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

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC061005 1 SC061005 Registered provider: Bradford Children’s Specialist Service Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to fulfil its ethos of providing a safe, nurturing and family-orientated environment that has seen young people and staff develop purposeful and warm relationships. The young people trust the adults who look after them, enjoying stability and consistency of care. A recent prominent visitor to the home said: ‘Following my visit, it was great to see the residents looking so settled and to hear that the other residents were on constructive activities.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working is a key element in ensuring that the young people’s needs are met holistically and are clearly identified and acted upon. Risk assessments and case planning are underpinned by a specific model of parenting and intervention. The work undertaken with the young people enables them to self-reflect on their behaviour. For Interim inspection report children’s home: SC061005 2 one young person, her episodes of going missing and risks associated with child exploitation have significantly reduced. Young people are central in contributing to their care plans. This encourages a sense of ownership. The journey from care to independence has been successfully achieved for two young people. An independent reviewing officer commented: ‘I cannot let this event pass without paying the highest praise to you and the staff, in particular [Staff Name] who has been a dedicated and skilled key worker and advocate for [Name]. [Name] has been with you a long time and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

has been supported and nurtured through some difficult episodes. What a credit she is to herself and your care.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager ensures that the referral and matching process is thorough, vigorous and realistic in its aims and objectives. Young people’s admissions to the home are planned, and the impact upon other young people is taken into consideration. This is testament to placement stability and demonstrates a strong emphasis on achieving excellent outcomes for young people. One young person has recently transitioned into the home and due to the robust planning has settled very well, resulting in minimal disruption in her schooling. A professional enthusiastically said: ‘When [Name’s] sister arrived she was made so welcome and was relaxed in the company of all. The presents were both thoughtful and funny.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice continues to protect young people. One young person said: ‘I feel safe. Staff allow me to go out and play football in the park with my friends, but they always keep an eye on me.’ The manager’s quality assurance and monitoring around risk-taking behaviours, staff practices and safe care are reviewed on a monthly basis. Risk assessments are updated accordingly when new risk-taking behaviours are concerned.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff actively reinforce the importance of education. Close communication with education providers, schools and the virtual head enables clear planning and support to be implemented for young people. The registered manager and staff are strong advocates for the young people in their care and will challenge decisions made if they are not felt to be in the best interests of the young people. For example, the manager successfully challenged educational professionals, which has ensured that a young person is supported to remain in mainstream school.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

It continues to be a priority of the staff to enable young people to attend the same school provision and if this involves additional resources the manager will go above and beyond to ensure that this is in place. One young person has made measurable progress and is now able to travel to and from school independently on public transport. This demonstrates the staff’s ability to balance the young persons need for increasing trust and independence.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy and participate in a range of activities tailored to their individual interests, both in the home and in the community, and they are consulted in all aspects of their daily lives. For one young person, this involves attending the cadets, free swimming and ice hockey. Cooking is also a passion for two young people and an opportunity to attend Jamie Oliver’s cooking school is on the horizon. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC061005 3 The registered manager continues to effectively manage the home. The manager knows the home well and is committed to continued improvement in the quality of care to ensure good outcomes for the young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2017 Full Good 28/11/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bradford Childrens Specialist Service Interim inspection report children’s home: SC061005 4 Registered provider address: Sir Henry Mitchell House, 4 Manchester Road, Bradford, Yorkshire BD5 0QL

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC061005 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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