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 sustained effectiveness . Young people make steady progress because of the consistent care that they receive from an experienced, stable and committed care staff team. Well-planned moves for young people to new placements have been successful. Young people benefit from clear routines and structure. This reduces the young people’s anxiety levels and they present behaviour that is more positive. Consequently, the number of physical interventions to protect young people from harming themselves and others have reduced. Young people continue to develop independence and communication skills. Professionals report that managers and the care staff work proactively and positively with them. This ensures that they care for young people well, keep them safe, and make sure that they enjoy and attend school. Young people are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

protected from harm, with swift action being taken to report safeguarding concerns raised. A professional said: ‘We have a very good working relationship with the home. They communicate well with us and always attend meetings. Any concerns are addressed quickly.’ The home has met the majority of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Improvements to the young people’s case file records have occurred through the auditing undertaken. Records detail more clearly the achievements and progress of young people. Patterns and trends of physical intervention incidents have identified triggers for such behaviour. This has provided staff with information on how to better support the young person concerned. Staff now receive supervision more regularly. The refurbishment of some bathrooms has improved the facilities for young people. There has also been an increase in staffing levels to meet the specific needs of young people in crisis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation has been partially met. Young people benefit from additional indoor activities that includes a DVD player and being able to listen to music. However, access to the internet still remains limited and reduces young people’s ability to enjoy the use of electronic tablets and other devices for educational, social and leisure activities. The quality of the environment is varied. The decoration in a number of rooms is showing signs of wear and tear. Not all furnishings are of domestic quality, such as the chairs situated in the large lounge. There is a lack of homely touches such as pictures, photographs and ornaments in communal rooms, including the lounges, corridors and bathrooms. Sensory play facilities are limited. Current practices restrict young people from accessing the garden without asking staff to open the doors. Staff do not routinely implement independence programmes to support those young people with the potential to attain these skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of staff have completed Makaton and other communication skills training. However, this training has still to be completed by all staff to ensure that they are fully equipped to meet the communication needs of all young people that they care for. Young people coming to live at the home and who access the short-break service have a wide range of learning disabilities, communication needs and abilities. There have been adjustments to staffing levels in recent times to ensure that all young people’s needs can be met. However, the needs of those young people coming to the service are constantly changing and, therefore, require continuous review. The home has a range of monitoring and auditing systems to detect deficits and omissions. This assists the home in identifying the improvements needed to develop the quality of care provided to young people.

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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 and young people who have learning disabilities. The home provides young people with short break, shared care and permanent placements.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 Interim Improved 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6) The quality and purpose of care standards (i) ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished so as to— (ii) meet the needs of each child; and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. In order to meet this standard, ensure that the decorated and furnishings throughout the home are to a high standard, including the short break areas. All furnishings should be domestic in style. 28/06/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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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. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, personalise all communal areas, including lounges, bathrooms and corridors.  As outlined in 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. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15) In particular, continue to ensure that there are suitable staffing levels at all times, taking into account the

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Recommendations

specific needs of young people, including safeguarding concerns and the need to supervise closely young people where deemed necessary.  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 encouraged 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, build on indoor activities further, including sensory play facilities. In addition, ensure that there is access to the internet to enable young people to use electronic tablets and other devices for educational, social and leisure activities.  Children should be supported to express themselves as individuals and should be given an appropriate degree of freedom and choice in relation to day-to-day

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Recommendations

arrangements for their care, depending on their individual needs and the setting in which they are cared for. This is in relation to both activities and personal items such as clothing, technology and leisure time. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.21) In particular, young people should have the freedom to access the garden without having to ask staff. Independence programmes should take into account each young person’s ability and understanding.  Sufficient staff means a having enough suitably trained staff (including someone in a management role) on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. All staff are to complete communication training. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1) In particular, all staff must receive training in all the specific communication

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Recommendations

methods used by the young people living or accessing the service.

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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 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 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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