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

Unique reference number SC065552 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 10/11/2010 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 random inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against national minimum standards under the staying safe outcome.

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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 effective in promoting socially acceptable behaviour.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and dignity is 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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has an effective complaints system. There have been no complaints in the period since the last inspection. There is a complaints leaflet and information is available to the young people explaining how they can raise their concerns. Information is also pinned to the notice board in the lounge and keyworker sessions are used to remind young people of their rights. The young people have access to an advocacy scheme. The measures in place ensure that young people's views are taken seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no child protection issues in the home in recent months. The staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding matters and have completed appropriate training. They have access to reporting procedures in both hard copy and electronically. There is a strong and effective anti-bullying ethos and the young people have completed an anti-bullying project. This helped them to understand how bullying affects people and acceptable ways of behaving towards each other. The home's approach protects young people from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is effective in promoting socially acceptable behaviour. None of the young people have been reported missing recently. An effective reward and praise system has been introduced and the use of sanctions has been reduced significantly. 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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