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

Unique reference number SC065552 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/06/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is run by a local authority and 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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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

At the last full inspection of this setting the judgement for overall effectiveness was good. One requirement was made concerning the use the door locking system. The home was asked to review its use to ensure that young people can exit and enter the building independently. In response the home has overridden the automatic locking mechanism on the back door, allowing children and young people free access to the back garden and outdoor play areas.

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Progress

Since the last inspection there has been a marked rise in the use of physical intervention to manage difficult and aggressive behaviour. The incidents have been of short duration and staff have used techniques requiring the lowest level of intervention to hold children and young people safely. In all cases, physical intervention has been used as a last resort in situations where children and young people have endangered themselves or others or have threatened to cause serious damage to property. There are strong indications that the level of physical intervention has fallen recently. The high levels of aggression and persistent challenging behaviour is a reflection of age of the children and young people and a lack of internal mechanisms to control their anger. The home is monitoring the effectiveness of its approach and has referred children and young people to the child and adolescent mental health service for additional input. This is good practice and

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Progress

ensures that physical intervention is used safely.

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Progress

Children and young people's views on the use of sanctions have been sought at regular intervals. They have contributed their ideas to the limited range of sanctions that can be used. They have also taken into consideration issues of fairness and proportionality. Sanctions are applied effectively and reflect the age and understanding of children and young people. As and when sanctions are implemented they are discussed with children and young people on an individual basis as a matter of good practice. This ensures that children and young people have an opportunity to think more positively about their behaviour.

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Progress

Consultation with children and young people is a strength of the home. There are monthly house meetings which cover a broad range of topics including negative behaviour, bullying, activities and the acquisition of new equipment. The children and young people are actively engaged with online programmes which enable them to share their views prior to review meetings. The programme enables the authority to collate their views anonymously and encourages the home to identify trends and areas for improvement. It is an excellent tool for evaluating the effectiveness of the way in which the home works with children and young people.

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Progress

The home has been subject to a high degree of damage recently. This is most noticeable in some bedrooms where furniture and fittings have been broken by children and young people. The staff are proactive in ensuring that repairs are carried out as promptly as possible. This ensures that within short time limits the premises are restored to good order and remain attractive to children and young people.

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Progress

Overall, the home continues to be well-managed. The children and young people present difficult and challenging behaviour which the staff respond to with a positive and caring approach. Children and young people are actively encouraged to share their views and contribute to the way in which the home is run. No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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