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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC472977 1 SC472977

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City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a local authority. This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to 15 children and/or young people who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Some children and young people live at the home permanently and others access shared care and short break placements. The service also provides short-term care to children and young people who are undergoing assessments by a Behavioural Evaluation Support Team (BEST).

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Information about this children’s home

There are two managers registered at this setting. They were registered in October 2013 and May 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

The short break service along with the BEST have been closed during the COVID-19 (pandemic).

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This monitoring visit

At the assurance visit undertaken on 7, 8 and 27 October 2020, there were serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children. This led to eight requirements. Two of these were escalated to compliance notices. These related to the leadership and management of the home, and to the behaviour management policies and records.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the progress made to meet the compliance notices and requirements. This visit identified that the improvements made by the provider were sufficient to meet the actions identified in both compliance notices and the separate requirements. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC472977 2 The registered manager has returned to normal duties and is back working at the home. This has provided consistent managerial support, oversight and a good level of monitoring of staff’s practice. To assist her, the provider has employed an external consultant and there is additional auditing by a senior leader, which offers further scrutiny of the service.

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This monitoring visit

Improved and streamlined recording systems mean that there is now little duplication of work by staff. New and improved documents focus on daily monitoring, behaviour monitoring and physical intervention. These make it easier for the manager and staff to check and evaluate the children’s and young people’s progress.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have started to feel better supported by the leaders and managers. The impact of having a senior member of staff on every shift means staff receive better leadership, support and guidance. This also provides the staff with opportunities to discuss and reflect on their practice.

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This monitoring visit

The new staff training and development plan focuses on equipping staff to have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the children and young people. This includes positive behaviour management and first aid training. Regular monthly supervisions and weekly team meetings are now taking place. Staff have reflective discussions about the children and young people. Their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding topics are discussed. This is helping to address any gaps in staff skills and practice and is an opportunity for the management to hold staff to account for their practice.

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This monitoring visit

Recent training about objects of reference has enhanced how staff communicate with children and young people. This has led to the improved use of visual aids around the home to help staff to gather children’s and young people’s views. These improvements in communication have led to fewer occasions when children and young people have been frustrated. This has led to a reduction in the number of times that staff have physically intervened with the children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) has been removed from the children’s and young people’s bedrooms. Instead, those with medical conditions that require monitoring overnight have personalised risk assessment plans following consultation with health care professionals. Children and young people now enjoy freshly decorated and personalised bedrooms, including bright wall murals. The sensory room and games room offer children and young people a calm space to enjoy games and positive interactions with each other. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC472977 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/08/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/02/2019 Full Good 20/09/2017 Full Good 15/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC472977 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its 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: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, City Hall, Centenary Square, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 1HY

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Inspector

Tina Ruffles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC472977 5 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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