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

Unique reference number SC063978 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 22/06/2010 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 home provides care and accommodation for eight young people of either sex between the ages of 14 and 17 years who may be experiencing a range of social, emotional and behavioural problems. The home offers a supportive living environment to young people on a medium- to long-term basis. The home prepares young people to live independently.

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Brief description of the service

This is a purpose-built home situated in a residential area, in a village on the outskirts of a city. The home is convenient for public transport and other local amenities. It is surrounded by large gardens on all sides with a safe parking area at the front. On the first floor it has eight bedrooms, two bathrooms and two separate lavatories. Downstairs there is a communal living space, dining area, lounge and 'chill out' room, a young person's payphone room and kitchen. On the ground floor there is also a lavatory suitable for people with mobility difficulties, two offices, a staff meeting room and laundry facilities for young people. There is a lift installed.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The purpose of this inspection was to check on the progress of the requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

The group of young people residing at the home has completely changed which has affected the dynamics of the home; however the home continues to provide good care for the young people.

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Summary

Although there are sufficient staff to look after the young people, there are insufficient waking night staff employed necessitating staff to undertake sleep-in duties. The home does not have a designated sleeping-in room and staff have been sleeping on cushions on the floor of the meeting room. This is unsatisfactory. However, during the inspection the Registered Manager has gained approval to have one of the bedrooms converted to a staff sleeping-in room. A requirement has been made to ensure that this is done. The outcome of some complaints has not been recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has addressed the requirement and most of the recommendations made at the last inspection. There are sufficient number of suitably qualified staff employed ensuring that the night rota is covered. Although all complaints are recorded the outcome of some complaints is not always recorded. Risk assessments are in place identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise the risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's files are kept securely to ensure confidentiality. Complaints are handled appropriately; although complainants are informed of the outcome of the complaint this is not recorded in all cases. Young people confirm that they know how to make a complaint and are confident that they would be listened to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of safeguarding issues and work with the young people to raise their awareness about keeping themselves safe. Some young people's behaviour causes concern and the home is accessing the services of other agencies to support young people, for example, the community police officers and sexual health co-ordinators.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people confirm that they feel safe in the home; any issues of bullying is quickly addressed by staff. The home has an anti-bullying champion and it is planned to deliver joint training with the staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are individual protocols in place that ensure staff take appropriate action when a young person fails to return to the home when expected. There are good links with the police missing persons co-ordinator who speaks to the young people when they return to the home after they have been missing. The community police officer also assist in locating the whereabouts of some individuals and check known addresses to ensure that young people are not with inappropriate people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good behaviour management plans in place identifying young people's anticipated behaviours with strategies in place to manage these behaviours. This ensures a consistent approach. A number of sanctions and restraints are recorded, which are appropriate; these records are closely monitored by the Registered Manager and the Regulation 33 visitor. Incidents are also discussed at team meetings to see if they could be better managed. This is good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place identifying risks with strategies in place to minimise this risk. These are reviewed after any incident to ensure that they are effective. Fire records are in good order with fire drills held at night to ensure all staff know what action to take in the event of a fire. There has recently been a fire at the home, this was dealt with as per procedure and the home evacuated safely. The identity of visitors to the home is checked to ensure only suitable people have access to the young people.

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Statutory Requirements

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

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Std. Action Due date

24 provide appropriate sleeping accommodation for staff sleeping in the home. (Regulation 31 (10)(b)) 24/01/2011

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure a written record is maintained of the outcome of the complaint. (NMS 16.3)

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