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

SC033492 Unique reference number 1 July 2009 Inspection date David Martin Inspector Key Type of 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: SC033492

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Brief description of the service

This home is situated in a small rural housing estate. It backs onto fields to the rear and has a garden, which has a green house and seating areas. The home is close to a number of schools and other appropriate health and leisure facilities.

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Brief description of the service

The building is on two floors and has 12 single bedrooms currently in use for two separately housed groups of young people. There are two separate entrances provided for each of the two groups, nominally split based on need, with one area accommodating four children and the other eight. There are lounges with television, video and music equipment. There are additional communal areas for art and craftwork.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection undertaken to assess the home's performance in all key outcome areas.

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Summary

The home continues to provide good quality care and support for young people. Its approach to anti-bullying is very strong and there are there are excellent arrangements in place to ensure that young people can share their views. The home values education highly and is successful in promoting a variety of learning experiences. 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 recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The young people benefit from the provision of well balanced, nutritious meals. They are able to make their own choices at the weekend and, depending on age and ability, are involved in clearing away after meals. Meals are considered an important social occasion and a good time to discuss what is going on in the home. Religious dietary needs are well catered for.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health care needs of young people are met well. All young people are registered to ensure that their primary health care needs are met and all receive an annual medical. The home has an excellent partnership with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and has developed individual assessments for each of the young people. A representative from CAMHS attends the staff meeting every fortnight to provide support and guidance.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good arrangements in place to ensure that medicines are stored and administered safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033492 Young people's privacy is respected. They have their own bedrooms and toilets and bathrooms are lockable. All records are maintained securely and staff understand the policies concerning confidentiality and data protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are given information about how to complain. The staff positively promote an anti-bullying culture within the home. This has involved the young people in a very good anti-bullying project. There have been no recent child protection issues concerning the young people. Staff, including ancillary staff, have completed safeguarding training. They are confident about reporting child protection matters. The young people have also worked on ways in which they can keep themselves safe and they are protected from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has low use of sanctions. There are a small number of incidents of physical intervention to manage inappropriate behaviour. Minimal holds are used and are of relatively short duration. All staff have completed training in this regard. The home has developed positive handling plans for each young person, which ensures that staff response to certain behaviours is constructive and consistent. The young people benefit from the home's positive approach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained. There are appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work in the home and that visitors are supervised. These measures contribute to the overall safety of young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. There are detailed case records for each young person. They demonstrate an individual approach to the care and support that young people need and are maintained in good order. There is an effective key worker system in place, which ensures good communication between the home and schools, parents and social workers. Overall, care and support is well-planned and young people benefit from this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home values education highly and has a number of schemes in place to ensure that young people are provided with positive learning experiences outside of school time. It has very successful partnerships with the schools and this is borne out by high levels of school attendance. The home has arranged additional tuition, has a positive approach to homework and successfully implemented a reading scheme. The home is able to nurture the talents and interests of individual young people and they are involved in a wide range of community activities. There is an excellent gardening project. These measures ensure that young people have a positive outlook on learning and are engaged in the constructive use of leisure time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Case records are well maintained and show that care and support is provided in a planned way. Young people are encouraged to attend their review meetings and are able to give their opinions about their future. This ensures that young people are involved in the decision-making processes concerning them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The young people are enabled to have their say in an age appropriate way. They spend individual time with staff before they go to bed when they can share their ideas or worries. In addition, the staff are able to use mealtimes as an important point in the day when the young people 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033492 can contribute their ideas to the way in which the unit is run. The 'bright ideas' box works very well as a means of young people making requests for changes. The manager responds to all suggestions in writing. Together these measures ensure that young people can readily contribute their views.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is maintained in good order and is currently being decorated throughout. Despite its size, the home has a welcoming feel and is comfortably furnished. Young people's bedrooms reflect their individual tastes and interests. There are displays of artwork done by the young people in many of the communal areas of the home. There are no noticeable hazards and the building is maintained safely. The young people enjoy homely accommodation, which is maintained to a good standard.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are admitted to and leave the home in a planned way. The home has designated one part of the building as the 'transitions unit', which is specifically designed to prepare young people to leave the home. The purpose of this unit is set out in the children's guide. Young people are aware that they will move on from the home in a planned way.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff have received appropriate training and work with young people is planned on an individual basis.

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Organisation

The staff team are well qualified and have good access to training to ensure that their practice is up to date. They are well supported by the management team and have regular supervision and annual appraisals. Team meetings are well organised and are clearly focussed on the needs of the young people. The ancillary staff are an important and integral part of the team. The staff are well motivated and committed to providing a high standard of care and support. Overall, these measures make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of the young people.

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Organisation

The home is subject to regular quality assurance monitoring visits. The reports from the visits show that analysis of activity in the home is of a good standard and that areas for improvement are identified. This process ensures that the home is a safe and well-managed environment for young people.

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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: SC033492

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