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 last 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 flourish from the consistent care afforded by a dedicated staff team, who have an excellent knowledge of their highly complex needs. Young people are provided with a stable environment, where they are nurtured and supported to progress in all aspects of their development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide young people with a calm and supportive environment. Consistent responses to challenging behaviour is successful in helping young people manage their frustrations and anxieties, which are often brought about by their highly complex needs. There has been one incident where physical intervention was used. This was evaluated by the manager to ensure it was necessary, proportionate and used to ensure young people’s safety and dignity. Young people are given sufficient opportunity to think about and understand their experiences and to communicate any concerns they may have. Young people’s education attendance is 100%. Staff maintain strong links with education staff to provide consistent care in the home and in school. They take an active interest in young people’s educational progress and continue to support their learning in the home. Young people have gained AQA awards for all their achievements, such as making small meals and helping with simple household

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

chores. Staff are extremely proud of the progress they make and support and encourage them to learn new skills, to assist them in their adult lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to have meaningful contact with their families and other important people in their lives. The introduction of Facetime has assisted young people to communicate with family members who live far from the home. This has proved highly effective and has resulted in an increase in contact for most young people. This visual innovation is also helping some young people prepare for visits to their family homes. Staff and parents work collaboratively to help young people familiarise themselves with the home environment. This gives them an understanding of what to expect. This proactive approach has assisted in developing positive relationships between young people and their families. Staff provide a wide range of activities and learning experiences such as air vault and attending the local gym. They support young people to choose their weekly recreational activities and food preferences using picture symbols. Some young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people like to visit the library and with staff support, are able to use public transport. Staff research activities to ensure that they are appropriate for individual interests and learning needs. This creative approach has improved resilience and tolerance and increased self-confidence and self-esteem. A social worker commented: ‘The home encourages young people to follow healthy lifestyles, including participating in activities appropriate to their individual needs.’ There is strong leadership within the home which is effective at all levels. Managers and staff are child focused, proactive and prioritise the needs of the young people in the home. Their knowledge of young people is excellent and they support young people to achieve positive outcomes in all aspects of their development. Staff are learning sign language and a ‘sign of the week’ is helping staff to learn and absorb new words. This creative approach is designed to, and is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

effective in, reducing anxieties for young people who are anxious about communication.

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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 four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 CH - Interim improved 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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