Children's home run by Bristol City Council

Inspection report children’s home: 2586752 1 Registered provider: Bristol City 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 a local authority and provides care for up to two children between 14 and 18 years old who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an acting manager in post who has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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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

Date of last inspection: 17 November 2021

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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: 2586752 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2586752 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living at this home and value the support and care they receive from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know children well and are aspirational for them. Children have developed trusting and positive relationships with some staff members. The positive experiences that children have at this home are helping them to make progress. For example, staff support children to learn skills for work and for becoming more independent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are engaged in education and have good attendance. Staff support children to achieve academically, and they advocate for them to receive additional support when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to access a range of activities within the community and are encouraged to develop their interests. However, the recording of significant life events, including the collection of photos and memorabilia, could be done more consistently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals report that children are making good progress and that staff have a good understanding of the specific risks for each child. Communication is good, with regular updates provided and concerns shared promptly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of promoting each child’s individual identity. They help children to attend places of worship, to celebrate significant holidays, and they meet children’s dietary needs. Children are supported to maintain contact with their family and other important people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who speak English as an additional language are offered an interpreter for important meetings. Significant documents and pieces of information have also been translated.

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

Children told inspectors they feel safe at this home.

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

Staff understand the needs and vulnerabilities of the children and manage risks appropriately to keep children safe. This is underpinned by good-quality and informative risk assessments and safety plans.

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

When there are concerns about exploitation, staff show professional curiosity and communicate effectively with external agencies. However, staff’s curiosity about children’s friends and associates could be more robust. Inspection report children’s home: 2586752 4 There have been six episodes of children going missing from the home since the previous inspection. Staff manage these incidents appropriately and empathetically by following children, searching for them and helping them to return home swiftly.

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

Staff recognise when children are anxious or upset and take appropriate action to support and reassure them. Incident reports contain thorough evaluation and reflection, with input from staff and children. Management oversight is robust and clearly evidenced.

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

When unanticipated incidents have taken place, risk assessments are promptly updated. Updated information is shared clearly with staff in individual supervisions and team meetings.

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

Staff support children to take age-appropriate risks and boundaries. They explain the rules to children clearly, at times with the support of an interpreter. However, this could be expanded on further to help children progress to making safe choices for themselves.

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

When allegations are made, staff follow relevant procedures and make referrals to the local authority designated officer appropriately. However, notifications to Ofsted have not always been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has recently been a change of manager at the home. Staff are positive about the consistency and support provided by the deputy team manager and the gradual handover process to the new manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff value the managers’ support. Supervision sessions take place regularly and are used to reflect upon practice as well as share information. The staff team is stable, and staff are supportive of each other.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are aware of the complaints process and have access to independent advocacy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have a clear understanding of children’s individual needs and risks. Plans for children post-18 are in place. Managers ensure that the actions from these plans are regularly reviewed internally and are progressing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have completed core training. However, specialist training relevant to the needs of the children at the home could be beneficial.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming. Children have helped to choose the decoration at the home and have personalised their own bedrooms.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection, the home has moved to an online recording system. This is being used effectively, with records written clearly and information easily accessible. Inspection report children’s home: 2586752 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

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

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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

(Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 28 February 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure a review is carried out of the current arrangements for room searches, management of the kitchen and for window restrictors to be certain that these practices help children in developing their independence. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)  The registered person should ensure photos and memorabilia of children’s time at the home are collated regularly, with children’s input wherever possible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should consider whether additional specialist training would benefit the staff team in supporting the current needs of the children living at the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2586752 6

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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, Bristol BS1 5TR

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2586752 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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