A CHILDREN'S home in Bolton has been praised for providing vulnerable young people with outstanding care and support.

Ofsted inspected the home for looked after children, some of who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties, and/or mild to moderate learning disabilities, and gave all areas of it the top rating outstanding.

Inspectors reported: "Despite some complex histories, school, college and work place attendance is excellent and attitudes and behaviours have significantly improved.

"Consequently they are making outstanding progress from their individual starting points.

"In fact, one young person has been on two trips with school in recognition of her outstanding behaviour."

One teenager is looking at staying at the home until he finishes his college education so he can "realise his dream to go to university".

And another young person commented to inspectors: "When I came here I was really naughty and now I am really good and I would not be if the staff had not helped me."

One teenager said: “The staff are lovely and have helped me to understand why I cannot live with my family and help me to feel good about myself.”

The home, which cannot be named to protect the children there, has been open since 2008 and is said to be “exceptionally and well managed by a highly efficient, child focused and passionate individual”.

Inspectors added that it was a place where children feel safe even after a “particularly complex past”.

Ofsted said: “Young people are extremely happy and settled at this home and feel very safe and secure.

“They benefit from highly personalised and exceptionally well planned care from a very committed and competent staff team.

“Excellent relationships have been firmly established and maintained with the young people based on mutual trust and openness.

“Consequently, young people are making exceptional progress from their individual starting point in all aspects of their development."