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

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people build strong and positive relationships with staff. This enables them to trust those who care for them.  Young people‟s anxiety levels reduce over time, because they have clear daily care routines, boundaries and suitable communication aids. This ensures that young people make good progress, gaining daily living skills, which promotes their independence and ability to take part positively in everyday and social activities.  Young people benefit from good access and support from mental health professionals.  A stable, experienced and well-trained core staff team works consistently with young people.  Staff work collaboratively with professionals and families to provide the best care and support for young people.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every six months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— The quality of care provided for children. Any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(c)) In particular, evaluate the impact of incidents of physical interventions or other significant events on the care of all young people residing in the home. Ensure audits of all case files, identifying deficits, and that they are rectified where necessary. Make sure that there are clear reviews and recordings which evidence the achievements and progress of all young people. In addition, ensure that daily recordings reflect and evidence that

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Requirement Due date

each young person‟s care plan is followed. 28 July 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) In particular, ensure that staff receive regular supervision in line with the home‟s policy. 28 July 2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following 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 („Guide to the children‟s home regulations including the quality standards‟, page 15, paragraph 3.9). In particular, refurbish, decorate and personalise bathrooms and corridors.  As outlined in paragraph 10.1, the registered person should plan staffing levels to ensure that they meet the needs of children and can respond flexibly to unexpected events or opportunities. Staffing structures should promote continuity of care from the child‟s perspective. If children complain, or give a view on how the staff structure could be improved to promote the

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Recommendations

best care for them, appropriate action should be taken („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 54, paragraph 10.15). In particular, ensure that the staffing levels can fully meet the needs of all young people, in line with their care and daily routine plans. Especially when significant incidents occur.  The registered person should ensure that children are offered a wide range of activities both inside and outside of the home (where appropriate) and are encourage to participate in those activities. Staff should support children to take part in school trips, out of school and other clubs, volunteering and leisure activities („Guide to the children‟s home regulations including the quality standards, page 31, paragraph 6.5). In particular, to build upon inside activities further, including access to DVD players and playing and listening to music. Also having access to the internet/Wi-Fi to enable use of

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Recommendations

electronic tablets and other devices for educational, social and leisure activities.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority managed children's home. This home provides care and accommodation for up to 15 children irrespective of gender who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. Children and young people use this service for permanent and shared care placements and short breaks.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

3 March 2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

29 January 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Good

Young people thrive because of the strong and secure relationships that they have with staff. Staff know them well and understand their individual and diverse needs. A young person said, „Our staff are great, I can go to anyone to talk and for help.‟ Young people actively sought staff out to do activities, spend time with them or for help during the inspection. They openly showed fondness towards staff. Staff talk about young people with affection and wanting the best for them. This ethos makes sure that young people feel safe, secure and enables them to flourish within the caring environment provided. Young people make progress through the care and support that staff provide. Their progress is evident, with some young people now being able to undertake aspects of their personal care and daily living tasks. For most young people, their anxiety levels have reduced, which assists them to self-regulate their behaviour,

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Good

take an active part in daily life and activities in the community, positively participate in school and increase their learning. This is due to young people responding to consistent care, supported with clear boundaries, routines and the use of individualised behaviour strategies that the staff implement as part of their daily care and support. Staff work to improve young people‟s communications skills. This is achieved through sign, symbols and the use of picture formats for those young people who do not communicate verbally. Some young people have daily routine boards, to ensure that young people can see what the day‟s activities and routines are. This supports them to understand what they will be doing, reduces their anxiety levels and enables and facilitates their positive engagement in the activity or task taking place. As a result, this improves their day-to-day life experiences. Young people receive regular health check-ups, which include visits to the dentist,

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Good

optician and doctor. They benefit greatly from the enhanced support from health professionals who specialise in mental and emotional well-being. This support is readily available on-site. Staff meet with a psychologist regularly and particular young people receive therapy sessions to support their mental health needs. Young people are encouraged to follow a balanced diet, special dietary and cultural needs are well provided for. Young people enjoy and take part in lots of activities which involve physical activity. A young person said, „We go for lots of walks and swimming.‟ This ensures that young people maintain good health. All young people attend school or an alternative education provision with good attendance records. Education professionals comment that communication between the staff and themselves is consistent. Where there have been issues, these have been addressed. When young people struggle to engage in aspects of

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Good

their education, the staff work closely with school, supporting in school when required. Staff attend regular meetings, which include problem solving to maintain placements. This demonstrates that staff actively support and recognise the importance of learning for young people. Parents report that they have good relationships and regular communication with staff, there is regular contact by phone, visits and at review meetings. Young people and families confirm that they have regular visits. A parent said, „My son has settled in fine. I am happy with the care he receives. I do visit regularly and I‟m made welcome. He is doing ok.‟ Another parent said, „The support I get [from] staff is brilliant, my child is visiting and having overnight stays, this helps me so much. He enjoys visiting and it gives me a break.‟ Therefore, young people maintain links with those who are important to them and the staff keep families

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Good

well informed of the care and progress that their children are making. Young people recently moving to an adult service have greatly benefited from a well thought out and implemented transition plan. This has made sure that the best support has occurred for the individual concerned, taking into account their specific needs. For example, staff from the identified new service have worked alongside the young person‟s current care staff team with him, prior to the move. This has ensured that staff from the new service have been able to get to know the young person and their needs, prior to the move. Consequently, this has greatly assisted in the young person positively settling into his new home, with people who are familiar to him. Young people have a say about their care, this involves deciding on the social activities that they want to do, meals, decoration of their bedrooms and at statutory care reviews. A young person said, „We are asked weekly what we want

