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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC059635 1 SC059635

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Bradford Children’s Specialist Service

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. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people. The registered manager has been in post since 2016.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home is currently subject to a restriction of accommodation notice following a judgment of inadequate at the full inspection. A monitoring visit was carried out to confirm that no new admissions had been made to the home. The requirements made at the full inspection will be addressed at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has been proactive in her response to the issues raised in the restriction notice. No new placements have been made. A comprehensive action plan is in place and there is good progress around the areas of concern.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments for all the young people have been reviewed and staff are aware of their contents. They are acting upon the identified issues in order to reduce the known risks to the young people.

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This monitoring visit

The staff have introduced checks on mobile devices to protect the young people from inappropriate internet contact. They have also increased their contact with young people when they are unsupervised in the community. Supervision of the young people at night has been strengthened. The staff are focusing on helping the young people to understand how to keep themselves safe and the need for closer staff supervision. The young people are responding to this and there have been no occasions of them going missing from the home since the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are now engaging in constructive activities led by the staff. They Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC059635 2 have enjoyed trips out, ice-skating, baking and two young people are now attending a weekly stage school. This is improving the relationships between the staff and the young people and, as a result, the behaviour of the young people has improved significantly. There have been no safeguarding incidents or physical interventions for the last month.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has challenged education services appropriately and provision has increased for the young people. The staff are encouraging and supporting the young people to undertake both their tuition and homework. There is increased engagement with education by all the young people.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s internal environment has been enhanced. Pictures have been replaced on the walls and the rooms are well furnished and homely. The young people and staff state that the home is a much calmer and more pleasant place since the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is ensuring that all staff update their safeguarding training. The knowledge of the staff is being increased in areas such as post-16 provision, and all the staff are taking part in team-building sessions. Consistency of care practice and morale within the team are increasing as a result.

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This monitoring visit

To ensure that the matching of new young people to the home is effective, the manager has reviewed the impact risk assessments and matching tools for each young person in placement. Senior management is also strengthening the performance of the placements panel.

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This monitoring visit

Consequently, outcomes for the young people are now beginning to improve.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/04/2018 Full Inadequate 30/08/2017 Full Good 30/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/07/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC059635 3

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and consider the progress made by the leadership and management of the home and the potential impact of this on children since last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bradford Children’s Specialist Service

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Adoption Service, Sir Henry Mitchell House, 4 Manchester Road, Bradford BD5 0QL

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Inspector

Janet Black, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC059635 4 to 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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