Children's Home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC397344 1 SC397344

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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 home is operated by a private organisation and provides care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who may have been diagnosed with a learning disability and/or physical disability.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a condition on this home that it must reduce the number of children by the number of people aged 18 and over who are provided with care and accommodation.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place off site and included a virtual tour of the home. The young adult living in the home was spoken to. The focus of the visit was to ensure that children, young people and the young adult are safe and that their needs are being met.

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This monitoring visit

The home is well furnished and homely. There are photographs of the children and young people in communal areas and their artwork is on display. Children and young people’s bedrooms reflect their likes and interests. One young person has recently moved into the home and the staff are supporting him to personalise his room at his pace. Some areas of the home appear tired and are awaiting redecoration.

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This monitoring visit

Children and young people are supported to develop trusting relationships with staff who understand their individual needs. A range of communication methods and tools are used in the home to communicate with children and young people and capture their wishes and feelings. Staff implement clear and consistent routines and boundaries that help children and young people to feel safe. The young adult living in the home spoke about this being his home and how he will be sad to leave.

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This monitoring visit

Challenges faced by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic are managed effectively. Procedures are clear, and personal protective equipment is readily available. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC397344 2 Professionals are positive about the care provided and the quality of communication from the staff team. Relationships with children and young people’s families are effective. Children and young people have been able to keep in touch with their families through virtual communication and outdoor visits. A family member said, ‘The home is doing all it can to help us to see [name] in these difficult times.’

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding incidents and allegations are well managed. Any shortfalls are quickly addressed by the manager. Risk assessments provide clarity for staff around keeping children and young people safe. During the visit, some inconsistencies were identified across risk management plans and it was not always clear when they had been reviewed.

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This monitoring visit

Physical interventions are predominantly low level and used to guide young people safely in line with their plans. Recordings made following incidents are detailed. One incident involving an inappropriate strategy was dealt with effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The home has an experienced and qualified registered manager. She provides clear leadership and guidance and has strong oversight. Staff say they feel supported and have access to quality supervision and training. The manager has recently arranged additional training and increased staffing levels to support a young person as he settles into the home.

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This monitoring visit

The team is stable. The staff work collaboratively to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care. There are some vacancies that are being covered by staff from within the organisation, and recruitment is ongoing.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made to recordings and the quality of care report. The organisation is looking to make further changes to its current recording system.

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This monitoring visit

The recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/01/2020 Full Good 07/01/2019 Full Good 01/08/2017 Full Good 16/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC397344 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that high standards are maintained throughout the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that risk management plans are consistent and regularly reviewed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that the recording systems used in the home support clear and concise recordings. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton BL7 9AB

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Inspector

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC397344 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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