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Good

on the menu, and each of us chooses a meal that we would like.‟ Young people did say that they enjoy the activities that they do. Recently, there has been a trip to Flamingo Land. During the inspection, a young person went out shopping for new clothes, others went for a ride in the minibus and others enjoyed playing football and going on the swing in the garden. However, some young people said that they wanted a few more activities to do inside the home. They do not currently have a DVD player or facilities to play music in the lounge areas. Young people also said that they cannot access the internet other than in the computer room and this was not working at the time of the inspection. Some young people have electronic tablets, these are used for communication and leisure. These cannot be used in their bedrooms and the majority of communal areas. Overall, young people enjoy and access a range of social and leisure activities. Taking on board young people‟s

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Good

suggestions, this would increase further the range of activities and broaden their interests and hobbies, particularly in the home . Judgement grade

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Good

Staff demonstrate clearly the risks identified to each young person in their care. These are recorded as detailed, written risk assessments. When young people‟s circumstances and risks change, these documents are reviewed and updated. This makes sure that all staff are aware of the strategies and action that they must take to keep young people safe. Staff explain that some young people are very vulnerable when out in the community and some young people lack awareness of the risks to themselves, which may include no road safety skills or experiencing anxiety when participating in social activities. Staff carefully plan activities to ensure that they suitably support young people to keep them safe. Young people have close supervision from staff for the majority of the time in the home and all the time when out in the community. There have been no incidents of young people going missing or being absent. Consequently, young people are

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Good

not at risk of child sexual exploitation. These actions protect and maintain young people‟s safety. Young people benefit greatly from staff who implement clear boundaries and routines within a caring environment. Detailed behaviour plans, daily routine plans, risk assessments and care plans provide all staff with the individual guide on how to care for each young person, specific to their individual and diverse needs. Implementing these plans and strategies are successful. Young people‟s behaviour over time improves, they become less anxious and take a more positive and active part in daily activities. For those young people who do go into crisis and are at risk of self-harm or becoming a danger to others, staff support them through redirecting, use distraction techniques or as a last resort use safe holds to protect them. These incidents are analysed and advice sought from a psychologist. This brings about a review of the support and care strategies used to reduce or stop

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Good

this behaviour. This provides young people with safe care approaches, cared for by staff who know them well and prevent them from harming themselves or others.

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Requires improvement

The registered manager has been in post since 2007. She has over twenty years‟ experience of working with children and young people and holds a diploma in social work and suitable management qualifications. This provides the service with a manager with the relevant experience and knowledge to give suitable oversight to the service. The statement of purpose for the service indicates clear objectives for the home. The manager is conscious of the home‟s strengths and weaknesses and has a plan on how to address the identified weaknesses of the service. She is aware of young people‟s diverse needs and the current shortfalls to meet the needs of particular young people in the long term. Consequently, arrangements to undertake assessments for these young people‟s needs is underway. This work continues, with the aim of identifying specialist services to meet their specific needs in the future. A notable strength of the service is the excellent working relationships that the

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Requires improvement

staff have with families, professionals in health, social care and education. Parents make positive comments about how the staff keep them well informed, having regular discussions and meetings. A parents said, „My son is very safe here, he enjoys lots of activities. I get a lot of support from staff and meet with them every six weeks.‟ Staff have regular meetings, phone contact and complete daily diaries with health specialists in mental health and with the school that each young person attends. This ensures that all people caring and supporting young people work consistently together, sharing information to benefit the young person‟s progress and experience. Staffing ratios, taking into account the number of young people living at the home, receiving shared care and a short-break service, are generally to a good level. There is a very diverse group of young people accessing the service. Some young

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Requires improvement

people receive one-to-one staffing. However, in recent months some young people have experienced episodes of crisis and have required three or four staff to support them, until the incident is over. During these events, not all other young people have had staff oversight. Although these have not been for long periods (for example, less than one hour), it has reduced the time that staff have to spend with particular young people during these periods. Consequently, it has delayed on a few occasions personal care needs being monitored and being provided in line with daily routine plans, support and social interaction. This does not provide all young people with a good level of support, care and supervision at all times. There is an established, experienced and well-trained staff team that is caring and committed to young people. The majority of staff state that they receive good support from their managers and colleagues. There are daily shift handovers,

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Requires improvement

debriefs after incidents and regular staff meetings to support good communication, direction and management oversight. However, not all staff have received regular formal supervision in line with the service‟s policy. As a result, not all staff routinely receive individual time to reflect on their practice, development and identify their training needs. The manager has acted on both of the recommendations made at the last inspection, with one not yet fully implemented. Staff have commenced Makaton training to ensure that they can communicate more effectively with the young people who use this exchange. The home has sourced estimates to refurbish bathrooms, with completion planned in the near future. This will enhance and make these facilities a more inviting place for young people to enjoy a bath or shower within a comfortable and relaxing environment. There is an array of monitoring systems to evaluate the quality of the service,

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Requires improvement

progress of young people and meet legal requirements. These include the monthly independent visits and the manager‟s audits. These regularly do identify shortfalls and omissions to make improvements to the service provided. Nevertheless, there have been deficiencies found during this inspection, which the home‟s current monitoring practices have not detected. These include staffing shortfalls to deliver aspects of care, case files including a lack of detail on the action to take to achieve care plan aims and deficits in providing all staff with supervision. In some cases, a lack of defined targets to be able to sufficiently measure progress for particular young people. Daily recordings do not always specify in detail the care delivered to evidence that staff have implemented all aspects of the care and other support plans. Although these deficits are not longstanding or widespread, the review and adjustment of monitoring systems to detect these shortfalls is necessary to ensure

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Requires improvement

that the quality of care remains at a good standard.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against „Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection‟.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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