An abandoned centre for people with autism is set to be reopened again as a school under new management.
The Breightmet Autism Centre, on Milnthorpe Road was ordered to close in June last year after inspectors discovered a catalogue of failings.
But now a new, and highly rated organisation, is set to open a specialist school for more than 100 youngsters with autism and associated conditions at the site this autumn.
Cllr Sean Fielding, of Breightmet, said: “Ever since the autism centre closed rumours had been circulating that the building was going to become accommodation for asylum seekers.
“Understandably these had caused some anxiety locally, but I have been checking regularly with the council to see if any applications for permission for this use had been submitted and they had not.”
He added: “Confirmation that the building will reopen as an autism centre, run by Birchwood Children' Services, has put these irresponsible rumours to bed.
“Birchwood's other specialist school is rated Good by Ofsted and so they are a reputable provider of these types of services.
“I look forward to them opening in Breightmet in September.”
The previous centre, run by ASC Healthcare, had been placed in special measures after twice being branded “inadequate” by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2022.
The watchdog was already in the process of cancelling ASC Healthcare’s registration to run the centre when a further inspection followed In March last year.
This time, the inspectors discovered issues including an alleged assault on a patient by a worker while eight others watched.
They also came across cases where a patient was restrained 38 times in a period of 18 days and another when a patient was restrained for throwing a cereal bowl in the air.
Inspectors found that though the ASC run centre had enough workers, they were not of the appropriate skill or training, and some were seen to be asleep on shift on CCTV.
After this final inspection, the CQC speeded up its de-registration process, and ordered the centre to stop admitting people and to send all its residents to alternative placements.
The centre then closed, and ASC Healthcare applied to Companies House to be struck off the on June 6.
But hopes are now much higher for the new Birchwood Children’s Services run centre, which will provide spaces for more than 100 young people from the ages of five to 18.
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A statement by Birchwood Children's Services said: "Our goal is to help each child find their voice, develop their own talents and be confident.
"We ensure that the curriculum is both knowledge rich and skills based.
"It has been designed to create awe and wonder, through a mix of learning experiences, creative approaches, and essential skills.
Communication and engagement skills are essential and form the basis of all the learning we provide."
The new school is expected to start its first autumn term in September this year.
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