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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 1 SC033628

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City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

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 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 has been registered with Ofsted since January 2018.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged as inadequate at the full inspection on 3 and 4 October 2022. Four compliance notices were issued under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, regulation 32, fitness of workers, and regulation 35, behaviour management policies and records. The purpose of this visit was to monitor whether the actions identified in the compliance notices have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has responded and implemented an action plan to address each compliance notice. Inspectors found that sufficient progress has been made in relation to all four compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Investigations into staff practice have now been concluded. The investigations have been conducted by an appropriate person. There are actions set to support learning and minimise risks. Investigations have been thorough, which help to ensure that children are safeguarded. However, an action arising from the investigation to create and implement a development plan has not yet been agreed or implemented. This can reduce the impact of learning and may reduce the safety of staff practice.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has reviewed staff training and all training records are up to date. All staff are now trained in first aid. This includes health related training that is specific to the needs of the children accessing short breaks. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 2 Staffing arrangements are now adequate to meet children’s needs and staff feel better supported. The ongoing recruitment of new staff continues to be a challenge, but the current staffing ratios are aligned to the needs of the service. This means that staff are now in a better position to support children to engage in meaningful activities in line with their education, health and care plan.

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This monitoring visit

Improved management monitoring and scrutiny of the home have had a positive impact.

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This monitoring visit

All staff now have an annual appraisal. This supports staff to continue to develop in their roles and contributes to better experiences for children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is on course to complete the relevant management qualification, which has already been delayed significantly. He is now supported with realistic timescales for completion.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has reviewed all staff recruitment files. Staff employed to work at the home have now been recruited using safer recruitment processes. This helps to safeguard children.

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This monitoring visit

There has been no physical intervention required since the last inspection. The provider has ensured that staff have undertaken a refresher course in relation to behaviour management. There is clear guidance for staff to refer to and staff understand what is required should they need to intervene to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

The managers and staff have worked together to review the care provided to children. The response to the compliance notices has been clear and prompt. Managers are focussed on improving children’s experiences and making progress.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/10/2022 Full Inadequate 21/09/2021 Full Good 06/01/2020 Full Good 02/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 3

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that any outcomes following investigation are actioned in a timely way, specifically, the development plan for the registered manager. 31 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)) 31 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children; and 31 December 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 4 for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 5 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 3 years after the date on which that person started managing a home. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i) (2)(c)(i)(ii) (3)(a))

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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

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 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (5)) 31 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and 31 December 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 5 notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 6

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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 Hall, Centenary Square, Bradford BD1 1HY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Picklu Roychoudhury

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Inspectors

Sadie Mulkeen, Social Care Inspector Aaron Mcloughlin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033628 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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