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

Unique reference number SC033492 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/11/2011 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 local authority children's home accommodates 12 children aged from four to 10 years of age with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates two distinct groups of children. There are separate entrances provided for each of the two groups which are split based on their needs and care plans. The main unit accommodates eight children admitted to the home where their needs are assessed and an intensive package of support is undertaken preparing them to be able to move towards a permanent placement. The other unit accommodates up to four children who move from the main unit and have reached a point where alternative placements are being sought.

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Progress

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

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Progress

This home was judged to be outstanding at the inspection carried out in November 2011. Children continue to benefit from the care they receive from a highly skilled and committed staff team who provide a nurturing environment where children thrive.

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Progress

The home continues to develop exciting new initiatives which promote positive outcomes for children. They have developed a 'team around the child' planning tool. This involves all professionals working with the child, for example, social worker, child and adolescent mental health service, education and looked after children's nurse and the home meet regularly and come to a consensus regarding the child's plan. The children's needs, wishes and feelings are central to this approach and, by having all professionals working together the plan can to be realised for improved outcomes for children.

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Progress

A new venture for the home is for them to work with prospective adopters. The home accommodates some extremely vulnerable children, who have had a number of foster placement breakdowns. Such is the homes success; they have prepared some children to move to permanent families. This has had a remarkable impact on the outcome for these children.

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Progress

Other initiatives are working with the fostering and adoption team where children's siblings have been placed for adoption. The staff have been very sensitive to the trauma this causes some children and have been proactive in ensuring children are involved in this process. This has included children meeting with prospective adopters to share experiences of their siblings. These children say how wonderful it was to meet their brother's and sister's new family and they were able to tell new parents what they like and how they need to be cared for. The children benefit enormously from the partnership working with schools; particularly where some children are struggling in education.

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Progress

There were no requirements or recommendation made at this or the last inspection.

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