Children's home run by Bright Futures Care Limited 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 with autism and additional learning needs remain settled and continue to make good progress. They are growing in confidence because they experience care that is sensitive to their needs, identity and ethnicity. Staff are fully committed to enabling young people to lead happy and fulfilling lives. As a result, they are encouraged to try new experiences, such as engaging in community activities without the direct supervision of care staff. For instance, one young person enjoys attending the local youth club and has also joined the local athletics club. This provides him with the opportunity to meet with and build friendships with other young people of a similar age.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have moved into or out of the home since the last inspection. However, there is a lack of transition planning for two young people, who are now 18 years old. This means that there is the potential for drift in planning for their futures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are in full-time education and attend regularly. There is excellent liaison between the home and school, which ensures consistency in care. All young people enjoy attending and benefit from extra-curricular activities, such as after- school club and summer scheme. One young person recently enjoyed a work- experience session at a local home for the elderly. This helps to improve young people’s social skills and self-esteem. Staff continue to work with specialist services to expand young people’s communication skills. For example, one young person is using visual prompts such as a ‘now and next’ system. This helps him to understand short-term plans. Another young person is able to request food and drink using simple sentences on his communication device. As a result, young people are managing to self-regulate and follow direction with fewer verbal prompts.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have strong working relationships with the young people’s families, social workers, teachers and health workers. This ensures that young people benefit from good-quality care through which their emotional, physical and health needs are well met. Young people show fewer signs of anxiety and frustration, and this is reflected in the reduction of physical interventions. However, on occasions the records of physical interventions lack clear evaluation by the manager, particularly when advanced holds have been used. That said, senior managers are in the process of reviewing these records in order to improve the quality of recording.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff continue to play a significant role in promoting positive contact between young people, their parents and siblings. This includes transporting and supporting young people on visits. For example, one young person has visited his family in London and spent time independently with them. Another young person has been supported to visit his family home, and attend his place of worship with family members. One young person has been supported to re-establish contact with a family member that they have not seen for some time. This improves emotional resilience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has not notified Ofsted of an investigation into a safeguarding concern. This has not impacted on the welfare of the young people because there is evidence to demonstrate that the provider liaised with the local authority designated officer. However, a recommendation has been made to ensure that all events are notified to the regulatory body.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made at the last inspection. The manager regularly monitors the progress that individual young people make and can demonstrate the positive impact that living at the home is having on their life chances.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities or sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/12/2015 Full Outstanding 18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/12/2014 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets 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 person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child's placing authority. (Regulation 14(2)(b)(iii)) 31/12/2016

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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

 Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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Recommendations

 Regulation 40(4) requires the registered person to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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 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

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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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