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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271666 1

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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 managed by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children with a range of social, emotional and behavioural needs. The manager has been registered since April 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Owing to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the home last had a full inspection in September 2019. The manager was registered after this date. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to explore the children’s experiences, particularly given the date of the last inspection, and to look at the quality of the leadership and management of the home.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. One child helpfully provided a live video tour of the home and garden, and all three children spoke to the inspector during this video call.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector interviewed the manager, acting assistant manager and two staff members. To gather information for this visit, records were received via email. Independent feedback was obtained from a social worker, an education professional and a family member. They all spoke positively about the care provided to the children. One said, ‘The team is very proactive and always willing to go that step further to put the children’s needs first.’

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This monitoring visit

The video tour provided a good overview of the home. There were no concerns about the condition of the house, which presents as homely and well furnished. One child showed the inspector her personalised bedroom and described her home as being ‘welcoming, warm, nice and cosy’.

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This monitoring visit

Children have lived at the home for a significant period of time and are settled, happy and making ongoing progress. The children experience stability and have Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271666 2 good relationships with staff who provide warm and loving care. The manager works with other professionals, which results in all the children attending appropriate educational provision for their needs. One child is receiving extra home tuition due to the gaps in education as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions.

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This monitoring visit

The children benefit from the staff’s nurturing care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The staff provide emotional support. For example, they supported the children when they had to self-isolate and experienced grief and loss. Staff talk to the children about the pandemic to help ease their anxieties.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff team know the children well and this helps the staff recognise when a child may want to abscond or engage in risky behaviour. When children leave the home without permission, staff follow closely to make sure the children do not put themselves in risky situations. Children feel safe because of staff’s actions and they are at a reduced risk of exploitation from others.

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This monitoring visit

Children have learned to self-regulate their emotions. There has been a reduction in the times the children need to be held by staff to keep them safe. The children have regular chats with staff and planned key-work sessions. They can talk about issues affecting their lives and are able to express their emotions. This helps them to engage with other professionals and services if needed, such as child sexual exploitation workers.

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This monitoring visit

The children could name staff members that they trust. The children know how to complain. When children raise concerns, the manager fully investigates these complaints. The children feel listened to and that their concerns are taken seriously.

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This monitoring visit

The home is now run by a registered manager, with support from an established senior team. This provides management stability for staff. Staff spoken to feel supported by the managers, who have an open-door approach for the children and staff.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team benefits from regular supervision and team meetings. The children are the centre of the discussions and the staff have many opportunities to reflect on their practice. Alongside training, the staff’s knowledge of safeguarding and the relevant statutory guidance gets tested within team meetings. This provides ongoing development opportunities.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has met all the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/09/2019 Full Good 13/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271666 3 15/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271666 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: 1271666 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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