Children's home run by Birtenshaw 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 sustained effectiveness . The young people living in this home are well established and settled in their environment. Staff work tirelessly with the young people and are dedicated in supporting them to gain the best outcomes possible. Young people continue to make excellent progress in all aspects of their physical and emotional development. Staff support and encourage young people to try new experiences and opportunities and offer a variety of activities that are meticulously planned, such as indoor sky diving. Some young people have joined the local library and are supported to attend drama class at a theatre, where they are able to meet young people with similar needs. This has enabled young people to take a leading role in the school play and has helped to develop resilience, increase self-confidence and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

self-esteem. Young people’s education attendance is 100%. Staff share information with education staff on a daily basis to ensure that both disciplines are fully up to date with young people’s emotional and physical needs. Staff take an active interest in young people’s educational progress, linking their learning needs into the home. For example, staff visit the library to find a specific book, and grow chillies that will be used for young people to cook with in the home. This proactive and creative approach develops young people’s learning and provides consistent care. A social worker said, ‘There is very good communication between the home and school.’ Young people continue to make significant achievements in meeting their individual goals. Staff have supported and enabled some young people to visit the barber and have their hair cut. Staff set small goals and build these up until young people are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

able to manage tasks which have been a cause of anxiety and distress to them. Future targets include supporting young people to shave with an electric razor. Communication is key in helping young people to understand what is expected of them. Staff use social stories and have completed signalong training, which has been of benefit to both staff and the young people. The organisation now has the input of an occupational therapist. Her role is to undertake sensory assessments with each young person and to recommend various methods to help young people with their complex emotional and/or physical needs. The addition of a sound board is proving successful for some young people in helping them to understand different sounds and to help them to remain calm. Staff facilitate and support young people to have meaningful contact with their families. They ensure that contact is safe and in line with young people’s individual

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

plans. Staff are a good support to young people’s families; for example, they have enabled them to enjoy eating tea in a restaurant with their child. This has resulted in an increase in young people’s contact, and some young people are working towards having overnight contact with their family. A parent said, ‘I am happy with the progress [name] is making and the increase in family contact.’ There have been some changes in the arrangement of staff. The home has a new registered manager delegate, who has lengthy experience of working in the home. Managers have been nominated for various awards, such as Great Britain care awards and national learning disability awards. One member of staff was successful in gaining the employer of the month. The recommendations from the last inspection have been suitably met. 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 has enabled the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people to familiarise themselves with him prior to his visit. This planning was highly successful and young people benefit from these visits. This relationship will raise young people’s awareness of how this service supports and helps people. The home’s kitchen has been updated and now provides young people with an appropriate environment, where they are able to develop independence skills such as cooking. The young people are very active and utilise all aspects of the home. The carpets to the stairs and landing are worn and need replacing. The manager has reported this shortfall to the organisation.

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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 four young people who may have learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

Children receive care from staff who ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of children and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (c)(i)(ii)) 21/04/2017

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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: 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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