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 judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to make continued improvement in all aspects of their lives, relative to their age and identified needs. This is due to the dedicated staff group whose members have a comprehensive understanding of young people’s individual vulnerabilities and their potential risks factors.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Proactive measures are put in place to reduce risk, with close liaison and well- established relationships with specialist services to achieve this. Children and young people are safe and protected because staff explain why they have to take measures to minimise risk-taking behaviours. For example, one young person who has previously experienced a number of placement breakdowns due to being assessed as high risk of child sexual exploitation has now had the risk level reduced to medium.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have successfully moved five children and young people to alternative long-term placements. One young person has been rehabilitated home to parents; another to long-term foster carers and one young person to a specialised residential provision that has on-site education. The home’s contribution to the assessment process has ensured positive outcomes. The home offers a ‘keeping in touch’ policy and a number of the children and young people who have moved on continue to visit for celebratory events.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child’s voice and participation in planning for their future is highly visible, with one child completing with their key worker a rofile for prospective foster carers. The commitment given to establishing purposeful and trusting relationships with the child or young person is echoed in the comments of one child saying: ‘I really like my key worker. He has helped me to be less angry, and now I am looking forward to finding new foster carers.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Priority is given to the young people already in placement when considering any new admissions. Three children have been admitted since the last inspection through a carefully planned and managed introductory process involving visits to the home and an overnight stay. Since the last inspection, the home has reduced its occupancy numbers from eight to six children or young people. This reduction has increased the quality and availability of staff time in their engagement with the children and young people. There is now less overall disruption when a child or young person is in crisis. With access to the home’s new ‘chill-out room’, staff are able to apply de-escalation techniques and calm the situation in a safe environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people enjoy structured activities both in the home and the community. The home has been redesigned to include a craft room that is well equipped with a range of resources. Group outings to a trampoline and adventure park and the local leisure centre have taken place. One young person enjoys walks in the countryside with her key worker. These occasions have helped the young person to ‘open up’ in a less structured setting and have contributed to a better understanding and acceptance of why restrictions, such as access to social media, are in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children and young people attend school regularly, with the majority in mainstream education that is tailored to meet their individual learning needs. One young person continues to attend an out-of-city special school while a more local provision is identified. Staff have resourced a suitable school and have made every effort to secure a timely transition. Each child and young person has a personal education plan and this is underpinned by the excellent communication and relationships between staff and local schools. In addition, a tutor attends the home on a weekly basis providing additional learning opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people’s health and well-being are promoted and monitored through individualised plans. Staff are aware of the individual health issues relating to the children and young people and ensure that regular dental and optician appointments are maintained. The home needs to be proactive in ensuring that children and young people have up-to-date health assessments and that these are reviewed on an annual basis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to be a stabilising factor, with staffing now at an optimum level. The manager has an excellent understanding of each individual child and monitors their progress. The manager now attends the local authority’s placement panel, which enhances the outcomes for children in relation to the care planning process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. This has led to improved Regulation 44 and 45 reports in recording that children and young people are safeguarded effectively, and in ascertaining the views of parents, young people and professionals. Improvements in ensuring that children placed have continuity of education have also been achieved.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Good 14/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/07/2015 Full Good 03/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  If staff consider a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 10, Reg. 5(c)) This is with particular reference to the completion of review health assessments that are out of timescale.

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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 that 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 whom 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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

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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