Children's Home run by Benthom Care Limited in Bolton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 1 Registered provider: Benthom Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. The inspector spoke with both children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 26 July 2024 and is suitably experienced.

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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

Date of last inspection: 4 February 2025

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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: 2787988 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved into the home, and 2 have moved on. Moves into and out of the home are mostly managed in a positive and planned manner. When moves have been unplanned, the manager has escalated concerns to partner agencies, reflected on the circumstances, and sourced training on stability planning to strengthen practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff have positive relationships. Children say they are happy and well cared for. One child said, ‘It’s the best home. It’s like a family.’ Another child explained that when they were unwell, staff stayed with them and checked on their wellbeing. Professionals and family members gave positive feedback about the quality of care for children and the support they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive behaviour and active engagement in education are consistently promoted. Children understand their personal goals, and individual incentive plans play a central role in helping them to achieve them. The plans have had a demonstrable impact on children’s progress, helping them experience genuine moments of success. For example, some children have earned rewards such as a gymnastics bar or the opportunity to improve an e-bike as a direct result of their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to raise complaints, and their complaints are taken seriously. Managers and staff respond positively to concerns raised by children, and the manager views complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve. When a complaint is raised, the child’s voice is heard. They receive a thorough response that addresses their concerns and helps them feel heard, respected and supported throughout the process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children in pursuing their individual interests and passions. One child has been encouraged to explore future training opportunities linked to their aspirations, while another has been encouraged to participate in after-school clubs that promote their interest in gymnastics and dance. Achievements are celebrated, and children and staff enjoy these moments together, including one child securing a role in a musical.

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

Children say that staff help them stay safe. When incidents occur, staff respond promptly to safeguard children. Following any incidents, the manager promotes reflective practice to consider support strategies and areas for improvement. This has led to changes, including revised bedtime support, adaptations to family time arrangements, and the use of a new mobile phone app. Social workers have agreed to these changes, which have positively impacted children’s safety.

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

When children go missing from home, staff engage in meaningful reflection and learning to help prevent further incidents. They speak confidently about the missing-from-home Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 4 procedures, and debriefs are used effectively to strengthen practice and improve safeguarding responses. However, when a child went missing from care, return home interviews were not recorded, and key information that could help understand the reasons behind missing-from-home episodes was not actively sought. This represents a missed opportunity to enhance safeguarding practice. A requirement has therefore been raised to ensure that this gap is addressed.

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

Allegations made by children are taken seriously. The manager acts quickly to ensure that children are safe. The manager has worked closely with appropriate safeguarding partners during investigations. However, there have been two occasions when allegations have not been reported to the regulator, and a requirement has been raised to address this issue. This did not affect children’s safety.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour. They implement clear boundaries, routines and structure, which helps children feel safe. Professionals report that children make progress because of the boundaries, consistency and strong relationships. One parent echoed this view, acknowledging that the staff consistently prioritise their child’s best interests.

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

When physical interventions are used, they are proportionate and necessary to keep children and others safe. Debriefs focus on learning and reflection to review the support in place and update risk management plans.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Risk assessments provide clear guidance for staff, promoting consistent practice that helps to reduce risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high aspirations for the children and her staff. Professionals and staff speak positively about the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported, and they report an open-door culture that gives them and children a voice. One member of staff said, ‘This encourages a pleasant vibe in the home.’ The manager’s efforts to bring the team of staff together have improved morale in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has shown professional curiosity and due diligence in her oversight before allowing a new child to live at the home. The needs of both children have been carefully considered. As a result, both children are happy living together and have shown care and consideration for one another.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel heard and supported. They receive regular supervision and appraisals that consider their wellbeing and offer opportunities to reflect on and learn from practice. The manager provides effective oversight and appropriate challenge to support ongoing improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 5 Staff receive training that helps them carry out their roles effectively. Additional training is sourced to understand individual needs and current risks in the wider community. Team meetings are well attended and are used to review what is happening in the home. The children’s needs are discussed, which staff feel supports consistency in their approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 6

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Statutory requirements

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

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with a return home interview and information is appropriately requested. 1 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all allegations against a person working in the home are reported to Ofsted. 1 May 2026

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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: 2787988 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Benthom Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 35 Blacklow Brow, Liverpool L36 5XE

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Inspector

Julia Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787988 8 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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