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

Unique reference number SC033628 Inspector Michael McCleave MBE Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Registered person address City Hall Centenary Square BRADFORD West Yorkshire BD1 1HY Responsible individual Kathryn Tunstall Registered manager Joanne Slaven Date of last inspection 23/10/2013 2 of 10 Inspection date 16/06/2014

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe outstanding Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

The children who attend this short breaks unit do exceptionally well in all aspects of their social and emotional development. They are cared for by a team of highly committed and enthusiastic staff who constantly aim high for each child. No child is deemed unable to achieve outcomes. Staff are highly motivated in their work at the unit. Parents and other professionals spoke highly of the services.

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Overall effectiveness

Children learn how to enjoy themselves as they acquire new social skills. Their disabilities are not seen as a barrier to achieving. Children become more confident and learn how to interact with their peers and adults. This means that they are more prepared for the future and life in the wider community.

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Overall effectiveness

The unit is a safe place for the children and this is a prime focus for staff. They ensure that children are safeguarded and this is underpinned by the robust recruitment and selection procedures in place. Staff have a clear understanding of each child and areas of risk associated with individual children.

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Overall effectiveness

This is a forwards thinking service that is continually looking at ways to improve service delivery. For example, the extension of support to foster carers in order to prevent breakdown in the placement which has been very effective. As pointed out by a foster carer, 'The staff at the unit has more than once saved this placement 3 of 10 when we were ready for throwing the towel in.'

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Overall effectiveness

The management of the unit is effective and strong leadership is provided by the experienced registered manager. The open culture generated by the manager means that the staff feel trusted and valued in the complex work they undertake on a daily basis with the children. There is an extensive training programme available to staff who are actively encouraged by the manager to continually improve their knowledge and competences.

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Overall effectiveness

A shortfall is identified in respect of monitoring records for accuracy. However, this does not impact directly on the high quality of care to the children. Staff are actively encouraged to share ideas for improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

This is an energetic unit that embraces challenges. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority setting provides six overnight places for short breaks care and also day and tea-time sessions. All the children have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/10/2013 Full outstanding 11/02/2013 Interim good progress 04/12/2012 Full good 08/03/2012 Interim good progress

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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 the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records ke by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies. (NMS 21.2) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children attending this short breaks unit make exceptional progress in their personal, social and educational attainments. They develop a much improved self-confidence as a direct result of their time at the unit. Each child has a set of goals that have been agreed with parents and social workers. These involve bringing about real change to improve the life experiences of the children. For example, children who previously could not tolerate being with other children now happily play alongside with their peers at the unit. Some children have learned how to carry out personal care tasks whilst others have developed significant communication skills using a range of communication tools. This means that children can give their views on the activities they wish to engage in, their choices of meals and who they wish to spend their time with.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children learn how to behave in more socially acceptable ways. For example, eating at the communal table. For some children this has been a remarkable improvement. Children who display hyperactive behaviour learn how to channel their energies through various communication tools and play thereby reducing feelings of frustration at not being understood. Children have learned how to swim as a result of staff taking them to the local swimming pool, an activity some parents were reluctant to undertake themselves. In all instances, the children have made excellent progress in whatever goal that has been set. This promotes their self-confidence and pride in their achievements. A member of staff said, 'We offer the children a golden opportunity to experience life outside of their own home and to learn important social skills.'

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All the children have excellent attendance at school. Staff have built up strong professional relationships with schools. They work in partnership with parents to ensure that the children achieve their milestones within their capabilities. This approach means that the children are fully supported in all areas of their educational progress so as to gain maximum outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The health care needs of the children are fully met during their time at the centre. Although health remains the responsibility of parents, staff ensure that the children enjoy the best health care resources required.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The achievements of the children are recognised by parents and professionals. One parent said, 'The staff have helped my child to become a happier person and the changes in his outlook on life is fantastic,' and 'He looks forward to his stays whereas previously he refused to go out of the house.' Social workers commented positively on the unit saying, 'Children definitely benefit from attending at this unit;' 'It is a superb place for children with learning disabilities because they are treated as children and not because of their disabilities'; and 'He has come on in leaps and 6 of 10 bounds since starting at the unit.'

