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 receive highly individualised care from staff who know them well. Staff are particularly creative and highly successful in gaining the views of young people who have complex needs.  Staff encourage young people to build trusted and secure relationships with them. Consistent approaches have resulted in stability and security which have helped to develop good relationships with other people and increase self-confidence.  Careful, sensitive planning means that new admissions settle quickly into the home. Staff gain extensive information from parents and previous information to ensure that care is consistent.  Staff work effectively with a range of professionals to ensure that young people’s needs are met and their risks and vulnerabilities are well managed. This collaborative approach produces well thought out strategies which ensure that the right level of action is taken to keep young people safe from

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

harm.  Staff devise meticulous risk assessments and behaviour management plans that help and support young people to safely participate in a variety of activities which develop social skills and widen their experiences.  The manager has high aspirations for her staff team and is dedicated to promoting the best possible outcomes for young people. She is highly motivated and has a strong focus on driving improvement to ensure that young people receive exceptional individual care and support.  Decision making and planning for young people’s futures are excellent. The manager effectively analyses the progress that young people make and is proud of their accomplishments. There is considerable understanding of young people’s future needs and how consistent care is the key to young people making successful transitions to adulthood.  Staff are up to date with current themes and trends such as child sexual

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

exploitation and radicalisation. The manager regularly reviews the home’s area risk assessment and strategies for managing this. She is keen to develop this further by evaluating the risks related to child sexual exploitation and radicalisation.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The review of the home's premises includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location in relation to child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/09/2015 Full Outstanding

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Outstanding

Young people are flourishing from the exceptional care that they receive from a stable staff team. Young people are making significant progress in all aspects of their development and this is evidenced by photographs throughout their home. Consistent approaches afford young people with stability and security and enable them to achieve their individual goals. A parent commented, ‘The staff are loving and friendly and most of all relaxed in the home.’ Staff work proactively getting to know young people, gaining information about their past histories from parents, carers, social workers and previous placements to help inform their care. This enables staff to develop an understanding of individual likes, dislikes and how young people’s past history may impact on their behaviours. They ensure that important aspects of care are continued in the home. For example, saying a familiar prayer at bedtime, helping a young person settle to

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Outstanding

sleep. Effective planning supports young people when they move into the home. Careful consideration is given to their needs and the young people who are living there. Social stories give young people information on each other so that they are well prepared. Introductory visits meet individual young people’s needs and are not rushed. This proactive approach enables transitions into the home to be a positive and reassuring experience. Staff put young people at the centre of their practice. There is a wealth of evidence throughout the home to demonstrate the remarkable progress that young people make. Staff are highly creative in gaining young people’s views on the care that they receive. The use of picture symbols and verbal communication has enabled young people to contribute to their individual care plans. Consequently, young people receive the right level of care for their highly complex needs. A social

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Outstanding

worker commented, ‘X’s wishes and feelings are always taken into account.’ Young people’s meetings provide a forum for staff to gain their views on food preferences and recreational activities, which helps to inform daily care. Staff support and assist young people to prepare for review meetings, supporting them to communicate their wishes and feelings in their preferred method. This positive approach has resulted in some young people attending these meetings, providing other agencies and staff a good insight of the young person and their specific needs. Staff enable young people to attend their educational provision. They work collaboratively with education staff, communicating daily to promote consistency and structure. The communication between the two disciplines is effective. Strategies and approaches are regularly discussed to develop consistent responses to meeting young people’s educational needs and managing their behaviour.

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Outstanding

Staff promote contact between young people and their families. They maintain close links with young people’s families and facilitate regular, safe contact, regardless of the distance. They develop creative systems to help young people understand these arrangements. The use of social stories enables young people to recognise when they will be seeing their family. This method ensures that young people are fully aware of their plans. A parent commented, ‘I have daily contact with staff and also daily phone calls with my son. Staff help me to see him regularly.’ Young people are encouraged to lead rich and fulfilling lives. Their complex needs do not hinder their opportunities, for example, young people take part in a variety of activities both within the home and in the community such as canoeing, climbing and cycling. New experiences are meticulously planned. Comprehensive risk assessments provide clear guidance for staff to follow without unnecessary

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Outstanding

restriction. Consequently, young people are increasing in self-confidence and self- esteem.

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Outstanding

Staff know young people well and are able to understand the triggers to behaviour and how frustration and anxiety may impact on these. They work sensitively with young people, affording them sufficient opportunity to talk about issues which worry them. Staff anticipate situations that may cause a change in behaviour, and develop effective strategies with young people to help manage these calmly. For example, the use of ear defenders for young people who are unable to tolerate loud noises. Staff ensure that young people have optimum life experiences, supported with effective planning to minimise risks both inside and outside of the home. Clear, comprehensive risk assessments establish young people’s individual known risks, and these assessments are regularly updated when the risks change. Young people’s goals and accomplishments are not deterred by their complexities. Staff’s commitment, determination and support have enabled young people to have a

