Children's home run by Bristol City Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 1 SC067151 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 operated by a local authority and provides short breaks for up to five children with learning disabilities and/or complex health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has two registered managers. One has been in post since April 2018 and is currently on parental leave. The other has been registered since April 2021.

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 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 the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the performance of this home has improved since the full inspection. Leaders and managers have taken effective action to address all the previous requirements and some of the recommendations. More work is required to improve the quality of body map records, ensure that the independent person consistently consults with stakeholders and reports specifically on whether children are safeguarded in the home. In addition, improvements are required to ensure debrief discussions consistently take place and that the duration of a hold is always recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers now work with adult services more effectively. Consequently, children who are moving on from the home have more co-ordinated support that better meets their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Documents that support staff in caring for children have improved. For example, risk assessments and care plans now provide clear and detailed information about the support children need and the management of risks. Staff are receiving better- quality supervision and their training needs are more effectively monitored. Team meetings now include opportunities for staff to reflect on their role and to share good practice. As a result of these improvements, children are receiving good-quality care from staff who have a sound understanding of their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consultation by leaders and managers with families and external professionals is now more consistently sought. Feedback obtained is positive about the home and the services provided for children and their families. The independent person relies on this feedback during their monitoring of the home rather than seeking independent feedback of their own. This limits opportunities for families to talk with a person who is independent of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is developing creative ways to help children to understand what happens when the fire alarm sounds. Staff have completed evacuation drills and refreshed their fire safety training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to enjoy their short-break visits and have positive experiences in this home. Staff have good relationships with children and work hard to provide them with a wide range of opportunities and activities during their stay. Staff help children to communicate their views and to make choices about how they want to spend their time in the home. During the inspection, children were seen to be relaxed in staff’s company and happily enjoying the activities. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 3 Leaders and managers have taken the right action to manage the risks from COVID- 19. Due to careful planning and commitment from staff, short-break visits have continued. Where possible, additional short breaks have been offered to provide further support for families and children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/06/2019 Full Good 27/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 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

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; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In addition, ensure that records of restraint consistently include the duration of each hold used and which staff were involved in the restraint. 1 February 2022

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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, interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires.

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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—

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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 the children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (2)(a) (4)(a)(b)) 1 February 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that body map records are clear, identify what follow-up actions have been taken and be crossed-referenced with any Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 6 associated documents. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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 for children’s home: SC067151 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bristol City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Director of Children, Families and Safer Communities, City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Victoria Poole-Smit and Zoey Strode

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC067151 8 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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