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

Unique reference number SC059635 Inspection date 05/03/2014 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight young people who may be experiencing a range of social, emotional and behavioural problems. It is run by a local authority.

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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

This service was judged to be good at the last full inspection in November 2013. Since that time, the home has made good progress.

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Progress

One recommendation was made at the previous inspection. This related to staff recruitment. The recommendation is met. A number of new staff have been recruited to the team. Consequently there are sufficient permanent staff working in the home to ensure that there is continuity and consistency of care for young people.

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Progress

Young people have continued to make good progress in all areas of their lives. They benefit from the positive, nurturing, relationships that they have with staff and they report that they feel they are well cared for. Young people say that they generally get on well with one another. They do not feel that bullying is an issue and they say that staff help them to resolve any difficulties that arise in the group. This helps them to feel safe and settled in the home.

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Progress

Each young person has an education placement that is appropriate to their needs. Since the last inspection some young people have moved into mainstream school placements in line with their plans and their expressed wishes. This is an achievement for young people who had struggled to engage with education. Overall young people's level of attendance at school is very good, with some young people regularly achieving 100%. This maximises their opportunity to achieve. Young people are developing independence skills and all young people who are eligible have a pathway plan in place that identifies their current and on-going support needs. Young people have aspirations for their future and are developing plans for further education, training and employment.

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Progress

Young people have a healthy lifestyle. They all take part in some form of activity that promotes exercise and they generally eat a balanced healthy diet. Most young people do not smoke and young people who were using drugs when they came to live in the home have been supported to stop. This has had a beneficial impact on their general health.

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Progress

All young people have contact with relatives which is positive and benefits them emotionally. Since the last inspection, some young people have re-established links with family members and have benefitted from the contact they have had. Staff have facilitated young people's contact with relatives locally and further afield.

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Progress

The manager and staff regularly seek young people's views about their own care and the general running of the home. Young people have identified things that have changed as a result of this consultation. For example the incentive scheme was altered in response to young people's requests and young people confirm that this is working well.

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Progress

Care staff have maintained high standards of care in the home. They are competent and have an excellent understanding of young people's needs and plans. They engage well with young people, keeping them safe and supporting them to achieve positive outcomes. Relatives and professionals have been consulted about the quality of care in the home and they have given very positive feedback. For example, one relative said 'I have nothing but praise and respect for all the staff'.

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Progress

The home has continued to be managed very effectively. The manager is qualified, very experienced and provides excellent leadership in the home. She regularly monitors young people's progress and the quality of care they are given. She takes action to ensure that any shortfalls are promptly addressed to improve the service that is given to young people. The home's assistant manager is experienced and qualified, and works closely with the manager, contributing to the monitoring process and supporting staff. She ensures that the home runs smoothly in the absence of the manager.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection.

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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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