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

Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 1 SC033492 Registered provider: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people who have emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since February 2019 and was registered by Ofsted for this home in September 2019. He has previously managed this home for several years and has a good understanding of the children’s needs and behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 6 November 2018

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/11/2018 Full Good 20/02/2018 Full Outstanding 15/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/08/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All the children living at this home receive exceptionally high standards of care and support. Staff are dedicated in providing the children with a nurturing and family environment. The children benefit from stability and consistent routines, helping them to thrive and flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children have made significant and sustained progress in all areas from their individual starting points. Children attend their school placements and are encouraged by staff to complete homework daily. Additional weekly support from an external teacher enhances the children’s learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are cared for by committed staff who have high aspirations for them to reach their individual potential. The children are supported to celebrate their success and achievements regularly. This builds their confidence and self-esteem, making them feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff chat with children daily. This makes them feel that they are listened to and respected. Key-work sessions take place with children and are recorded in newly developed visual books. The books are shared with the children, giving them a better understanding and opportunities to speak about the important things affecting their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children’s physical and emotional health and well-being are promoted exceptionally well. Children receive an enhanced level of support and care from the on-site psychologist, occupational therapist and speech and language therapist. The staff team ensures that there is a seamless link with these professionals to provide the ongoing support to the children on a daily basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s family time is promoted where appropriate. The staff proactively work to build positive and effective relationships with parents and extended family members.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s interests are prioritised, offering them new experiences and opportunities to access a wide range of activities at home and within the community. The manager and children have excellent community involvement and are responsible for some of the flower displays in the village. The children regularly interact with their peers and make new, positive friendships, developing their social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All the children’s opportunities and achievements are captured in life-story DVDs. When they move on from the home, they have memories of their experiences during their period living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported by the highly dedicated team of staff, who prepare them well for moving on from the home. Staff also work closely with all professionals to ensure that the children have a positive experience and a smooth transition to either foster care or Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 4 alternative residential placements. Some children have remained in touch with the staff after they have moved on from the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

The manager and staff are insightful in identifying risks associated with each of the children. These are documented comprehensively in the individual positive support and development plans. The children do not go missing from the home. There are good connections with the police community support officers who visit the home on a regular basis to meet with the children and staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children are well protected due to the support and intervention from the staff. The quality and experience of the staff team are excellent in meeting the children’s individual needs. The children receive consistently high quality care in a safe and secure environment.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Regular physical intervention, such as low-level holds, keeps children away from danger. Holds are only used as a last resort. Records are well documented and frequently reviewed to reflect on the situation and amend any practice as needed. Discussions and debriefs with professionals help the staff to inform care and behaviour plans to ensure that the very best support is given to children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Professionals, parents and carers have confidence in the management and staff team. There is an open and honest culture in the home. A parent said, ‘Staff are welcoming. They work positively with my daughter and provide her with care and support.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Robust recruitment processes mean that all staff are thoroughly vetted and deemed safe to work with children and young people prior to employment. New staff receive a well- structured induction programme and probationary period to test out their skills and ability before becoming permanent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is creative and ambitious in offering a family environment for the children which gives them the highest level of care, new experiences and opportunities. He has extensive knowledge and experience in supporting children’s needs. He provides strong leadership with a visible presence for the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff are strong advocates for the children. They appropriately challenge professionals to ensure that children receive the best service to meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is proactive in researching and sourcing additional training to ensure that the staff develop their skills to provide the best support and levels of care to meet the individual needs of the children in the home. For example, the manager secured training for the team in Dyadic development psychotherapy to support the children and young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 5 Staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals, which contribute to them feeling supported by the manager. They also benefit from working alongside the management team, which ensures that the manager knows the care practices and promotes consistency for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent partnership working with parents, carers and professionals. This provides a consistent approach when caring for children. A professional said, ‘The manager and the team are amazing, so dedicated to the children, providing good structure, routines and boundaries.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a monitoring and quality assurance system in operation to ensure that children continue to receive high-quality care. The staff team is fully informed and up to date with any changes which will impact on children’s lives.

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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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, Centenary Square, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 1HY

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Inspector

Sue Hatton, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC033492 7 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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