Barton Moss Secure Care Centre

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 1 Barton Moss Secure Care Centre Salford City Council Barton Moss Road, Eccles, Manchester M30 7RL

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This secure children’s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home can care for up to 27 children aged between 10 and 18 years. All places available at the home are commissioned on a contractual basis by the Youth Custody Service. The admission of any child aged under 13 years under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this secure children’s home

There are 24 children living in the home.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site, in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

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Information about this secure children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 2 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance visit 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children speak positively about their care and say that they feel listened to. They confidently share their views about how the home could improve and feel comfortable discussing these ideas with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have recently made changes to children’s records. These updates support a better oversight of children’s progress and help to identify areas where they may be struggling. As a result, targeted plans are put in place to support children’s continued development across all areas of their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager makes effective use of the independent person’s recommendations to support ongoing development in the home. For example, the independent person now visits the home twice a month and focuses on specific areas as per the manager’s request, such as reporting and recording. The manager responds promptly to suggestions, which helps to improve efficiency across the home and within the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical restraint is used appropriately and proportionately. Staff manage these incidents well. As a result, altercations between children are brief and children are kept increasingly safe.

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Findings from the inspection

On some occasions when children were placed in single separation following serious incidents (locked into a room on their own due to serious risk to self or others), it is not clear whether the legal criteria had continued to be met throughout the incident. Although managers were able to explain why the criteria continued to be met, this was not recorded in the documentation.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff speak with pride and enjoy working at the home. They have confidence in the manager and recognise how the team continues to progress under her leadership. Staff commented on the support and development from managers and that they feel listened to.

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Findings from the inspection

Professionals and children’s family members spoke highly of staff and management, and about their commitment to their roles. They raised no concerns about children’s quality of care and recognised that staff help to keep children safe. One parent said, ‘I can’t thank the staff enough for what they have done for my son.’

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Findings from the inspection

The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been reviewed, progress has been made in relation to reporting and recording however, further work is needed around children’s records being child friendly, and the recommendation will remain. Recommendations from health and education were not reviewed during this visit to the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Good 06/02/2024 Full Good 13/12/2022 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children are placed in single separation that a record should be made. Specifically, the record should state whether the legal criteria is or is not met throughout the incident until it ends. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 50, paragraph 9.65)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children subject to restraint procedures are seen as soon as possible by health care professionals and in line with the timescales identified by the secure setting’s procedures. (Health care standards for children and young people in secure settings 2023; paragraph 6.7.3, page 40)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff administer medications in line with the approved protocol. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the feedback that children receive in English and mathematics is clear so that children know what they have done well and what they need to do to improve the quality of their work. Furthermore, managers should ensure that mathematics teachers plan learning, so it is based on individual children’s starting points, so they make the progress of which they are capable. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 26, paragraph 5.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that learning support in lessons meets the needs of learners who need extra help. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations including, the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.13)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s records are written in a way that is helpful for them and non-blaming. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 6

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Salford City Council

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Manchester M27 5DA

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC040500 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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