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

Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 1 SC033628 Registered provider: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by the local authority. It is registered to provide care short breaks and accommodation for up to six children with physical or learning disabilities and/or a sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2018. He has significant experience and knowledge of working with children with complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/01/2020 Full Good 02/10/2018 Full Good 26/09/2017 Full Good 13/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In some areas, the home does not have a particularly homely presentation. There are some noticeable wear and tear issues, and the decor is looking tired and outdated. There is some broken and worn play equipment which needs repair or replacement. These matters detract from the overall presentation of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are introduced to the home in a planned way. Initial planning meetings take place in order to ensure that the children’s needs are fully understood. Matching considerations are clearly evident when making decisions about what day a child should attend for their short break. The introduction is very much tailored to the child’s individual needs. This ensures that children have a positive introduction and experience when attending the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans fully address the children’s needs and are detailed and clear. They are regularly updated, contain relevant information and show the progress made by children. Good-quality care plans ensure that staff are consistent in their approach and are able to meet children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from good care. The progress that the children have made since receiving short breaks at the home is good. Their individual needs are understood and are responded to well by capable and caring staff. One parent described the home as “fantastic” and said that their child had definitely made progress with their independence skills, such as in eating, drinking and socialising.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Targets and goals for children are agreed with parents and schools. These are focused and relate to the children’s individual developmental needs. Examples include baking, engaging in play, making a snack, making choices for activities and sharing with other children. Children are making good progress and their achievements are captured and celebrated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have created some excellent social stories. Examples include support for children to understand COVID-19 and to prepare and support them to return to school. Staff make real efforts to support children to understand the world around them and to feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from lots of activities and experiences. These are captured and their time at the home is recorded for them to take with them as part of their life story. Children receive good support and enjoy their stay at the home.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from home. However, plans and strategies are in place if children were to go missing, and staff are very clear about what to do. When children go out in the community, staff take essential Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 4 information and equipment that may be needed in the event of an incident. This ensures that children are safe when out in the community.

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

Staff have a good understanding and awareness of safeguarding and such arrangements are well embedded. Staff have up-to-date training, and they promote children’s welfare well. Children receive a high level of support and care, and staff have a detailed understanding of the children’s needs. This helps to better protect the children from harm.

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

Children’s risk assessments are up to date. They outline known risk factors and set out strategies for staff to follow to reduce known risks. However, the risk rating is not consistently reflective of the known risk. The inconsistent risk rating has not had any impact on children. The risk assessments are regularly reviewed with clear management oversight. Children receive a consistent approach from staff.

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

There have been very few incidents requiring physical intervention. Staff know the children’s behaviour well. They are attuned to subtle changes in children’s behaviour and respond quickly in order to prevent any escalation. When incidents do occur, children are supported. This allows them to settle quickly. There is clear recording with management oversight, and reflective discussions are held with staff. This allows the staff and manager to better evaluate and predict children’s behaviours.

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

New staff are recruited safely, and appropriate checks are carried out. There are no known concerns in relation to safer recruitment practices. Staff receive good induction and training when they start their employment. This helps to ensure that children are looked after by people who are skilled and safe to do so.

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

The manager ensures that regular health and safety checks are completed in the home. Risk assessments relating to the home and activities are up to date and reviewed regularly. This means that staff have all the necessary information and strategies to keep the children safe in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has extensive experience of working with disabled children. He is supported by an experienced deputy manager. Together, they are committed to providing the best care and experiences for the children. The manager has good oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the children’s needs. Professionals say that he is passionate, child-focused and very supportive to families. The manager ensures that children receive good care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they are well supported. However, there are some gaps in supervision, which has not consistently taken place on a monthly basis. Safeguarding and expectations in relation to the quality standards are not standing items for discussion in supervision. This lack of structure hinders managers in delivering more Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 5 focused supervision and could lead to some important issues being missed. The staff are, however, motivated and feel well supported by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External monitoring has not taken place in line with regulation. Many independent visits to the home have been completed virtually. The independent visitor has not routinely consulted with other professionals, staff or children. The reports are not submitted in a timely way, which inhibits the regulator’s ability to have oversight and monitor the safety and well-being of children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication with children’s social workers and other professionals is good. Regular update reports are provided, and any incidents of concern are shared. This collaborative approach provides good support and guidance for the children and their families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to training and development opportunities. Mandatory training is up to date and the manager is aware of when this requires renewal. Regular team meetings and structured handovers provide staff with updates about the children. The manager ensures that staff have the skills and training to meet the children’s needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 6

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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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii)) 26 November

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced. 26 November Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 7 The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Recommendation

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC033628 8

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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

Brian Wood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC033628 9 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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