Children's home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Outstanding

The children‟s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people live in a welcoming, family environment where they are making great progress in all aspects of their social and emotional development.  Staff are highly proactive and creative in supporting young people to experience a variety of activities. Young people have achieved goals that were previously thought unlikely, such as riding a bike without support.  Staff know the young people extremely well and have very positive relationships with them. Consistent approaches and routine provide security and stability, which has assisted young people to increase in self-confidence.  Staff are familiar with young people‟s communication preferences. They understand how each young person communicates and adapt to these specific choices. This has helped young people to give their views and has reduced frustration and anxiety.  Managers and staff are highly regarded by placing social workers and young

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

people‟s families. Family members are highly complimentary about the care their child receives and the support that they receive from staff. Consequently, families are having meaningful contact with their child.  Young people are safe due to the high levels of staff supervision both inside and outside the home. Thorough, individual risk assessments ensure that young people are safeguarded at all times.  Staff consistently follow individual behaviour management plans, supporting young people to manage their fears and anxieties in a calmer manner. A safety harness is used to ensure a young person‟s safety while travelling.  Managers and staff are highly proactive and child focused. Multi-agency working is vital to ensure that young people gain the correct level of support, providing a holistic approach to meeting specific care needs.  The staff team is consistent and suitably trained in caring for young people‟s

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

highly complex needs. Staff are either qualified in line with requirements or are on schedule to meet these requirements.  The home‟s kitchen requires updating to provide a place for young people to develop independence skills. Young people would benefit from developing positive relationships with community police officers. The registered manager is keen to bring about these improvements.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Registered persons have a key role in seeking to develop the home‟s effective working relationships with each child‟s placing authority and with other relevant persons, which may include establishments in the local community such as community police officers. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 52, paragraph 10.3)

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Recommendations

 The design of the home, particularly the upkeep of the kitchen, should where appropriate enable children to develop independence skills within a supportive environment of the home, including through encouraging independent use of the kitchen area. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 17, paragraph 3.25)

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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 who have 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

14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

The young people living in this home have made remarkable progress since their admission. They live in a nurturing and positive environment where they are growing in confidence and flourishing as individuals. The home has a positive influence on young people, particularly in their ability to obtain self-care, independence and social skills. Young people are encouraged to access opportunities to become more independent that are appropriate to their age, level of understanding and disability. As a result, young people are more confident and self-assured, and take pride in their achievements. The home‟s kitchen is worn and in need of replacing. The registered manager is keen to improve this and has made a request to the organisation. This improvement will provide a more suitable environment for young people in which they can develop their independence skills. Young people enjoy settled placements; they are growing in confidence and enjoy

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Outstanding

strong relationships with staff and each other. Staff encourage and support young people to engage in a wide range of community activities. They provide opportunities for young people to try new experiences, planning these trips carefully. The use of picture stories helps to prepare young people well in advance, giving them the time they need to process information and talk about any anxieties they may have. This proactive approach has resulted in young people widening their experiences in the community, such as riding a bike and attending the local gym. A social worker said: „Never in a million years did I ever think [name of young person] would be able to ride a bike and he can now ride it without support. I am amazed at all the achievements he has made. Staff are very dedicated and never say “no” to an activity.‟ Staff place the well-being of young people at the centre of their practice, despite the challenges they present. They have a thorough knowledge of young people

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Outstanding

and understand what causes anxiety and distress. They devise strategies to help young people to manage situations that cause these in a more positive way, for example by inviting a dentist to the home to meet young people and gradually building up to successfully obtaining the necessary treatment without distress. Staff know how young people prefer to communicate. Some young people are vocal, while for some, the use of picture symbols and Sign is preferred. Staff are skilled in communicating with them, and weekly „my choice‟ meetings ensure that young people have a say in how they are cared for. Movable picture symbols enable young people to change their minds in relation to food, activities and on occasions staff, for example. This creative strategy means that young people know what will happen each day of the week, affording them security, stability and a sense of belonging. The staff team is highly regarded by other agencies and families. They are

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Outstanding

particularly complimentary in relation to the consistent care provided to young people, which has changed young people‟s lives. Families feel well supported by staff who have assisted them to have meaningful contact with their children in a variety of situations and locations. They engage and support families to follow their child‟s behaviour management plans, ensuring that consistent approaches and responses are provided. Consequently, young people are able to manage and enjoy eating meals with their family in restaurants. A parent said: „Contact is so much better and staff give me help and support. I have a much better relationship with [name of young person] now. I wish he could stay at this home. I think the staff and managers are really nice.‟

