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

Unique reference number SC065552 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 Julie Jenkins Registered manager Belinda Greene Date of last inspection 08/01/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 30/06/2014

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Previous inspection good progress 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 good Leadership and management outstanding

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Overall effectiveness

Young people achieve significant outcomes in their lives as a direct result of care and dedication of staff at this home. They are actively supported by staff to do well and to value their individual abilities. The impact of the home on the young people is extremely positive. They learn how to trust adults, socialise with their peers and to become more confident.

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Overall effectiveness

The relationships between young people and the staff are excellent. There is a friendly atmosphere and young people feel safe living in this home. They know how to make a complaint are confident in staff dealing with any issues or concerns. Young people are encouraged to take an active role in many aspects of the life at the home. Their views are valued by staff.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff work together as a strong team and place young people at the forefront of their work. They have a detailed knowledge of each young person and apply a 'can do' approach to their work on behalf of the young people.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make exceptional progress in their education. They are all attending full time school and this compares significantly to their previous experiences prior to their move to the home. Staff aim high for each young person. They challenge barriers within the educational system to ensure that young people are provided 3 of 10 with the full range of educational resources. Staff have built up positive relationships with schools. This ensures that staff can work in partnership with their educational colleagues to support the young people. All the young people are achieving their education milestones in line with their abilities.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is a safe environment for the young people. All staff are appropriately checked to ensure that they are suitable to work with young people.

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Overall effectiveness

Records are overall well maintained and these give a detailed account of the young people and their progress. One recommendation is made relating to the completion of restraint records. The individual development plans for young people are clear and these identify the targets for each young person on their journey through the care system.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is led by a strong and enthusiastic manager who is supported by an experienced committed staff team. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 8 young people of either gender between the ages of 8 years and 14 years. The home provides support for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/01/2014 Interim good progress 26/07/2013 Full outstanding 18/02/2013 Interim good progress 21/11/2012 Full outstanding

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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 that where there has been physical restraint children are always given opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner and is recorded. (NMS 3.16) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people gain significant outcomes from their time at this children's home. They make exceptional progress in developing their self esteem and confidence. Staff aim high for all young people and do not accept any limitation on their ability to achieve positive outcomes. This builds up their trust and confidence. Staff provide young people with a supportive and nurturing environment. One member of staff said, 'We refuse to accept I can't do it' from the young people.'

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people learn how to develop trust in adults. This enables them to relate to staff so they can talk about their past and prepare for the future. Young people gain an understanding of why they came into care so they can move on in their lives. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the excellent progress young people make in becoming more confident and happier in themselves. A professional therapist described the positive change in one young person from being quiet and fearful of adults to a lively and happy child.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Education is regarded by staff as key to the future success of young people. The manager said, 'We will not accept non-school attendance.' Young people achieve excellent attendance records at school. This compares significantly with their previous experiences where most young people rarely attended school. They understand the importance of a good sound education and all are achieving excellent outcomes in line with their capabilities.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The health of young people is good and they lead healthy lifestyles. This is encouraged through eating well balanced nutritional meals and engaging in physical activities such as biking, rock climbing, camping and swimming. The health of young people was extremely poor before they came to the home. They are registered with the health services to ensure that they receive the appropriate health care as required.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people maintain contact with their families in line with their care plans. These arrangements are supported and supervised by care staff as required. Staff make very good use of new technology to enable young people to maintain contact with families. This promotes the development and maintenance of relationships that are important to some young people. For example, through regular use of email and live viewing contact on computer, one young person built up a positive relationship with relatives who live abroad. This resulted in a permanent move for the young person to live with his relatives.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people learn how to behave appropriately. As a result of the positive care provided they do not engaged in any risk taking or offending behaviour. Staff and police work closely in partnership to support, advise and help young people to learn 6 of 10 how to behave appropriately in the wider community. This improves their chances of a successful transition for a return to their families or to foster care. A social worker said, 'Staff are fantastic in what they have done for my young person.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Relationships between staff and young people are excellent. Staff work proactively to ensure that trust and respect forms the basis of their relations with young people. Key workers are carefully matched with young people thereby enhancing the likelihood of a strong relationship being developed. Young people are actively supported to learn how to improve their self-image and to become confident. Personal qualities that have been damaged due to their poor life experiences improve dramatically as a direct result of the care provided. Staff have high aspirations for young people and act as positive role models to them. This provides young people with the opportunity make a significant improvements in their behaviour and lifestyles. Staff are always exploring imaginative ways to support young people to improve their confidence and self-esteem. For example, young people who came from abusive family backgrounds have benefitted greatly from being involved in

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Quality of care outstanding

animal therapy. This imaginative approach has worked extremely well in developing their self esteem.

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Quality of care outstanding

The views and opinions of young people are valued. They play a significant part in decisions that affect life at the home. For example, young people are involved in the staff selection process and their views are given prominence in the final selection of candidates. The manager will challenge staff to ensure that young people are consulted initially in any discussion that relates to the home or individual young people. This positive approach gives young people an excellent sense of responsibility in key decisions.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people are aware how to express their views if they wish to make complaint. They are confident in their relationships with staff and know that any concerns will be dealt with speedily.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff actively promote the health of young people. This is manifested in the good quality meals aimed at encouraging young people to eat better quality food to improve their overall health. Their physical health is additionally encouraged through the various activities made available to them.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have developed strong relationships with other care services. They work effectively with these professionals to enhance the life chances of each young person. Staff are positively motivated in their belief that all young people can achieve their potential. For example, this is clearly demonstrated in the significant improvements young people make in their educational aspirations. Staff ensure that young people have time each evening to complete school homework. The home 7 of 10 provides young people with an extensive range of books to encourage them to develop their reading abilities. Staff are strong advocates for young people. They support and encourage them to discuss any issues that may be causing them concerns at school.