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Quality of care outstanding

This is a child focussed environment where staff place the happiness of the children as a high priority. They have very clear aspirations for each child and view any barriers to their progress as a challenge to be met. Staff have a detailed understanding of each child's care needs and they have strong sense of direction for their individual progress. There are positive relationships established between the staff, school, social workers, health professionals and carers. Staff demonstrate a positive attitude in their work and have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and staff relate very well to each other and it is evident that strong trusting relationships are in place. This means that any issues or concerns can be quickly identified and acted upon. Staff pride themselves on the lack of complaints made about the unit. Imaginative use is made of pictures and symbols to enable children to make a complaint or express their unhappiness about an issue and this is a good demonstration of equality and diversity.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children are introduced to the unit in a sensitive and carefully coordinated way. This ensures that children, their parents and carers are fully involved in the process of assessment prior to a placement at the unit. This means that all parties place the child at the forefront of the planning process in order to ensure as far as possible that the unit can meet their needs. The pace of the process is determined by the child who remains the prime focus at all times. This is an excellent example of partnership working for the benefit of the children.

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Quality of care outstanding

Care plans and assessed needs for each child clearly set out the goals to be achieved. These are realistic and additionally identify their cultural or religious needs. This again ensures that equality and diversity are respected.

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Quality of care outstanding

The care needs of the children present a wide range of challenges for staff. For example, in communication, behaviour, health, emotional, social and physical mobility. An excellent feature at the unit is the 'can do' attitude of staff in meeting challenges. They are very proactive in assessing situations and coming up with imaginative ideas to enable the children to enjoy their time at the unit. For example, taking children to sports events, visiting famous football stadiums and teaching children in wheelchairs how to use walking equipment thereby enhancing their mobility in the community. This active approach enables the children to enjoy themselves.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are involved in sponsored activities to raise funds in order to provide extra 7 of 10 activities for the children that would normally have been prohibitive due to costs. Staff have taken part in sponsored sky diving and walking the three peaks in the Lake District. Through these activities staff have raised funds that enable the children to go to the theatre, shows on ice, steam train journeys and other visits to places of interest.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff work closely in partnership with other services in order to ensure that children are provided with appropriate support. Through these working relationships staff share appropriate information in order to maximise the effectiveness of the services provided to the children.

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Quality of care outstanding

The high quality of care provided by the staff is reflected in the comments made by parents and carers who said; 'I couldn't continue caring for my child without the support provided by the staff at the unit'; 'They helped my child to become a more confident person who now enjoys mixing with other children'; 'Our foster child receives an outstanding service he just loves his stays at the unit. They have helped enormously in keeping this placement going.'

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Quality of care outstanding

A social worker said, 'This service is the jewel in the crown of all the local authority services for children.' Another wrote to the manager stating, 'I wanted to express my thanks for the fantastic support from the staff.'

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Quality of care outstanding

The building and surrounding grounds provides children with a purpose built environment that enables them to experience a comfortable and enjoyable time at the unit. The bedrooms are modern and appropriately furnished to a high standard ensuring that any specific care needs are met. There is a sensory room where children can relax. The lounge with a television and comfortable seating offers children a place to socialise and meet each other. The garden area is an exciting place enabling children to enjoy a range of play equipment.

