Children's home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive highly individualised care from their stable staff team. Staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of young people’s complex needs. They devise robust and creative plans to ensure young people are afforded optimum life opportunities and experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to ensure that they are well prepared and supported for their transitions from the home to long term placements. A young adult has recently moved on from the home; staff used social stories to gradually build up to his transition to an adult placement. Information was kept simple so as not to over emphasise the forthcoming changes. Prior to his transition he displayed negative behaviours and he subsequently required an assessment from the emergency services. Managers and staff have reflected on their practice and have identified that the social stories had been completed too far in advance. Staff develop strong links with education staff to afford young people continuity both in the home and in school. Young people’s individual educational curriculums are shared with the home to promote AQA awards. For example, young people receive certificates for independent living skills and for progressing well in school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s manager meets regularly with teaching staff to ensure that both disciplines are aware of young people’s behaviour management plans and follow these consistently. This ensures that young people are safe and receive consistent care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported and encouraged to try new experiences. Staff listen to young people’s views and preferences. All activities are methodically planned with young people so that they have sufficient time to process information. A repetitive countdown method helps to build up to an event and ensures that young people are familiar with new places and buildings. This has resulted in young people participating in skiing activities at Chill Factor. Staff reassure and praise young people for positive behaviour. There have been occasions when physical restraint has been used to keep young people, staff and other young people in the home safe. Records confirm that restraint has been used appropriately, for the least amount of time possible. Staff afford young people ample opportunity to think about and understand their experiences and to share any concerns they may have. This positive approach has significantly reduced the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

number of physical restraints, which are only used as a last resort. Records of incidents are evaluated by the manager to ensure the actions taken by staff are appropriate and in young people’s best interests. The manager has identified that some young people have relied heavily on physical intervention and alternative agreed strategies have been implemented, which focus on distraction techniques. This approach has been successful and has resulted in a significant decrease in the use of physical restraint. Positive behaviour plans assist young people to become more tolerant and resilient in situations which previously caused them distress. Staff support young people to choose pictures of items and situations which cause them anxiety. This assists staff to learn what causes their behaviour to escalate and together they plan strategies to help young people overcome these. For example, staff recorded a dog barking

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

which was played down the telephone to young people who have a fear of dogs. Consequently this has resulted in young people’s fears and anxieties reducing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote healthy lifestyles and support young people to attend routine appointments with health professionals. Staff have recently worked in collaboration with the linked nurse to support young people who are anxious about needles to have their immunisations. Sensitive planning and the use of social stories played a crucial part in helping young people to understand what would happen. This process and multi-agency work has been highly effective in young people having the necessary treatment they need to stay healthy. One new member of staff has commenced work in the home since the last inspection. The Registered Manager follows the organisation’s safe recruitment policies and procedures. New staff do not commence work in the home until she is certain that young people are safeguarded. 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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inducted and given strong support from the manager. All staff receive regular supervision which focuses on their professional development and the progress young people make. The Registered Manager has also taken one of the Deputy Service manager roles within the organisation. She is required to deliver more staff training and to monitor some of the organisation’s other homes. The manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager who provides support in her absence. This arrangement will ensure that there is continued oversight of the home and will not compromise the development of young people.

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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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