Children's home in Bolton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . At the time of the last inspection, the management team had undertaken a comprehensive review of the records held on the young people. However, some information in their healthcare plans and risk management plans was not sufficiently detailed, such as the implications of missing their medication or the reasons why they are seeing outside agencies. Staff have taken action to remedy this, and health information is clearly highlighted in the young people’s plans. One young person expressed positive comments about the home. Young people's emotional and physical health is well promoted. For example, they have access to a therapist within the organisation. This gives them the opportunity to explore their pasts and to develop positive ways of managing their negative thoughts and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

feelings. Staff recognise the triggers that may cause a young person to engage in self-harm. They are skilled and experienced in working directly with young people that self-harm. Effective strategies mean that, over time, incidents have reduced in frequency for one young person. Relationships with health professionals are well developed and focused on the needs of the young people. All young people are in full-time education. They continue to make steady progress. For example, one young person has successfully completed level 1 in his course and is progressing to level 2 in the new term. This enhances his life chances and economic well-being. If necessary, staff support individual young people in the classroom. This ensures that they are fully supported with their learning needs. Staff at times use physical intervention when a young person puts themselves or others at risk. However, staff use phrases within restraint records such as, ‘was

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

going to’ and ‘seemed to be’, which do not clearly demonstrate that the use of physical intervention was absolutely necessary. That said, staff are managing challenging situations more effectively, which has resulted in a significant reduction in incidents for one young person. There are good systems in place for managing incidents of young people going missing. This includes staff searching for them and trying to maintain contact via mobile phones. Staff work collaboratively with the local police and placing social workers to manage the risks. Young people are provided with an opportunity to speak to someone independent of the home when they return from being missing. This further promotes their welfare and safety. Individual risk assessments highlight specific risk factors for each young person. However, risk management strategies do not provide staff with clear instructions in terms of monitoring a young person’s welfare when they are under the influence of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

drugs and/or alcohol. Safeguarding concerns are effectively managed, and any issues are reported to the appropriate authorities. Complaints are responded to promptly and investigated thoroughly. The home keeps a clear record of any complaints and any action taken to deal with them. There are good systems in place for reviewing and monitoring the quality of care provided. The independent visitor’s reports highlight areas requiring management direction. However, copies of the visitor’s report are not sent to Ofsted as required. This means that the regulator does not have effective oversight of the home between inspections.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private company. The home provides care for four young people, aged from eight years to 17 years, who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered persons must comply within the given timescales.

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20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

(1) Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing

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20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

(a) injury to any person (including the child); (b) serious damage to the property of any person (including the child).

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20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

(2) Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

(3) These regulations do not prevent a child from being deprived of their liberty where that deprivation is authorised in accordance with a court order. 30/09/2016

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20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

The registered person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to HMCI. (Regulation 44(7)(a)) 30/09/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. When there are concerns for a child, their placement plan and risk assessments, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. This specifically relates to clearer risk management and strategies in relation to monitoring young people believed to be under the influence of alcohol or harmful substances. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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 that 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 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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