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

Unique reference number SC033492 Inspection date 06/03/2013 Inspector Angela Whiteley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's home accommodates 12 children from 4 to 10 years of age with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Staff use specific therapeutic models and techniques under the direct guidance of child and adolescent mental health service professionals.

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates two distinct groups of children. The initial unit looks after 8 children who are assessed and prepared for a family or alternative permanent placement. The other unit accommodates up to four, usually older children moving on from the initial unit, for whom an alternative placement has been found.

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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 October 2012, the overall judgement was outstanding. Since then, the service has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for children. There were no requirements or recommendations from the last inspection.

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Progress

Children continue to benefit from high standards of care. They live in an extremely well-equipped home. Highly skilled and motivated staff care for them. Staff receive specific training that ensures they have the level of skill required to care for very young children who may display disturbing and challenging behaviours. For example, staff use therapeutic models and techniques for working with young children who display sexually harmful behaviour. This is under the direct guidance of child and adolescent mental health service practitioners (CAMHS). A strong effective working partnership has developed with the local CAMHS team. This ensures staff can provide the level of intensive support that some children require. The staff team provides a warm, nurturing and supportive environment where children achieve exceptional outcomes.

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Progress

Children and parents give very positive feedback about the staff and the home. It is highly regarded by professionals who speak positively about the benefits of effective partnership working, which is a particular strength of the home. Children benefit enormously from the consistent approach to their care. For example, staff support children in school where difficulties have been identified and school staff are welcomed into the home to gain a better understanding of the children’s home routine.

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Progress

The home continues to develop new ways of working, which improve outcomes for children. The staff team work with prospective carers and continue to offer a range of support from different professionals when children move to their permanent placement. The team around the child meeting (TAC) receives the full support of professionals who work effectively together to ensure children’s needs are met. This means children settle into their new placements quickly and experience good outcomes using this model of working.

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Progress

Effective implementation of policies and procedures, alongside the home’s robust risk assessment process ensures children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted. The children have taken part in an independent consultation process, which confirms they know what to do if they are unhappy. It confirms they feel safe and secure in the home and settle quickly into their routines. Children’s views and wishes carry weight and their needs are central to the smooth running of the home. The ‘bright ideas board’ allows children to express their views and make suggestions about things they would like. Many of their ideas are taken up by the Registered Manager, for example the design of the outside play area.

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Progress

Children’s behaviour continues to be modified and improves through consistent messages and role modelling from staff. Relationships between staff and children are strong, especially keyworkers. As a result, incidents requiring sanctions and physical restraint have reduced. Physical intervention records contain all the required information. The service has recently developed an electronic monitoring system, which captures the required data more efficiently. However, children are not recording their views and comments in the sanction record book.

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Progress

The home fulfils its aims and objectives. The Registered Manager is supported by an enthusiastic and committed assistant unit manager. Together they take an organised and proactive approach to managing the home. As a result, the staff have the necessary support to deliver a strong, child-focused service that helps children achieve their potential. Any area of weakness identified is dealt with promptly by the Registered Manager, which ensures the standards within the home continue to improve.

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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 any sanction, disciplinary measure or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home. (NMS 3.18)

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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.

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