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

Unique reference number SC431696 Inspection date 25/07/2012 Inspector Angela Whiteley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's home is registered to provide a short-breaks service for up to 10 children and young people with a learning and/or a physical disability, many of whom have other very complex health needs, including sensory impairment.

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Brief description of the service

The service operates from a building which has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities. Accommodation is on one level with two separate sensory rooms and a hydro-therapy pool. The home is equipped with hoists, adapted bathroom and toilet facilities.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last full inspection in December 2011, the overall judgement was outstanding. This short break service has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. There were no requirements or recommendations from the last inspection.

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Progress

Children and young people receive a high standard of care in an environment that is extremely well equipped, calm and highly supportive. Although the majority of children and young people have no verbal communication, staff are adept at ascertaining their views and wishes. Staff actively encourage a range of communication systems, such as gestures, pictures, objects and electronic message boards, which help children and young people develop consistent and positive relationships with staff that they trust to keep them safe. Additionally, staff use observation skills and their understanding of subtle cues from body language and facial expressions. This ensures that the views of children and young people carry weight and their needs are central to the smooth running of the home There is good feedback from parents who confirm there is an excellent ethos at the home that helps young people enjoy new experiences. Children and young people appear

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Progress

happy, safe and relaxed during their short stays; their parents confirm this.

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Progress

Staff are committed to assist parents and the local authority in planning for young people and liaise well with education and health providers. The home promotes a ‘family environment’ which improves the well-being of children and young people and helps them retain a sense of belonging to more than one ‘home’. The staff team is very experienced, competent and is fully qualified. They receive specific training that ensures they have the level of skill required to care for children and young people who have profound physical, learning disabilities and highly complex health needs.

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Progress

Respite placements are well organised. Compatibility and health needs are key factors when planning admissions. This determines the staffing levels, which are always suitable for the numbers of children and young people who use the service. Staff actively promote and support transition planning to adult services. They support children and young people to develop new skills, at their own pace, through a range of new experiences.

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Progress

All young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve. They benefit from the effective application of policies, procedures, systems and practices, which help staff to safeguard and promote children and young people’s welfare. However, there is no agreed policy in place in respect of the use of electronic monitoring devices, which are regularly in use to ensure children and young people are safe. These measures are not included in individual placement plans or agreed by parents and placing authorities.

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Progress

There are suitable quality assurance systems in place that monitor the operation and management of the home, young people’s welfare and the home’s records. The home continues to develop its service provision to include other young people with complex needs. The manager maintains an enthusiastic commitment to children and young people who use the service, identifying shortfalls and suitable actions taken to address them. This includes sensory rooms that require refurbishment and additional outside play equipment to provide a stimulating environment to young people with more mobility. These effective measures ensure the standards within the home remain high and continue to improve.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the use of any electronic monitoring is provided for in individual placement plans and parents and the placing authority consent to the use of such measures. (Regulation 22 (1)(a-d)) 29/08/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure where electronic devices are used to monitor children, there is a written policy that sets out how they should be used and how they promote the welfare of children. (NMS 10.5)

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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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