Children's home run by Bristol City Council

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 1 Registered provider: Bristol City Council

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is one of several homes in the area that is owned by the local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to two children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. One child moved out of the home on 5 December 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager could not be present for this inspection. He has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Inspection date: 11 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 5 September 2023

p.1

Inspection date: 11 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 11 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

This inspection took place to review actions taken by the provider in response to the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed most of the previous shortfalls. The development of a comprehensive action plan setting out what action the home will take and how it will work with external professionals has allowed leaders and managers to monitor improvements as they have been achieved.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have benefited from individualised care and planning. The decision for one child to move out of the home has removed the risks associated with peer conflict. Before the child moved out, the children wanted to spend time together despite there being a high number of adverse incidents when they did. Planning to reduce the likelihood of incidents between them was successful, which allowed them to play and participate in activities together. When there were incidents between the children, carers intervened to de-escalate behaviours.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

All of a child’s experiences are now recorded on their file. This provides the reader with a full narrative of their time living in the home. Carers have meaningful conversations with children to understand their wishes and feelings. When appropriate, changes that have been made to the child’s routine and care planning are shared with them. This has supported the child’s understanding, learning and inclusion. One child’s wishes in relation to the decoration and furnishing of their bedroom have been listened to and are in the process of being implemented.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Despite revised care planning and there now being only one child living in the home, the number of incidents remains high. When restraint has been used, it has been necessary and appropriate. Targeted therapeutic support is now in place for the child. Leaders and managers are working closely with other professionals with the aim of devising effective strategies to support the child and reduce incidents.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Management oversight of incidents and safeguarding concerns is now reflective and thorough. Managers regularly monitor carers’ practice and outcomes for children. Team meetings have a clear focus on evaluating and reflecting on carers’ practice and children’s needs and safety. The involvement of the in-house clinical team has resulted in the division of new strategies and provides carers with therapeutic support when it is required.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Carers support the child to spend time with their family. Limited action has been taken to address risks associated with family time. This contributes directly to incidents in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 3 Concerns in relation to carers’ practice are taken seriously. Thorough investigations evaluate the concerns and carers’ practice. When necessary, action is taken to safeguard children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Carers like working in the home. They feel supported by leaders and managers, particularly when the home is in crisis. Carers said that leaders and managers are visible in the home and provide them with many opportunities for informal supervision. They are committed to the child living in the home. Their focus is to support the child to regulate and manage their emotions and to have positive outcomes.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

In response to a period of instability in the home, leaders and managers have increased the support available to carers. They recognise the pressures that carers are under when trying to keep the child safe. Leaders and managers are present in the home and have arranged for an additional worker to be on shift at times when incidents are most likely to occur, recognising that this is beneficial for the carers and the child.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 4

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/06/2022 Full Good 11/01/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that prompt and robust action is taken to address risks in relation to family time. 13 May 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.5

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c)) 13 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 6 In particular, the registered person must ensure that concerns in relation to care planning for children are addressed without delay. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 7

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bristol City Council

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR

p.7

Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567722 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8