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 full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has I mproved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress from their starting points. Staff follow young people’s individual behaviour management plans and use rewards effectively. This is helping to improve young people’s behaviour and to strengthen their emotional and psychological well-being. Staff are particularly patient in helping young people manage their anxieties and frustrations, which has resulted in positive relationships and improved behaviour for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection one young person has made a successful transition to a new placement, closer to his family home. Staff worked collaboratively with the placing authority and staff from his new home. The use of social stories helped to prepare him, and the other young people in the home for the transition. This strategy provided opportunities for two way discussion and for staff to identify any worries or anxieties and help resolve these. Staff supported the young person to visit his placement, where he enjoyed having tea with other young people who live there. Information was shared regarding his individual care needs to ensure he was afforded consistency. This sensitive approach resulted young people being enabled to manage change successfully, and assisted the young person make new relationships and settle quickly into his new home. The Registered Manager ensures that new admissions are carefully planned. She

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

gives careful consideration to the needs and impact of the young people who live in the home and the skills and experience of the staff team. Once a suitable match is identified staff will support and prepare young people with social stories. This ensures that the young people remain stable and that their progress and development is not compromised. Staff promote young people’s health and ensure that their individual needs are met. Some young people occasionally need to take a new medicine, which has proved a challenge to administer. Staff identified the barriers to this and devised a strategy with young people which has been successful. For example a daily target board ensures that medication is administered prior to young people engaging in daily tasks. This innovative approach ensures that young people’s physical health is promoted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff value young people’s educational progress, and attendance is 100%. They work closely with education staff and communication between the two disciplines is highly effective. They regularly discuss strategies and approaches and develop consistent responses to meet young people’s educational needs. Staff are proud of the achievements young people continue to make and have recently supported them to collect awards at the Reebok stadium for positive attitudes and creative catering arts. This has resulted in young people gaining in self-confidence and self-worth. A social worker commented: ‘Young people are making steady progress. Staff assist them to attend school and to achieve AQA awards. This is evident in the awards young people have gained.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

High levels of staff supports the safety of young people, and there have been no incidents of young people going missing from the home. Staff promote positive behaviour and use thoughtful approaches to reduce negative behaviour. They talk to young people about how to manage their emotions and supply them with suitable levels of support and a calm environment. Physical interventions are used as a last resort and to ensure young people’s safety. Each intervention is evaluated by the manager to ensure that it was proportionate, necessary and reasonable. Young people are reassured throughout and helped to understand the reasons for the intervention. A debrief has been introduced by the manager which enables staff to discuss the restraint as a team and to consider whether the practice could be improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s manager has sourced information in relation to young people with autism. This information assists staff to understand behaviours and reasons for implementing certain strategies. For example, the importance of using social stories and visual aids and how this benefits young people. This has enhanced staff knowledge and understanding and has resulted in more evaluation of their practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team continues to be stable and consistent. One member of staff has transferred to the home from another of the organisation’s homes. The home’s manager identified that young people would benefit from another male role model in the home. This has been successful and young people have made a positive relationship with him. The manager and staff work collectively with other agencies and professionals. They have positive relationships with parents and placing social workers to promote good outcomes for young people. They work effectively with agencies such as G-Map, education staff, and healthcare agencies, sharing information and ideas. This collaborative approach supports young people to develop and progress in all aspects of their care. A social worker commented: ‘There is effective communication. Staff are proactive and supportive of the young people and willing to go the extra mile.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is part of a charitable organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with learning disabilities and sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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