Children's home run by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in Bolton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the progress and experience of young people continue to improve. The staff challenge barriers in society to enable young people who have disabilities to participate in new experiences. For instance, they are involved in gardening projects in the community and run a regular car boot stall. These are fine examples of young people contributing positively to their local area. Equally, they are gaining vital skills and confidence that will stand them in good stead for adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service to young people and their families continues to grow. New young people are being introduced to the home slowly and sensitively to ease their transition. This includes young people visiting for tea and gradually building up to stay overnight. Alongside this, detailed care planning with their families and professionals ensures that their individual needs are met to the highest standard. A parent commented: ‘It was like a revelation, he loves it; he loves the one-to-one attention.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are exceptionally well cared for during their stay by a highly skilled and qualified staff team. Young people are safe, protected and enjoy their time away from home. Numerous activities, such as roller skating, crab fishing, metal detecting, and arts and crafts, are all part of the fun here. Monthly topics of discussion, including ‘transport’ and ‘outer space’, stimulate young people’s thoughts and ideas. Activities are then planned around this to cement their learning further, for example rocket making, stargazing and visiting the science museum.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Robust monitoring systems are in place and provide a thorough overview of care practice. Independent scrutiny is excellent, and actions set are welcomed by the registered manager to learn and improve. New systems for record-keeping have been introduced to allow ease of access to information. There are no requirements or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority short break children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who have physical disabilities and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/12/2016 Full Outstanding 17/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/10/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Improved 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 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 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: 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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