Children's home run by Birtenshaw in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 1 SC483533 Registered provider: Birtenshaw Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may have learning disabilities or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2019. The manager was not present during the inspection due to planned leave.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2023 Full good 20/07/2021 Full good 11/03/2020 Interim improved effectiveness 10/04/2019 Full requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, two children and one young person were living at the home. The young person has lived at the home for a considerable time. Allowing them to live at the home after turning 18 has ensured that they can continue to access their education provision. The young person, their family and relevant professionals are contributing to the preparations for the young person to move to their next home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children thrive in all areas of their life because of the care they receive. Staff know the children well and work hard to build trusting relationships with them. These relationships provide a solid foundation for children to flourish. Staff use children’s preferred method of communication. Children’s views are sought and acted on quickly. This supports children to contribute to decisions made about their care. Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences. This supports them to develop their confidence and pursue their own interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the individual health needs of the children well. They support children to attend health appointments and work with health professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are met. The manager has effective oversight of the administration of medication. Staff support children to develop life skills in line with their level of ability. For example, one child has learned to wash and dress independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children access full-time education and are making progress. Staff communicate effectively with children’s schools. For example, children’s targets each month are planned with education staff. This supports children to receive consistency in care across different settings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s memories are captured and shared with families. Staff nurture relationships between children and their families. For example, when children spend time with their families, staff ensure that family members have access to the children’s preferred communication aids. This helps children to maintain important relationships and develops children’s support networks for the future. One mother said that, since living in the home, her child had made exceptional progress, adding, ‘I can see a future now for [name of child] and it is positive.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children live in a home which is physically safe and secure. The home is spacious and welcoming. Photos of the children add to the homely environment. The garden has been redeveloped to be an accessible and sensory space. Staff support children to understand dangers around the home, in line with their individual abilities and using their preferred communication methods. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 4 Children’s known risks reduce because of the care they receive. Children’s plans identify their known risks and provide staff with clarity on the steps to take to keep children safe. Children are supported to manage their feelings safely.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers evaluate children’s plans and incidents, and help staff reflect on their action and consider how best to support the children. This supports staff development. Staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are encouraged to take manageable risks in line with their level of ability. For example, one child goes swimming with staff. This develops children’s confidence.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are trained to hold children safely. Physical intervention is used only as a last resort to keep children safe. The manager ensures that incident records are detailed, and that the views of the child and staff are understood after each incident. This ensures that intervention practice remains safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is available in the home and leads by example. She understands the individual needs of the children and the impact the care provided has on the child’s outcomes. She has effective monitoring systems in place and takes decisive action to address shortfalls in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the support they receive from the management team. They feel proud to work in the home. Staff have team meetings which provide opportunities for learning and reflection. Staff training ensures that staff have the skills and knowledge to meet children’s needs. Staff have regular supervision. However, supervision records vary in quality, and some do not provide an accurate account of what was discussed. This does not support staff to learn and develop.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has built effective working relationships with external professionals. This creates a team around the child approach. Feedback from external professionals is extremely positive. One teacher said that the information provided by staff equips them to prepare resources and strategies to meet one child’s needs in school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff are strong advocates for children. The manager has used appropriate escalation when children’s needs are not met. For example, one child eats a restricted diet and the manager challenged their school for not providing the child’s preferred food. As a result, the child is now able to eat their preferred food in school. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that recording of staff supervision is accurate and of consistently high quality. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 6

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Sally Griffiths, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC483533 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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