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Outstanding

Young people‟s safety is given top priority. Thoughtful, comprehensive and individual risk assessments enable young people to get on with daily living in a safe, secure environment. High levels of staff supervision mean that young people are safeguarded both inside and outside the home. Consequently, young people do not go missing from their home. Young people are more able to manage their fears and anxieties because they know that staff will support them. Staff respond to young people in a calm, positive manner and consistently follow bespoke behaviour management plans. Solid routines and clear boundaries are highly effective in assisting young people in remaining calm. Effective communication and daily handover discussions with education staff, for example, mean that young people receive consistency of care. Staff provide young people with a calm, friendly and supportive environment. Young people know that staff may need to use physical restraint to keep them safe

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Outstanding

because this is explained clearly to them using their choice of communication. This has resulted in there having been no specific incidents that have necessitated physical intervention. This is attributed to an increase in communication and the positive relationships between young people and staff. One young person prefers to use a harness when travelling in a vehicle because it helps him to feel safe and secure. The manager intends to consult with the young person‟s parents, placing social worker and young person to determine whether this is absolutely necessary. Staff have an excellent knowledge of young people‟s tolerance levels and are proud that the young people are now much more accepting of visitors to their home. The inspector observed young people comfortable in her presence and some who felt able to communicate. This is a notable development since the last inspection. Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational screening procedures and

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Outstanding

do not commence work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is regularly serviced to certify that they are in good working order. This ensures that the environment is safe and that young people are protected from people who may present a risk to them.

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Outstanding

The home‟s registered manager has considerable experience of working in the home, in a number of roles. He acquired registration in December 2015 and is currently working towards the level 5 diploma in leadership and management. He is highly motivated and an enthusiastic leader who has excellent oversight of the home. He is passionate about delivering high-quality care and supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes. He is supported by an experienced deputy manager. The two work well together to ensure that the best interests of young people remain at the heart of all they do. A social worker said: „The managers are fantastic and the two really complement each other.‟

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Outstanding

Staff are well supported by managers and receive regular supervision and appraisals. This affords them the opportunity to reflect on their practice and provide young people with excellent individualised care. Informal support and regular team meetings mean that everyone is up to date with young people‟s daily activities and progress. Staff development is promoted and a number of staff are either qualified or working to complete a recognised qualification. Mandatory and specific training keeps staff well informed about aspects of young people‟s needs. This supports staff to develop their knowledge so that they can competently safeguard young people.

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Outstanding

There is strong leadership within the home that is effective at all levels. Managers and staff are highly child focused and proactive. They prioritise the needs of the young people. Their knowledge of young people is excellent and they support them to attain positive outcomes in all aspects of their development. Staff support young people to learn Sign. A „sign of the week‟ helps staff to learn new words alongside young people. This creative approach has proved effective in reducing anxieties and frustration for young people who experience difficulty in communicating their needs. Consequently, young people have increased in confidence and are able to interact positively with those around them.

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Outstanding

The manager welcomes the monthly visits from the independent visitor and benefits from feedback. He uses these visits and care quality reviews to monitor the home‟s progress, regularly evaluating how he can improve the service to young people. He reflects on and analyses care practice and strives to source new experiences to enhance young people‟s lives. He collaborates with the organisation‟s activity worker to source new opportunities for young people within the community and in the home. He develops young people‟s talents and interests by providing materials and learning to further develop these, for example acquiring materials that assist a young person in developing their artistic skills and finding courses to further enhance these skills.

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Outstanding

The manager and staff maintain positive professional relationships with a number of external services, promoting a collaborative approach to meeting young people‟s needs. They work with placing authorities, independent reviewing officers and health professionals, for example, to secure positive outcomes for young people. This has proved effective in helping young people to make sound progress in terms of their individual goals, such as visiting the barbers for a haircut. A social worker said: „Staff regularly update me on the progress [name of young person] has made. I get monthly key-work reports and staff attend all his meetings and compile brilliant reports. [Name of young person] has also attended his meetings, which is just fantastic.‟

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Outstanding

The manager is keen to involve young people in events and with people who work within the community. It was noted at this inspection that young people would benefit from getting to know their community police officers. These relationships would raise young people‟s awareness of how this service supports and helps people. The manager intends to invite these people to visit the young people in their home.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against the „Inspection of children‟s homes: framework for inspection‟.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children‟s home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children‟s home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children‟s home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children‟s home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children‟s home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. 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

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Information about this inspection

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, work- based 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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