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

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people are generally good with the majority continuing to make progress since the last inspection. However, this is not the case for all young people. Some who are old enough do not have comprehensive pathway plans in place to aid their transition into adulthood and independent living. Where young people do have pathway plans in place the home’s staff have not fully contributed toward this process. Staff have made several attempts to liaise effectively with the responsible social workers as well as other professionals and they have tried to advocate for the young people in their care. However, their attempts have not always proved successful. This means that, in some cases, pathway plans lack sufficient detail to clarify what options, opportunities and support is available for young people as they near adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and all young people remain positive. Young people feel listened to and decisions about changes affecting the home and their lives are discussed with them. In addition, and where possible, they are consulted about new young people who may be admitted. Staff liaise effectively with education providers, colleges and training agencies to ensure young people are given the opportunities they deserve to progress and to achieve their maximum potential. One member of staff said, ‘We have one child that’s just achieved good GCSE results and we have another who’s predicted to do the same. We have regular contact with schools and we encourage all the young people to have aspirations for the future.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The individual health care needs of young people are known and understood by all staff. Each one has a health care plan in place that records what their individual healthcare needs are and how they will be met. Access to specialist health care provision, such as child and adolescent mental health services are fully supported by staff. Regular meetings take place between the staff team, key-workers and specialist health care professionals to share information and to agree strategies for dealing with young people’s challenging or self-injurious behaviour. Young people are encouraged to participate in a wide range of leisure pursuits, to develop their own hobbies and interests and to follow their own religion. For example, attending the gym, meeting with friends in the community or by going to the local mosque.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Keeping young people safe and well remains a paramount concern for all staff. The home has good working relationships with the local police and community support officers. Occasionally young people experience turmoil and crises in their lives that manifests itself in self-injurious behaviour or friction and tension between themselves and staff. When significant incidents occur, notifications to Ofsted are made in a timely manner and risk assessments updated. However, although risk assessments are revised the specific detail of the event is not clearly recorded nor is it easily identifiable within the amended document.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal monitoring systems continue to be reviewed. The home’s acting manager has developed robust systems for identifying any concerns and the action taken to address those concerns. This ensures that managers and staff are aware of and committed to, continuous improvement. They have focussed on issues and shortfalls highlighted at previous inspections and have taken action to remedy any breaches of regulation and implement recommendations for improvement. However, the reports produced as a result of external monitoring process do not always comment on the overall safety and well-being of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home does not have a registered manager in post. The local authority has made alternative arrangements and an acting manager has been appointed. The acting manager is supported on a daily basis by an experienced and qualified staff team. Additionally, the acting manager is in the process of applying to Ofsted to become registered.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and provides care and accommodation for up to 8 children and young people with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/01/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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

The registered person must appoint a person to manage the children’s home (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the independent person produces a report about a visit which sets out in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4) (a) & (b)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): ▪ Ensure staff help each child to prepare for any moves from the home. Specifically, children’s homes staff will ensure that all young people who are old enough have a comprehensive pathway plan in place and that they make a valuable contribution to the pathway planning process (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 17, paragraph 3.28 ▪ Ensure that staff actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Specifically, to ensure that each child’s risk assessment is clearly reviewed and up dated following any notifiable incidents. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 42, paragraph 9.5) 

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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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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