Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team continue to provide good quality care to young people. The commitment from staff contributes to young people developing some trusting relationships with staff. The staff team has remained stable since the previous inspection, providing a consistent approach to care practices and behaviour management. On the day of this inspection, staff were redecorating a bathroom, making scones and spending time with young people who were home from education. This practice shows young people how much the staff care about them. It demonstrates their commitment to improve the quality of young people’s experiences in residential care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are changes to the residential group since the previous inspection. Young people new to the home have experienced planned and sensitive transitions. Those that have left continue to receive outreach support from the staff. There are good quality risk assessments exploring the compatibility of each young person living in this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have responded well to some incidents of disruptive behaviour in the home. During unsettled times there has been some damage to the home and difficulty in settling at night. The response to increase staffing levels effectively provided increased supervision of, and support to, young people. After incidents of anti-social behaviour, the manager undertakes a review of practice and procedures. For example, without permission, young people gained access to the office to remove some records. The manager responded by improving the security of information held and having open discussions with young people about record keeping.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Where possible, records are shared with young people to ensure they are consulted and included in their care planning. For example, each month young people are asked to rate their experiences of living in this home from one-ten. Through this level of consultation, young people say that they are satisfied living in this home and they feel safe. The manager and staff work well in partnership with other agencies for the safety and protection of young people. Consultation with young people occurs on safety plans and they are invited to sign up to agreements. This practice demonstrates to young people how professionals are working together to review risks and have appropriate plans to protect them. The number of times young people have been reported as missing has greatly reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are expected to make amends when their behaviour is inappropriate. This can be tidying up any mess caused or contributing to repair any damage. Financial sanctions do occur however the manager reports that the team are working towards a more restorative approach to avoid financial penalties. The relationship with the police community support officer continues to be a great asset to this home where he visits socially and to discuss incidents of unacceptable behaviour. Physical intervention is rare, demonstrating the effectiveness of the staff team’s ability to de-escalate behaviour. A minor incident occurred with low level intervention and a record was made in a bound book. The manager reviewed this record and noted that the member of staff had failed to sign it. This led the manager to defer singing the record until completed. Although this demonstrates good management oversight and effective monitoring of records, it means the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

record was not signed in a timely manner to meet the required regulations. This shortfall has minimal impact on young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported with their education. Staff are pro-active when educational progress stalls and fully support young people to re-engage. For example attendance for some young people dropped for a short period and now they are back on track. When young people are on a reduced timetable, staff in the home actively encourage learning with spelling tests, reading, writing and practical life skills such as cooking. A young person, newly resident, is able to attend full time education within four weeks. This is after having completed an assessment and established the right educational provision for them as English is an additional language.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team continue to be effectively led by the manager, ably supported by a management team. Training and staff development is promoted well, inspired by attendance at conferences that explore the implementation of the Quality Standards for children’s homes. For example, the manager is planning the next team day on ‘the theory of change’ while considering young people’s views, wishes and feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has responded well to the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. The record of complaints now clearly shows the action taken and the outcome of any investigation. The record of young people’s meetings is a simple colourful document and ensures that there is a response to the issues they raise. The toilets and bathrooms are fitted with toilet roll holders and items to dry hands and are in the process of being further enhanced with decoration. The bathroom was being painted on the day of inspection and the redecoration of the toilet is scheduled within the development plan. One requirement has not been met and as a result this is repeated from this inspection. The independent visitor has failed to visit for the months of October and December 2015. The impact on young people is minimal due to the monitoring systems implemented by the manager.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex, with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/10/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

(b) within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so-

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Requirement Due date

(ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(ii)) 29/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. (Regulation 44(1)) 29/02/2016

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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