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Outstanding

wide range of social experiences including caravan holidays. Young people are well protected because staff give young people’s safety and well- being top priority. Staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. Staff are committed to providing young people with emotional warmth and nurturing them. Staff promote positive behaviour. The use of picture symbols assists staff to communicate effectively with young people, helping them to manage their emotions and provide them in a calm supportive environment. Staff support young people with redirection and de-escalation techniques as outlined in individual positive handling plans. Young people know that occasionally staff will use physical restraint to keep them safe because this is explained to them. This has resulted in fewer incidents involving young people that have necessitated the use of physical

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Outstanding

intervention. These techniques are designed to ensure that young people do not harm themselves, other young people and staff. These methods are low level and for a short period of time. Managers have now created a system designed to reduce physical interventions. They aim to help and support young people to manage their behaviour by using praise, time-out and showing young people their daily plans. It is anticipated that this will assist them to focus on their present and direct future plans. These methods will be monitored, reviewed and modified as and when required. Since the last inspection, there have been two incidents when young people were absent from the home for a short period of time. Staff search the area to locate them and find out the reasons for this, putting robust plans in place to stop any reoccurrence. For example, young people who like to run and climb are afforded more opportunities to do this while being supported by staff. Records are clearly

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Outstanding

documented and evaluated by the manager. In addition, young people are spoken with by an independent person from another of the organisation’s homes. This additional support confirms the triggers to this behaviour and ensures that they have good strategies in place. This system is proving successful and young people are choosing not to abscond because of the additional activities added to their care. Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment are routinely serviced to ensure that it is in good working order. These measures ensure that the environment is safe and that young people are protected from persons who may present a risk to them. The home has developed highly effective links with specialist agencies in respect of risk assessment and young people. The manager regularly reviews the home’s area

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Outstanding

risk assessment and identifies risks within the community and strategies for managing these. The manager is keen to develop this by evaluating the risks associated with radicalisation and child sexual exploitation within the home’s locality. This improvement will provide staff with a knowledge and understanding of the potential risks within the area and clear strategies to follow to ensure that young people are safeguarded.

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Outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since the home was registered in January 2015. She is suitably experienced and is currently working towards the level 5 diploma. The manager is also one of a number of deputy service managers within the organisation. This entails filling in for annual leave and contributing to the service development plan. These additional tasks do not impact on her role as registered manager because she is supported by an experienced deputy manager who shares her commitment and dedication to the young people. Care and placement plans are highly individualised and provide an excellent point of reference for staff to follow. The manager has high expectations of her staff and motivates them to be creative and evaluative in the work that they do. She regularly monitors the quality of care, learning from practice and seeking feedback from young people to improve their care experiences. She has excellent oversight

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Outstanding

of young people’s specific plans, ensuring that they are meaningful and achievable and is able to demonstrate the progress that they have made from their starting points. Staff supervision and annual appraisal is facilitated by the management team and focuses on the progress of young people and staff development. Research-based practice informs care provision to ensure that young people receive the best care possible for their specific and complex needs. Information is regularly shared with staff and ensures that their care practice is based on strong foundations. The manager maintains strong links with a number of external services, promoting a collaborative approach to ensure that young people’s holistic needs are met. These positive relationships provide direct support for young people and provide staff with information, training and support, which enriches their abilities in meeting young people’s needs. This has proved effective in helping young people

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Outstanding

to make positive progress in terms of their individual goals, including keeping themselves safe from harm. A social worker commented, ‘Communication is always excellent.’ The registered manager regularly reviews the home’s premises to ensure that the home is suitably located. She consults various agencies such as the police to ensure that any known risk areas are identified. This provides a useful reference for staff to educate young people on areas that may not be safe. The registered manager is keen to improve this document to include any risks to young people in relation to child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. This additional information will assist staff in ensuring that any potential risks to young people are minimised. The manager has effective monitoring systems in place, with additional external oversight from an independent visitor. The manager ensures that she is a key part of this monitoring visit, enabling her to act on any shortfalls in a timely manner.

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Outstanding

Additional hourly monitoring systems have been put in place for young people who are new to the home. These assist staff to gain an overall picture of the young person’s patterns and triggers throughout the day, enabling them to formulate strategies to help young people to manage these in a more positive way. The manager is highly supportive of her staff team and is proud of the work that they do in supporting young people to make such significant progress. She ensures that staff are up to date with training that is specific to young people’s needs, affording them with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide individualised care. Among other topics, monthly meetings provide opportunities for staff to reflect on what has been achieved and what needs to be improved. The manager oversees key work sessions and additional work to ensure that records are evaluative and reflective. The manager drives her staff to evaluate the work that they do and supports them

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Outstanding

to use research to practice using the Gibbs reflective cycle. She has high expectations and drives staff to be creative and to utilise new ideas that benefit young people. As a result, staff are highly creative in sourcing different ways for young people to make choices. This is successful, with the use of picture exchange communication systems and social stories. A staff member said, ‘Managers are very supportive. They listen to our ideas and give opportunities for us to implement them. This is the best home I’ve worked in.’

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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 ‘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 looked after children 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 that 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 who 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, 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

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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