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Quality of care outstanding

Care plans and assessments underpin the work of staff with young people. These documents give a detailed account of how each young person is progressing. The individual development plan provides a monthly assessment of the work being undertaken with the young people. These are regularly reviewed by the manager. Positive links established with social workers, teachers and health professionals ensure a multi-disciplinary approach is taken to all aspects of care planning. This means that the progress of each young person is carefully monitored and their achievements highlighted.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is a safe and well maintained environment. Walls are adorned with certificates showing the achievements of young people at school. Life story books give a good account of their lives prior to and during their time at the home. A member of staff said, 'We provide the young people with a stable homely place to live, grow and develop as individuals.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy living at this home where they feel safe and well cared for. In commenting about their life at the home one young person said, 'I've never had a holiday till I came here.' Another young person who successfully moved to a foster placement wrote, 'I want to say you are like a family to me. You always made me feel welcome and every time I felt let down you made me think and cheered me up. You were always there for me.'

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Quality of care outstanding

The home encourages young people to take part in numerous age related activities of their choice. Some young people enjoy walks in the countryside, drama group, scouts and other young people take part in more active pursuits such as rock climbing, biking, swimming and sports. This promotes good health through physical activities and enhances their enjoyment of being able to participate in activities they have never previously experienced.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There are appropriate systems in place to ensure the safety of the young people. Staff are trained in safeguarding and they are fully aware of the procedures to follow. The missing person procedures and risk assessments in place guide staff on the actions to follow if a young person was absent without authorisation from the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The behaviour of young people is good and records indicate a reduction in the number of restraints used. This is due to the positive approach of staff and because of the trusting relationships between staff and young people. Staff base their approach to behaviour management on de-escalation of tense situations through 8 of 10 calm discussion with the young people. Staff are very clear that restraint is a last resort. Records of restraints are generally appropriately completed. However, one entry did not record if a young person was asked if they wished to see a medical practitioner following a restraint.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The safety and well-being of young people is enhanced by the recruitment and selection procedures in place. Staff are appointed following a rigorous procedure that includes full criminal background checks, interview and a probationary period. This process is intended to prevent unsuitable adults from working with young people. Staff have a good understanding of their child protection responsibilities. They have been trained in safeguarding and behaviour management. A recent safeguarding incident at the home was managed in line with procedures.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff have established excellent relationships with the local police service who are regular visitors to the home. These positive links provide staff with access to the police for advice and guidance on any issues of concern. Additionally, police officers spend time with young people at the home in order to improve their awareness of how to keep safe in the community. This helps to promote a more positive understanding among the young people of their personal safety.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All electrical, gas and domestic appliances have been appropriately checked by contractors. Fire safety checks and full evacuation procedures are completed as required. These process enhance the safety of the young people and staff.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home has a registered manager who has been in post for 4 years. The manager has the NVQ in Management at Level 4 and is currently completing the Diploma at Level 5.

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Leadership and management outstanding

This is an exceptionally well managed home. The manager is supported by a deputy. Both are enthusiastic and committed to high standards of care and operations at the home. They provide very strong leadership and direction for the staff who are highly motivated. Staff actively support the manager in aiming for excellence in their work on behalf of young people. They do not accept that young people are unable to achieve their potential and pride themselves on being part of a motivated joined up team. Staff are supported through formal supervision and day-to-day oversight by the managers who believe in being visible through having an open door office policy.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Training and development opportunities for staff are available with access to both internal and external training courses. This is an enthusiastic staff team who are actively encouraged by the managers to continually enhance their expertise through ongoing training. This is complemented through in-house training at team meetings where information is shared by staff who have been away on training events. This promotes the knowledge and competences of staff who work in a challenging 9 of 10 complex environment. Young people in turn benefit from being cared for by a suitably qualified and experienced staff team. New staff and volunteers are carefully monitored and are expected to meet the same high standards as all staff. As a result, young people are cared for by a staff team who have a clear understanding of their individual roles and responsibilities.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The staff numbers are currently affected by some staff absences and vacancies frozen by the local authority. This situation is being appropriately managed through imaginative use of flexible staff cover from the existing team. The manager is monitoring this situation tough due to the increased pressure placed on existing staff.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home meets the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose. This is regularly updated. The children’s guide provides young people with good age related information about the home and what services young people can expect. This ensures young people and stakeholders are clear about the purpose of the home and the service and support provided.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Any issues or concerns about life at the home are taken seriously. A formal complaints procedure is in place although this is rarely used. Young people are encouraged to raise concerns with staff at any time. This process is enhanced through the young people meetings where any matters can be raised. The welcome pack given to young people on arrival at the home contains details of the complaints procedure. The manager is committed to an open culture where young people can be confident in raising any issue that they feel concerned about. Young people confirm this.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The monthly regulatory external monitoring processes compliment internal management audit of the operations at the home. Where shortfalls are identified these are addressed by the management team. The manager conducts monthly review of key records including young people's progress. In addition the home's development plan is updated annually. This ensures the high standards of care are consistently monitored.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people’s case file records and other written documentation are regularly reviewed and updated. This is to ensure they provide an accurate account of young people’s needs, their development and progress. Files are securely stored and arranged in a manner that makes them easy to access by staff and available to young people. This is good practice and provides the young people with information about themselves.

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Leadership and management outstanding

This is a service that is led by a very effective and efficient manager who is supported by staff that are passionate about the welfare of the young people at this home. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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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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