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

Unique reference number SC061005 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 11/06/2010 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 is a purpose-built children's home situated in a residential area in a small town on the outskirts of a city. There is ramped access to the front door. It is owned by a local authority and provides accommodation for up to eight young people of either gender within the age range of 12 to 16 years. It has gardens to three sides and parking to the front.

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Brief description of the service

The young people are accommodated in single bedrooms and have the opportunity to use a range of recreation and sitting areas. Facilities for cooking, bathing, laundry and storage are provided. The aim of the home is to work with and support young people who may have had troubled experiences, which may include some form of abuse and who may have had previous placement breakdowns. The home has recently changed from being a short-term facility to a long-term unit. The home has waking night staff.

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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 unannounced interim inspection was to check on the progress of the requirements and recommendations made at the last full inspection and to ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good standard of care to the young people. Young people speak positively about the support and guidance they receive from the staff who are well experienced and clearly committed to the young people they care for.

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Summary

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The actions and recommendations made at the last inspection relate mainly to a young person who no longer resides at the home. Therefore most of the these requirements and recommendations are no longer relevant.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home ensures the welfare of all the young people is promoted; appropriate care and education is provided; risk assessments are in place identifying risks with strategies in place to minimise this risk; staff work with young people to promote their self help skills. The home is fully staffed ensuring there are enough staff on duty. All staff have attended or are due to attend medication training and medication is administered as prescribed.

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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. Each young person holds their key to their own bedroom. The home provides a top up for their mobile phones to ensure that young people are contactable. Young people may also make phone calls using the home's hands free phone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of how to make a complaint and consider staff listen to them. An individual from a children's rights organisation is a regular visitor to the home. Parents who make representation are dealt with sensitively to their satisfaction.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Some young people access the services of an organisation that works with young people who have been involved in sexual exploitation; although there are no young people who are putting themselves at risk at this time. This organisation runs a six week course with young people to raise their awareness. The sexual health coordinator also discusses with young people about keeping themselves safe. The staff are vigilant about supervising young people when they access the internet and social networking sites are monitored to ensure that young people are not in contact with unsuitable people. All staff have had safeguarding training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a member of staff who is the anti-bullying champion and this individual cascades training to the staff team. Young people confirm that they feel safe in the home. Staff also ensure young people are aware of cyber bullying ensuring that they are safe whilst using the internet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the young people have a propensity to go missing. Staff are aware of the whereabouts of individuals and are able to contact them by phone if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This is a settled group of young people and the number of sanctions has greatly reduced over recent months. Those sanctions that have been metered out are monitored and discussed at staff meetings to ensure a consistent approach. One restraint has been recorded, this was appropriate to prevent a violent outburst escalating. Young people are encouraged to make comment following a disciplinary measure. Behaviour management plans are in place identifying anticipated behaviours with guidance to staff in how to manage these behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place for each young person, the premises and activities. These identify the risk with strategies in place to minimise this risk. Fire records are in good order with fire drills held at night to ensure night staff know what action to take in the event of a fire occurring at this time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The identity of visitors to the home is checked to ensure only appropriate people have access to the young people.

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