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Quality of care outstanding

The staff demonstrate a passionate commitment to the care of the children. They describe the impact value of the unit as; 'Children are offered opportunities to enjoy and have fun and learn about themselves'; 'We work hard to draw out their individual needs and give them the confidence to be like other children;' 'We keep families together'; and 'Every child gets something from coming here.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Children are cared for in a safe environment at the unit. Staff take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously and each child is thoroughly risk assessed to ensure staff can provide the correct oversight. Children have not gone missing from the unit. The risk management of each child is carefully reviewed regularly to ensure that information is up-to-date. All staff are trained in safeguarding. This ensures that they are familiar with procedures and processes. Safeguarding is a standing agenda at all staff meetings. This also ensures that staff are kept informed of issues or concerns at 8 of 10 the unit. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their child protection responsibilities. They base their approach to safeguarding on a clear and intimate understanding of each child's behaviour pattern and likely risks associated with their disabilities.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The behaviour of the children is good. This is due to the positive culture prevailing at the unit. There is an emphasis on respect, and the establishment of good relationships between staff and children. Although staff are trained in physical restraint, this is rarely used. They base their approach to behaviour management on de-escalation of tense situations through calm dialogue with the children. Staff are very clear that restraint is a last resort in order to prevent harm to the children. Any restraint used is generally restricted to gentle arm or hand holds to guide children away from tense situations with other children. The warm trusting interaction between staff and children contributes to a safe environment with low level interventions. Staff maintain a vigilant approach to their oversight and care of the children to ensure they are safe.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The safety and well-being of children is enhanced by the robust recruitment and selection procedures in place. These are coordinated by the manager and deputy. Staff are appointed following a rigorous procedure that includes criminal checks, interview, and a probationary period. The manager and deputy personally carry out telephone checks with referees to ensure the validity of the information. This process is intended to prevent unsuitable adults from working with the children.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

All electrical, gas and domestic appliances have been appropriately checked by contractors. Fire safety checks and full evacuation procedures are completed as required.

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Leadership and management good

The registered manager has been in post at this unit for 11 years. She holds the Certificate in Management Studies (CMS). She is currently undertaking the Diploma at Level 5 in Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services. She provides strong effective leadership and direction for the short breaks unit. She has a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for development. She recognises the need to improve the oversight of the records monitoring systems to ensure efficiency. She regards the passionate and competent staff team as the key asset of the unit. There is an open culture that encourages staff and others to share good practice and to learn from mistakes.

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Leadership and management good

The manager and staff are committed to continuous development in services. For example, the unit now offers foster carers and children extra support to prevent placement breakdowns. This positive response demonstrates a capacity to improve.

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Leadership and management good

The unit operates to the Statement of Purpose and ensures that the children and 9 of 10 their carers are fully supported in line with the aims and objectives of the unit. A child friendly guide to the home has been developed to meet the communication abilities of the children. This is a colourful child friendly document that makes extensive use of photographs and symbols. It is well designed and is a good demonstration of care taken by the management and staff to equality and diversity.

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Leadership and management good

A significant feature is the positive attitude of the staff towards the care of the children. They are enthusiastic advocates for improving the life experiences of the children. This is a team that pride themselves on having a positive approach to their work. The management team provides staff with direct support through formal supervision and day-to-day oversight. Training and development opportunities for staff are available with access to both internal and external training courses. This promotes the knowledge and competences of staff who work in a challenging complex environment. The unit is fully staffed and this ensures that the young people are looked after in a consistent way by staff who are trusted and known to them.

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Leadership and management good

The effectiveness of the unit is appropriately monitored each month by an external visitor. This provides an independent oversight to the operations at the unit. The manager undertakes a full review of the operations every three months in line with regulations. The children's case files provide a clear account of the impact value they gain from their stay. These are overall well maintained however some reports are not signed or dated by the author thereby making these records difficult to authenticate. This is an area that requires greater management oversight although it does not affect the direct care provided to the children.

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Leadership and management good

The building is maintained to a high standard of repair ensuring that the children enjoy their stay in a clean safe environment that promotes their welfare and happiness.

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Leadership and management good

A picture in the unit clearly sums up the welcoming environment with the statement, 'The world is full of friends waiting to be found.' Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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