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

Unique reference number SC033628 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/06/2010 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 children's home is based in a purpose built unit accessed by an unmade road, close to a town centre, within easy reach of community facilities. The unit provides four overnight places for short breaks, care and also day and teatime sessions. All the children have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities and/or complex health needs.

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Brief description of the service

The building is single storey. Accommodation is provided in four single bedrooms, which have overhead hoists and other specialist equipment. There is also a lounge area with TV and audio equipment and a dining area near to a small domestic style kitchen. There is a well-equipped multi-sensory room located near to the dining area. Bathrooms and toilets are located near to children's bedrooms and are suitably equipped.

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Brief description of the service

There is an extensive outside area surrounded by a perimeter fence. This area is divided into a playground area with play equipment, a safe play surface, a fenced area that has some play equipment, seating and a grassed area. The play area has grassed shaded areas during the summer months and a track where young people can use wheeled vehicles or wheelchairs. There is also an eco-pod erected outside providing quiet 'inside outside' space. A recent addition to the home are chickens and in the warmer weather, guinea pigs and rabbits.

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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 recommendation made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are kept safe.

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Summary

This continues to be a well run home with a well established competent staff team who offer an invaluable service to 22 families in the city. There are good individual behaviour management plans that are drawn up and regularly reviewed to ensure that children and young people are cared for in a consistent manner.

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Summary

There were no recommendations or requirements made at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has addressed the recommendation made at the last inspection; the home follows the authority's policy when checking hot water temperatures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Many of the children and young people who attend this service require help with personal care. This is undertaken sensitively, ensuring the dignity of the child or young person is preserved inline with the intimate care policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no complaints recorded since the last inspection, however staff listen to young people to ensure that they are happy coming to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no safeguarding issues at the home, staff are vigilant in matching the groups of young people to ensure that vulnerable children and young people are not at risk from the more boisterous children and young people who attend. Staff are currently going through the guidance on safeguarding disabled children at team meetings to raise their awareness. Staff have annual safeguarding training to ensure that they keep updated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is a standing item at staff meetings to ensure that behaviours and relationships between young people are monitored, ensuring that their behaviour does not compromise the welfare of others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the young people leave the home without supervision. There is a policy in place to advise staff what action they should take in the event of a child or young person going missing whilst out on an activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each child or young person has a behaviour management plan identifying anticipated behaviours, with strategies in place to manage these behaviours. Each child or young person is discussed at the weekly team meetings and these behaviour management plans are reviewed and agreed by the team. These plans are in good detail and give good guidance to ensure a consistent approach is maintained. A number of restraints are recorded; these are appropriate and generally used to prevent behaviour escalating or keeping young people safe. Sanctions are not used in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are undertaken for each child or young person, the premises and activities, identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise this risk. Fire records are in good order, fire assimilations are undertaken to ensure all staff, including night staff, know what action to take in the event of a fire. Staff undertake a number of weekly health and safety checks on equipment and areas that may pose a risk, for example; a visual wire check, ensuring the tumble drier is de-fluffed and ensuring the boiler room does not contain any items that may pose a risk. The gas installation, electrical items and water are checked as appropriate and any identified issues are reported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a policy to ensure staff check the identity of visitors and to remind them not to give out security codes to ensure that only suitable people have access to the children and young people.

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