Children's Home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

This inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The young people living in this home are well established. They continue to make good progress in all aspects of their development, such as education attendance, health and social skills. Staff ensure that the young people are adequately supervised at all times. This means that young people do not go missing from the home. Bespoke risk assessments and behaviour management plans are designed to help young people to manage their emotions in a positive way. Staff have an excellent understanding of the triggers for negative behaviour. They pre-empt situations which may cause young people anxiety and frustration. Staff ensure that young people’s individual plans are followed consistently so as to provide them with stability and security. In addition, these plans assist young people to manage changes in their lives. For example, staff create unique social stories to help young people to understand their future plans. This creative approach has resulted in

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This inspection

young people being fully involved in planning their futures and contributing to their transition plans, which has assisted them during their moves to adult placements. The recommendations made at the last inspection are suitably met. Following an isolated safeguarding incident, the manager swiftly implemented focus sessions for all staff. These sessions afford staff the opportunity to discuss restraint measures. The manager has ensured that all staff members understand that methods used must be proportionate, necessary, and used to keep young people and others safe. These sessions are designed to reinforce staff’s understanding of their own accountability and responsibilities when physical intervention is used. From these sessions, the manager has introduced tools for young people to use following a physical intervention. This strategy assists and supports young people to consider better ways to manage their anger and frustrations. This has resulted in a

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significant reduction in the number of physical interventions. A social worker commented, ‘Communication is excellent. I receive regular reports, which are well written. I am sent well-recorded information of any physical intervention used.’ Following the last inspection, the manager has made connections with the local police officer who has visited the home to meet the young people. A photograph of the police officer enabled the young people to familiarise themselves with him prior to his visit. This planning was highly successful and young people enjoy his visits and are looking forward to seeing his police car and trying on a police uniform. This relationship will raise young people’s awareness of how this service supports and helps people. The manager continues to make developments to assist and support young people to manage their lives. Interactive books help some young people to understand which staff members will be caring for them each day. For example, photographs

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This inspection

of each staff member can be attached to young people’s individual books, which enables them to clearly identify which staff member will be at the home on their return from school. This creative method has proved successful in assisting young people to understand their daily care and has avoided anxiety and escalation in their behaviour. The manager has implemented robust measures in relation to the administration of very low doses of medication. A photograph of a syringe showing the correct prescribed dosage gives staff a clear visual aid of what the dose looks like, along with the written instructions. This development assists staff to ensure that young people are administered the correct level of medication. Staff promote and facilitate contact between young people and their families where appropriate. They understand the importance of contact in relation to their culture and identity. Individual contact plans ensure that communication between young

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This inspection

people and their families is safe, and a positive experience for all involved. This proactive approach affords the young people consistent care.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of homes which operates as part of a charitable organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who may have physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/09/2015 Full Good 17/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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 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 0300 123 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 children looked after 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 at: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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