Children's home run by Bristol City Council

Inspection report children's home: SC061232 1 SC061232 Registered provider: Bristol City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to five children with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 1 December 2020.

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Inspection date: 14 October 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 October 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC061232 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s day-to-day experiences at the home have improved and they are making good progress. One child has successfully moved from the home to their own accommodation and a new child was moving in on the day of this visit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff now manage children’s behaviour appropriately and no longer call the police to help them. The action taken by leaders and managers in this area has been effective in improving the management of behavioural incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of records kept by staff has improved. Children’s plans now contain clear guidance for staff on how to care for each child. Children’s risk assessments have also improved and clearly identify the risks and how staff will mitigate and reduce them. Risk assessments are frequently updated to ensure that they are current.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have improved the quality of the accommodation, which includes finishing the new kitchen and laying new carpets. Staff have also reduced the number of health and safety signs in the home. However, further work is needed in this area as the signs that remain detract from the homely environment the staff have created. The bedroom for the new child has been decorated and furnished to a high standard. The child was able to choose the decor.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fridge in the kitchen contains food items that are not appropriately stored and could present a health risk to children and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager had arranged for the fire risk assessment to be reviewed prior to this visit. However, the assessment was postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests and rescheduled for 15 October 2021.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a new manager in post and she is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is not consistently notifying Ofsted of significant events. Since the previous inspection, there have been two significant events which were not made known to Ofsted. Both events were managed effectively to safeguard the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s monitoring of the home has improved and evidence of her oversight can be seen throughout the home’s documentation. Information from this monitoring is used to improve practice. Inspection report children's home: SC061232 3 The last quality of care report, which was completed by the previous manager, requires improvement. The report does not state what period the report covers, and lacks analysis and evaluation. There is also no evidence of consultation with children, parents, staff or social workers. In addition, there is no action plan. This does not aid in the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of staff supervision records has improved. These now demonstrate reflective discussions and help to develop staff practice. Staff are provided with support and practice issues are addressed effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent person’s reports require improvement. Currently, the reports do not clearly state the independent person’s opinion on the safety and well-being of the children. In addition, the independent person does not consistently gather or reflect feedback from parents or social workers. Inspection report children's home: SC061232 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/07/2019 Full Inadequate 26/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC061232 5

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire. (Regulation (25) (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the fire risk assessment is reviewed and updated. 5 November 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 5 November 2021

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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

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— 30 November Inspection report children's home: SC061232 6 children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report"). (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must evaluate and analyse the information in the report effectively, state the period the report covers and include a clear action plan to aid in the development of the home. The report must also include feedback from children, parents, other professionals and staff. 30 November

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Recommendations

 The registered person should review the requirement for health and safety signage and ensure that required maintenance is addressed swiftly. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report children's home: SC061232 7  The registered person should ensure that all food items are stored in a safe and hygienic way. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8)

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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: SC061232 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bristol City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 TRE

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC061232 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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