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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040723 1 SC040723

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Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home that is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

During an assurance visit on 3 and 4 November 2020, the inspector identified serious and widespread concerns. Young people were regularly reported missing from home. Staff were not following risk management plans and, as a result, young people were at increased risk of exploitation. Staff did not have the knowledge to safeguard young people. Young people had moved into the home without an accurate assessment of the skill-set of the staff to be able to meet their needs. This had a negative effect on the safety and well-being of others in the home.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was completed on 9 December 2020 in order to review progress made against the two compliance notices served. These related to regulation 12, protection of children, and regulation 13, leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) led to a decision for two young people to stay and self-isolate in their families’ homes. Six staff, including the acting manager, have been required to self-isolate since the last visit. This has had an effect on the progress made against the compliance notices but it is clear that progress has been made.

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This monitoring visit

Efforts have been made to meet each of the steps in the compliance notices. The acting manager submitted an action plan to Ofsted prior to this visit. There is increased management oversight and monitoring in place.

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This monitoring visit

Although six staff have been required to self-isolate since the last visit, young people have remained settled. All are now engaging in education. When young people have Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040723 2 not attended school, staff have requested work for them to complete at home and supported young people with this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff now share information with school and other services about incidents in the home to ensure that young people are kept safe. On one occasion, the acting manager did not discuss concerns with the school about allowing a young person to leave earlier than planned. The young person did not return home, and was missing until the following day.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, there has only been one incident of a young person being reported missing from home. This is largely due to the fact that one of the young people has been staying with her family on a temporary basis. Staff have made efforts to stay in touch with her and complete welfare checks while she is not in the home. She has not been reported missing while in the care of her family.

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This monitoring visit

Risk management plans have been streamlined and updated to ensure that information included is accurate. However, further detail is still required to inform staff of the actions to take, including following young people who leave the home without authorisation, and seeking medical advice in the event that a young person returns under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

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This monitoring visit

Daily shift leaders have now been identified. This person is responsible for keeping an allocated phone on them at all times. Young people have the phone number and can call in an emergency. There are now sufficient staff to search for young people or collect them in the event of them being missing from home.

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This monitoring visit

Additional steps have been taken to reduce the opportunity for young people to feel pressured to go missing with other residents. Covert methods have been discussed with one young person, who can request staff support privately. The safe words previously agreed have been reviewed in the plans, and discussed with staff and the young person. There are now clear plans in place for staff on how to respond if the safe words are used.

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This monitoring visit

There has only been one occasion when a young person has been reported missing. However, staff did not follow the risk management plan. Although staff stayed in touch with the young person, they did not go to the known areas to look for her. As a result, she was missing overnight. The manager has reviewed the incident form but has not identified that the risk management plan was not followed and had not addressed this with the staff.

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This monitoring visit

One young person who moved into the home on the day of the last visit has settled in well and has not been at risk. The acting manager requested and received further information to ensure that the effect of the young person’s admission on other young people could be accurately assessed. On the day of the monitoring visit, he was celebrating his birthday with balloons, banners and a cake. He told the inspector he is happy in the home and feels safe. His bedroom had been personalised. Staff are supporting him to continue with his education plans. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040723 3 The acting manager has shared feedback from the last visit with young people. Young people’s views about how staff can keep them safe have been incorporated into the risk management plans.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has implemented a training programme for staff, including external training in child sexual exploitation. Although some staff have completed the training, cases of COVID-19 in the home have had a negative effect on the timescales for completion.

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This monitoring visit

A case review has been held and the compliance notices have been met. Activity will continue to be monitored through notifications. Other requirements and recommendations made at the assurance visit have not been reviewed during this visit and will be considered at the next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/06/2019 Full Good 18/09/2018 Full Good 19/10/2017 Full Good 06/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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: Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Victoria Square, PO Box 29, Bolton BL1 1RU

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Inspector

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040723 4 Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC040723 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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