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 Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are settled in their home and continue to make good progress in all aspects of their development. Staff support them to form positive relationships with adults and other young people who live there. They identify when young people are experiencing difficult relationships with each other and devise appropriate improvement strategies by engaging young people in short activities and gradually increasing the time they spend together. This has significantly improved relationships and young people have come to value their friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are well supported to access routine and specialist healthcare services. Strong working links are sustained with a range of specialist health agencies, such as the child and adolescent mental health services. Staff use these links effectively, working collaboratively to identify triggers to challenging behaviour and developing appropriate methods for young people to manage these. A doll has been introduced for young people to vent their frustrations on in times of distress. The use of this tool, along with calm talking and reassurance has proved highly successful in helping young people to cope with situations they usually find difficult.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support and encourage young people to live healthy lifestyles. They work collectively with the nurse and education staff; using social stories to educate young people on healthy food choices. Some young people complete a daily food diary and participate in choosing activities such as trampolining and attending the local cycling club. This has resulted in young people becoming more physically fit and developing self-confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have well supported, meaningful contact with their families. Staff cultivate good relationships with parents and families and promote positive, safe contact. They offer support to parents and families by helping them understand their child’s behaviour and develop improved ways of managing this effectively. Staff have introduced Skype to help young people have visual contact with their families and pets. This has enhanced relationships and has increased contact with their families and people who are important to them. A social worker commented: ‘staff are very supportive with young people’s families and this has helped bring them together.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

High levels of staff and supervision means that young people do not go missing from the home. There is a notable reduction in the use of physical interventions since the last inspection. All incidents are clearly recorded and evaluated by the home’s manager to ensure that young people are given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences. She ensures that the actions taken are in the best interest of young people and that all interventions are only used to promote young people’s safety. The Registered Manager follows the organisations safe recruitment policies and procedures. New staff do not commence work in the home until she is certain that young people are safe. She fully participates in the interview and selection process, ensuring that new staff have skills and qualifications to meet young people’s individual needs. New staff are well inducted and given strong support from the manager. All staff receive regular supervision which focuses on their professional

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

development and the progress young people make.

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Information about this children's home

This one of a number of homes which operates as part of a charitable organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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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