Children's Home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484789 1 SC484789

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Birtenshaw

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have a learning disability and/or sensory impairment. The home has not had a registered manager since March 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home was judged as inadequate at the last full inspection. Following the inspection, a meeting was held with the deputy chief executive for the service, the social care inspection manager and the allocated social care inspector to review the findings of the inspection. The provider was able to provide assurances that the shortfalls identified had been reviewed and that they would be suitably addressed.

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Information about this children’s home

As a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus) government guidance restrictions, a second full inspection could not be carried out in accordance with timescales.

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Information about this children’s home

This off-site monitoring visit reviewed the action taken by the provider to meet the nine requirements made as a result of the inadequate judgement.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is currently operating without a registered manager. A recruitment drive is taking place to secure an appropriately skilled and experienced manager for this position. An experienced manager for another provision is currently overseeing the management of this children’s home.

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Information about this children’s home

The organisation developed a range of training opportunities for staff to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff attended face-to-face training sessions and online learning sets to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the complex issues children face. Due to COVID-19, some training sessions have been postponed. However, the organisation has utilised the skills and knowledge of more experienced practitioners to provide additional training to staff. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484789 2 The recruitment policy has been amended to ensure that the most suitable staff are selected for a position. This includes recording transferable skills for each applicant. In addition, the induction process for all new staff has been further developed. Staff now receive a face-to-face briefing by senior managers in respect of local safeguarding procedures and complete online safeguarding training before they

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Information about this children’s home

All staff who have successfully completed their induction and probationary period are now registered on the level 3 diploma in residential childcare. This training will help to provide staff with the essential framework for looking after children in residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

An audit has taken place to review the quality and timeliness of the supervision of staff. Arrangements are now in place for senior managers to support the supervision process until senior workers have undertaken appropriate supervision training. It is acknowledged that the delay in this training is as a result of COVID-19 government restrictions.

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Information about this children’s home

Further progress is made in the update and amendment to the home’s statement of purpose. In addition, the acting manager is in the process of revising the home’s development plan and the workforce development plan. A full review of how these amendments are influencing the practice in the home will be undertaken at the next full inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Senior managers have worked with the staff at the home to review the care planning process for all the children accommodated in the home. This review highlighted where improvements were required and assisted the staff team in developing a better understanding of young people’s longer-term care planning arrangements and their role in this. The impact of this review will be assessed at the home’s next full inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the last full inspection on 22 and 23 February 2020, feedback from parents identified that some complaints and concerns had not been recorded in the home’s complaints log. As a result, the acting manager could not demonstrate that these concerns had been addressed. A review of these procedures has been undertaken to ensure that all complaints and/or concerns are documented and supported by the investigation and outcome of any concern raised.

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Information about this children’s home

The documentation and information provided by the deputy chief executive demonstrates that the organisation has been proactive in addressing shortfalls in practice. A full review of the progress in addressing the requirements made at the last inspection will be reviewed once the COVID-19 government restrictions are lifted. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484789 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/02/2020 Full Inadequate 30/01/2019 Full Outstanding 05/12/2017 Full Outstanding 02/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484789 4

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

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Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC484789 5 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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