Children's Home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1232380 1

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Birtenshaw - company number 02978546

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a charitable organisation providing short-break services to six young people who may have physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities and/or emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2018.

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This monitoring visit

An emergency suspension notice was issued to the provider on 25 March 2019 along with three compliance notices. At the monitoring visit on 2 May 2019, it was confirmed that no children were living at the home. Therefore, the provider has complied with the notice. At this visit, it was identified that the provider has taken sufficient action to meet the actions identified in the regulation 6 and 14 compliance notices. The provider had not, however, taken sufficient action to meet the required actions set out in the regulation 13 compliance notice. As a result of this, a further compliance notice has been issued under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. In terms of regulation 6, the provider has improved the home environment. A nurturing home that is bright and clean, with toys and soft furnishings, is now evident. Damaged equipment has been replaced. Changing mats and the required continence disposal bags are now readily available.

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This monitoring visit

In terms of regulation 14, the provider has taken steps to ensure that the actions set out in this notice are met. While there have been no further young people who have come to stay in the home, the provider was able to describe the changes that they have made to ensure that young people in the home are suitably matched in the future. The provider has now ensured that the required individual care records are available in the home. Team meetings had taken place. In the meeting, the provider had reiterated to the staff their roles and responsibilities in keeping good-quality Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1232380 2 records in all aspects of the young people’s care. At the monitoring visit on 2 May 2019, a discussion took place with the provider about the improvements that had been made in the safe administration and recording of medication. The registered manager confirmed that there are only five

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This monitoring visit

staff trained in medication. Seven staff still require training in this area. Training is reported to be planned at the end of May 2019. However, this has not yet taken place. This fails to demonstrate that there are sufficient staff in the home appropriately trained to safely administer and appropriately record the medication for vulnerable young people. Therefore, it does not provide evidence that sufficient action is taken by the provider to reduce the risk of harm to young people. Significant improvements in the home environment were observed. Specialist aids and adaptations have been replaced. However, not all staff are trained in the safe moving and handling of young people. Training is reported to be planned for the end of May 2019. This does not demonstrate that all staff who work directly with young people have the required skills and knowledge to safely support young people and protect themselves. This continues to place young people and staff at risk of

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This monitoring visit

potential harm. Therefore, it does not provide evidence that sufficient action is taken by the provider to reduce the risk of harm to young people and staff working in the home. At the monitoring visit, a discussion took place with the registered manager about the current staff team and the skills and knowledge that staff must have to safely care for children and young people. Within the statement of purpose, it states that staff are trained to meet the needs of vulnerable young people. However, not all staff have received basic training to demonstrate that they all have the skills and knowledge in all areas to keep young people safe and meet young people’s individual care and support needs. The provider has indicated that training is planned for the end of May 2019. However, if the service was to open prior to staff obtaining the skills and knowledge base required, the provider cannot ensure that young people will be safely supported.

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This monitoring visit

The inaction taken by the provider does not demonstrate that the individual care and support needs of all young people will be met and that all potential and known risks will be minimised. This does not ensure that the safety and well-being of all young people is prioritised.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/08/2018 Full Good 24/08/2017 Full Good 07/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 27/04/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1232380 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

*13(1) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 31/05/2019

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Birtenshaw - company number 02978546

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Birtenshaw Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton BL7 9AB

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Inspectors

Jo Hornby, social care inspector Mr Paul Robinson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1232380 4 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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