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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people respond well to the care and support they receive, that includes, clear and consistent routines, strategies and boundaries. This assists young people to feel safe, secure and make good progress overtime. A parent said, ‘The work staff have done with my son has made such a difference to our family life. I was scared to take him out due to his behaviour. Now, we can go out. Everyday things are much easier. This is a wonderful place.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of all the young people’s diverse needs, vulnerabilities and the risks to their safety. They receive training in essential areas, which makes sure that they are up-to-date in current safeguarding procedures. A member of staff said, ‘We receive regular refresher training in health, safety, child protection and behaviour management. Our ethos is to reduce young people’s anxiety levels and be aware of any triggers, which will affect their behaviour negatively. We use re-direction and distraction techniques. Physically holding a young person is the last resort for us.’ Another said, ‘We de-brief after all incidents and reflect on each incident to see what we can do differently to prevent it happening again.’ Close monitoring and evaluation of all physical intervention incidents takes place. The number of physical interventions of young people experiencing a regular crisis have reduced in number and duration. This signifies

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that the strategies used by staff have a positive impact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The work completed with young people results in a decline of anxiety levels and this positively influences their behaviour and coping mechanisms. They are able to take part in everyday activities. For example, accessing activities in the community, sitting at the table to have a family meal, manage social situations better, and increase their independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Excellent collaborative working with health and education professionals provides young people with a wealth of expertise to meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has taken action to implement the requirements and recommendation made at the last inspection. A young person now accesses a new education placement to ensure their continued learning. New furniture, windows are dressed with voile and more soft furnishings enhance the lounges. Records demonstrate more clearly young people’s achievements. The target goals set promote and support young people’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring of the service continues to be thorough and staff receive regular supervision and attend staff meetings. The monitoring of young people’s target goals ensures that they continue to make progress. Staff say that they work well as a team, and good communication systems ensure that they provide consistent care to young people. However, staff do not receive training in all the communication mediums of the young people who access the service. This could hinder their communication with particular young people and affect the progress of these individuals if not addressed promptly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit overall from a suitably equipped, well decorated and furnished home, with homely touches. Their bedrooms are highly personalised which reflects their interests and personalities. However, a bathroom has paint damage following a leak; other bathrooms have no curtains or blinds and lack personalisation although this does not impact on their privacy and dignity these areas remain uninviting. This detracts from the overall positive living environment provided for young people to live in.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority run children’s home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 15 children of either sex with learning disabilities. Young people use the service for permanent, short break and shared care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (The guide to the quality standards, page 53, paragraph 10.11) In particular, that all staff receive training in the communication mediums used by the young people accessing the service including Makaton.

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than an institutional impression (The Guide to the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9).

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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