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

Unique reference number SC065552 Inspection date 10/11/2010 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 28/01/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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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 is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against national minimum standards under all Every Child Matters outcomes.

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Summary

The home continues to strongly promote the health and well-being of young people. The safety of young people is paramount and appropriate action is taken to ensure that young people are looked after safely. There are good arrangements in place to protect the privacy and dignity of young people. The staff understand issues of confidentiality and are confident about managing safeguarding matters. The home is successful in encouraging the young people to participate in their education and to contribute their views to the general running of the home. The management team provide strong leadership, which enables staff to provide the young people with positive experiences of care.

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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 young people are provided with healthy and nutritious meals. They can participate in the weekly the shopping and can make drinks and snacks as and when they want. Through discussion in young people's meeting, they are able to make suggestions for changes to the menu and to discuss healthy eating. The home 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 meal times. Young people's health care needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

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, including direct work with young people. Each young person has a health care plan which identifies ongoing health needs. Keyworker sessions provide opportunities for staff to raise health issues on an individual basis. The staff have regular discussion with the young people concerning topics, such as sexual health, and the use of drugs and alcohol. 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. None of the young people currently require prescription medication. Staff receive an appropriate level of training to ensure that they can handle medication safely. The medication systems in place ensure that young people's well-being is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and dignity are 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. Personal information about the young people is protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people have clear information about raising their concerns or making a complaint. The staff are trained in child protection and safeguarding and are confident about reporting any issues that arise. Records indicate that staff have responded appropriately and promptly to safeguarding concerns to ensure that the safety of young people is promoted. The home strongly encourages 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. Keyworker 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

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 keyworkers, 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. There is also a behaviour management plan in place for each young person which specifies the way in which staff should respond to particular behaviour. The comprehensive records for each young person assist staff in ensuring that young people's needs are met.

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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 experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. The home actively supports young people in managing difficult emotions that may arise as a result of contact.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people move from the home in a planned way. This is agreed through review meetings. The staff are sensitive to the potential for distress caused by the transition from the home and encourage and support young people in a positive and constructive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The young people 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 show mature discussion about a wide range of topics concerning the home. Young people's opinions and contributions to the way in which the house is run are highly valued.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The premises are well maintained and in good decorative order throughout. Communal rooms are spacious and comfortable and the main lounge provides a homely environment with pictures, ornaments and books. The kitchen in good working order and clean. Young people's bedrooms have been personalised and reflect the individuality of each young person. The outside of the home has been revamped to include a large, enclosed play area. Young people benefit from living in a home which is well maintained and attractive.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

As a result of their age, pathway plans have not yet been prepared for each young person.

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Organisation

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. 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 identify 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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