room and installation of a radiator in the sensory room. However, the redecoration of the lounge and dining room is undermined by the condition of some of the furniture contained within. For example, the cream sofas in the lounge, which have been donated to the home, are very worn and dirty in appearance and one young person’s favourite, well used recliner chair is damaged and not sufficiently robust to withstand the use it gets. A social worker described this room as: ‘looking a bit tatty.’ Also, the dining room table looks worn and there are only enough dining chairs to seat five people, not enough to seat young people and all of the staff caring for them. This means that there is insufficient provision to accommodate good family values of eating

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

together, although it is acknowledged that young people do generally sit at the table and eat together. Many of these issues have already been identified by the manager and requests for finance submitted. The Registered Manager needs to ensure that a suitable response is made quickly if the lounge and dining area are to reflect a similar quality as demonstrated in other parts of the home, such as young people’s bedrooms.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Further improvements should be considered. A number of radiators should have covers fitted in order to reduce the risk of young people burning themselves on the exposed metal. The manager had taken action to address this during the inspection. The manager needs to make a decision about the use of the computer room, which is currently identified as an activity area, but contains office equipment and some records. Consideration should also be given to the use of the quiet room where young people are said to sometimes go when feeling stressed. There is no furniture in room other than a mattress on the floor. The manager spoke about some young people’s propensity to bang their heads on the floor which is the reason for putting the mattress down. While his motivations are about safeguarding the young people, appropriate protective matting should be fitted if this an assessed behaviour management and safeguarding need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite a number of shortfalls it should be recognised that young people are in the main making good progress in many aspects of their life. Social workers and parents speak positively about the changes to their children who have lived at the home for a good period of time. One social worker spoke positively about how the staff have promoted a young person’s health through the engagement of the ‘right professionals’ and how supportive they have been of his mother. All young people have good attendance at school and are making progress in their education. Feedback from parents is positive, despite their concerns about staffing. One parent said: ‘It is all running smoothly. They have addressed my concerns and I am much more confident that he is okay.’

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Information about this children's home

This is one of a number of children's homes operated by a charitable organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

15/01/2015 CH - Interim declined in effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to-

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Requirement Due date

2(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 21/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the protection of children who require specialist equipment for that purpose, the registered person must ensure-

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Requirement Due date

2(b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect the child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that the damaged epilepsy monitoring equipment is immediately repaired or replaced. 15/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

2(e) ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to reducing the number of changes to the staff team with a view to maintaining and further establishing a permanent and stable group of staff who work in 21/03/2016 this home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice related supervision be a person with appropriate experience. This is with particular reference to ensuring that all staff are receiving formal supervision at the frequency identified in the homes supervision policy. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 21/03/2016

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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