Children's Home run by Midas Manors Ltd in Bradford

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 1

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Midas Manors Ltd

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 private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager have been registered with Ofsted since July 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to explore the children’s experiences, safety and welfare, because the home has not been inspected since it was registered in July 2020. Other aspects that were looked at during the visit relate to the admission and discharge of children at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The visit included sampling documents and talking with one child, staff and relevant professionals. Due to the restrictions in place relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), this monitoring visit was carried out off site. At the time of the visit, two teenage children were living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff team have reflected on a very challenging period, which has resulted in some children leaving the home sooner than planned. Some staff have been physically assaulted. The manager has recognised and has acted on the times when they have not been able to keep everyone consistently safe due to the level of some children’s complex behaviours. The behaviour management guidance, diversion strategies and focused key-work sessions that the children have engaged in with staff did not lead to the desired progress. One of the contributing factors has been the lack of transparent information-sharing from the placing authority when one child was placed at the home. The manager has challenged this matter with the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 2 placing authority. A meeting is planned between the provider and placing authority that intends to improve the admissions process.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the challenges, the staff understand the children’s needs and risks and provide nurturing care to the children. Trusting relationships have been formed between the children and the staff team. A child remains in touch with the home since they left several weeks ago, which is testament to the positive relationships. One child has thrived significantly from their starting point. One social worker said, ‘The care afforded to [Name of the child] by the staff at [Name of the home] has been remarkable.’

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This monitoring visit

Children can talk to the staff about any of their worries or concerns. The children’s involvement in their plans and decisions about the home encourages them to express their views and feelings openly.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand their role and responsibilities to safeguard children. The staff know how to whistle-blow about any unsafe practice. Children’s risk management plans support the staff to protect the children’s vulnerabilities. However, not all the risk assessments show the rationale for decreasing a child’s risk of sexual exploitation, and this is inconsistent with the child’s other related documentation. This is a recording issue that has posed no risk to the child’s safety and well-being. Children feel safe. One child rated their safety as ‘10 out of 10’.

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This monitoring visit

The staff debriefs that take place after a physical intervention have not been included in the physical intervention records. The omission has not had an impact on children’s safety and welfare. When children have gone missing, the staff take effective action to help ensure that the children are found quickly. The good information-sharing from the police about any known risks in the community helps the manager to update the area risk assessment, and the staff remain vigilant.

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This monitoring visit

Some children have continued to attend school during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the fun and interesting activities that children have engaged in at the home have kept them occupied during lockdown. The dedication shown by two staff caring for one child during a period of self-isolation has enhanced the child’s experiences, provided some good memories and shown the child how much the staff care about them.

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This monitoring visit

Appropriate scrutiny and challenge from the responsible individual promote continuous improvement. The views of children, staff, family and professionals have not been included in the quality of care review report. Some of the children’s electronic records are not secure. This could undermine the integrity and reliability of the information.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has not consistently informed Ofsted of serious incidents that have led to the police being called to the home. Although no child has come to harm, the shortfall inhibits the regulator from having an oversight of safeguarding practices in the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 3 The consistent and resilient staff team staff spoke highly about the children, and the management support and training. The staff are valued by the managers for their care and commitment to the children. One staff member said, ‘The support is 100% there.’ Professionals confirmed that the home communicates well with them. One professional said, ‘The home has been a fantastic steppingstone for [Name of the child] during a difficult period of time, and I hope to work with [Name of the registered manager] and her staff team again in the future!’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

This is the home’s first inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

 review the risk assessments to ensure that the rationale for changing the risk rating is clear and consistent with the other relevant risk management documentation  ensure that all children’s electronic records are maintained in a secure format. 31/03/2021

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Requirement Due date

Within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that a copy of the staff debrief is reflected in the physical intervention records. 31/03/2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 31/03/2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 5 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (5)) 31/03/2021

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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 address: 10 Joseph Street, Holme Lane, Bradford BD4 0PT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alison Serefoglou

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Inspector

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2573447 6 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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