Children's Home run by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council in Bradford

SC065552 Unique reference number 24 September 2009 Inspection date David Martin Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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7 January 2009 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC065552

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for eight young people of either gender between the ages of eight years and 14 years. The home is a purpose-built property with communal space and offices on the ground floor and bedrooms upstairs.

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Summary

This unannounced inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against all key standards and outcome areas.

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Summary

The home continues to be managed to a good standard. The health and educational needs of the young people are well met and care is planned in a thoughtful way to ensure consistency. The home is safe and secure and young people are encouraged to share their views. Equality and diversity is promoted very well. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or requirements made as a result of the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The young people are provided with healthy, nutritious meals. They are able to help with the shopping and can make drinks and snacks when they want. Through resident meetings they are able to make suggestions for changes to the menu and to discuss healthy eating. The home regularly celebrates different religious festivals which provides opportunities for the young people to sample food from around the world. Young people benefit from the home's positive approach to mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health care needs are well met. They are all registered with primary health care providers and have specialist input as required. The home has a strong partnership with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and receives guidance and support as required and can arrange direct work with young people. Each young person has a health care plan which identifies ongoing health needs and key worker sessions provide opportunities for staff to raise health issues on an individual basis. The staff actively promote healthy life choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medicines are stored securely and there are good systems in place to ensure that they are administered safely. The records are well maintained and provide an accurate account of medication held in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy and dignity is respected. Bedrooms and bathrooms are lockable and there is access to a private telephone. Records are held securely and staff have completed data protection training. The staff have a good understanding of issues of confidentiality which ensures that information about young people is only shared as required. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC065552 The young people have clear information about raising their concerns or making a complaint. The staff are trained in child protection and are confident about reporting any issues that arise. The home strongly promotes an anti-bullying culture and has run a successful project with the young people to raise their awareness of the effects of bullying. When bullying occurs it is managed effectively. These steps help protect young people from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home actively promotes good, socially acceptable behaviour. An effective reward and praise system has been introduced and the use of sanctions has been reduced to almost none. The staff have been trained in using safe methods of physical intervention and techniques for diffusing potential confrontation. Key worker sessions are used to address behavioural issues on an individual basis. The home's approach ensures the young people have opportunities to reflect on the impact of negative behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are maintained in good order throughout. New staff are employed following a robust selection process and thorough vetting. This ensures that staff are suitable to work with young people and contributes to their overall safety and well being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Each young person has an individual development plan which sets out how their needs will be met. The plans are kept up to date by key workers, who also have responsibility for liaising with parents, schools and social workers. The individuality of young people is recognised and care and support is tailored accordingly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home actively promotes the education of young people. The staff support the young people to and from school and make sure they are prepared for the school day. There are personal education plans in place and the staff are proactive in liaising with schools and young people's teachers. Young people are expected to complete homework and have supervised access to the internet when necessary. Young people's educational achievements are recognised and celebrated by the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home encourages young people to be involved in organised activities in the local community such as scouts, boys club and sports. The staff ensure that the young people's leisure time is enjoyable and they are involved in planning after school activities. The young people use their leisure time constructively and have informal and fun opportunities to learn and broaden their experience.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. As noted above, there are comprehensive records for each young person setting out their needs and the support and guidance they require. This ensures that care is given consistently. There are regular reviews of the arrangements, taking into account progress and achievements and planning for the future. Young people are assisted to express their views either in writing or verbally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are appropriate arrangements for young people to maintain contact with family and friends. Young people move on from the home in a planned way. This is agreed through review 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC065552 meetings. The staff are sensitive to the potential for distress caused by transitions and encourage and support young people in a positive and constructive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's opinions are valued. They are consulted on the day to day running of the home and can make contributions to the menu and activities. There are house meetings once a fortnight the minutes of which show mature discussion about a wide range of topics concerning the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is a modern purpose built unit that is in very good decorative order and comfortably furnished. Communal rooms are spacious and each young person has their own bedroom which they have been able to personalise. The young people live in a homely environment which is maintained in good, safe order.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good.

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Organisation

The statement of purpose has been reviewed and is up to date and accurate. It clearly sets out the arrangements for the way in which the home is run. There is a good children's guide to the home which explains what it is like to live in the home. This ensures that young people are aware of the service they can expect from the home.

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Organisation

The home has a competent, experienced staff team. The staff have childcare qualifications and access to ongoing training which ensures that their practice is up to date. They receive monthly supervision and have regular staff meetings. The team is able to reflect on their practice and are always looking to find ways of improving. There are always sufficient staff on duty to ensure that young people have access to support and guidance. The management of the home is open and supportive and provides clear leadership. Shifts are well planned ensuring that young people received the attention and support they need.

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Organisation

The home is subject to regular quality monitoring visits which assess the home's performance and identifies areas for improvement. This ensures that young people continue to receive a good service and live in a home that is safe.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC065552

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