Children's home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC467796 1 SC467796

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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 part of a charitable organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who may have been diagnosed with a learning disability and/or physical disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 14 May 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place off site and included a virtual tour of the home. The three children living at the home were spoken to as part of the visit. The focus of the visit was to ensure that children are safe and to monitor the progress made since the last inspection on 9 October 2019. The manager was not available on the day of the visit which was facilitated by other members of the management team.

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This monitoring visit

The home is warm and welcoming with a homely feel. Children’s bedrooms reflect their individual tastes, likes and dislikes.

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This monitoring visit

Children living in the home benefit from positive relationships with staff who care about them and understand their individual needs. Various communication methods are used and there are communication boards in all rooms to ensure that the children are able to express their wishes and feelings.

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This monitoring visit

Parents and professionals are highly positive about the level of care and communication provided by the team. One parent said that she knows her child is safe. The parent also said, ‘He is happy, he laughs, he is progressing, we could not ask for more.’

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This monitoring visit

Clear hygiene practices are in place to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 (coronavirus). Personal protective equipment is available and cleaning routines are consistent. Staff have used social stories to support children’s understanding of the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC467796 2 pandemic. One parent said, ‘They have done a marvellous job getting [name of child] to understand social distancing and personal protective equipment. The work they have done around COVID-19 is tremendous.’

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This monitoring visit

Children are helped to keep in touch with their families through socially distanced visits and virtual communication. Gazebos were specifically purchased to accommodate safe visits at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Children have access to routine and specialist healthcare services and the team remains vigilant to children’s health needs. Children’s plans are detailed and provide staff with strategies to follow to keep children safe. Plans are kept up to date, but it is not always clear when they have been reviewed.

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This monitoring visit

Staff communicate daily with education providers, promoting a consistent approach to children’s care. Education is well supported; children’s attendance is high, and any issues are swiftly addressed. One child is being educated in the home with support from residential and school staff. Opportunities for children to learn independence skills are routinely implemented and activities focus on children’s likes and interests.

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This monitoring visit

Behavioural outbursts displayed by children are well managed. Recordings are detailed, but the recording system used in the home does not consistently support clear and concise recordings.

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This monitoring visit

Physical interventions are used by staff as a last resort to keep children safe. When used, they are low level and proportionate. Debriefs take place and there is oversight from the manager. However, delays in the delivery of face-to-face training has resulted in several staff being outside of agreed timescales to complete refresher training that is required for them to safely undertake their role.

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This monitoring visit

The home is managed by an experienced registered manager who has strong oversight of the home. She is well supported by a management team and together they provide clear leadership and guidance. Any practice issues are quickly identified and thoroughly addressed.

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This monitoring visit

The home has a stable and consistent core team, which is supported by flexible support workers and other staff who know the children from within the organisation. Any agency staff who join the home start on a temporary basis to maintain consistency for children. At the time of the visit, the home’s statement of purpose did not include all staff working in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements made at the last inspection in relation to leadership and management, care planning and behaviour management have been met. The recommendation made at the last inspection has not been met and, due to shortfalls relating to the completion of training, a requirement has been raised. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC467796 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/10/2019 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Outstanding 11/10/2017 Full Good 22/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC467796 4

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(c)) This relates to staff having access to relevant training, including support for children who may have an autism spectrum disorder, and completing physical intervention refresher training within recognised timescales. 30 April 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that risk management plans are 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 home’s statement of purpose reflects the experience and qualifications of all staff working in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.10)  The registered person should ensure that 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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC467796 5

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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: SC467796 6 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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