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

Unique reference number SC033502 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 09/07/2010 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 accommodates up to seven young people aged from 12 to 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The building is detached and set in its own grounds. Accommodation is spread over four floors. The bedrooms and shared bathrooms are on the upper floors. On the ground floor, there is a staff office, kitchen, dining room and lounge. To the rear of the home there is an enclosed garden, which incorporates a five-a-side football pitch and a floodlit games area. The home is located within a short distance of a number of schools and other youth, health and leisure facilities.

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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 promote the well-being of young people. The staff understand issues of confidentiality and are confident about managing safeguarding matters. There is an effective complaints system in place. The home is also effective in promoting socially acceptable behaviour. The staff are able to put into practice their skills and knowledge to diffuse potential confrontation. The premises are safely maintained and new staff are only employed following robust vetting. Overall the home provides young people with a safe and secure environment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In the period since the last inspection the home has taken action to follow its water testing policy. This ensures that the risks of young people scalding themselves are reduced. Action has also been taken to provide the young people with greater opportunities to undertake daily living skills. This helps young people make the transition to adulthood.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home promotes the privacy and dignity of young people. All young people are provided with a key to their bedrooms and have access to lockable bathrooms. They are expected to be appropriately dressed when in communal parts of the home. Young people's files are kept securely ensuring confidentiality. All staff have completed mandatory on line data protection training. This ensures that information about young people is protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no formal complaints in the period since the last inspection. The home maintains a 'moans and groans' log where young people can make representation. These are responded to appropriately to the young people's satisfaction. Information is available regarding a children's rights organisation, who may act as an advocate for young people, and organisations where individuals can take complaints further if they are not happy.

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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. The home's approach protects young people from harm. Staff acknowledge that there is some bullying behaviours presented by some individuals. However, the staff are proactive in protecting young people. The home has an anti- bullying champion and the staff have completed training to ensure that they have a good awareness of this issue.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home does not experience a high level of unauthorised absence. None of the young people stay away from the home overnight although there are a few occasions where some individuals fail to return to the home when expected. There are individual protocols in place advising staff what action to take when this occurs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is effective in promoting socially acceptable behaviour. The staff have been trained in using safe methods of physical intervention and techniques for diffusing potential confrontation. They are able to put this into practice to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour. There have been no incidents requiring the use of restraint for almost two years. Sanctions are used effectively. The home's approach ensures the young people have opportunities to learn how to interact with others in a positive way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are maintained in good order throughout. In response to an action made at the last inspection the home has implemented its safe hot water policy. This ensures that the risks of young people scalding themselves are reduced. 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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Achieving economic wellbeing

A number of young people are on a supported independent living scheme and plan a menu, go shopping and prepare their meals within a supported environment. All young people are responsible for their own laundry. Leaving care plans are in place. Where appropriate young people are supported by the leaving care team. Young people are assisted to make the transition to adulthood.

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