Children's home run by Bristol City Council

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2656731 1 Registered provider: Bristol City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to three children who have experienced trauma in their early years, have social and emotional difficulties and may be at risk of exploitation. The home is owned by a local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2021.

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 28 November 2023

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2656731 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection took place to review leaders and managers progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The three children said that they like living in the home and have positive relationships with carers. Children have regular conversations with carers about risks. One child said that currently they do not feel safe. This is due to an incident that took place. Measures are in place to support the child and reduce the risk of further incidents. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are relevant to children.

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Findings from the inspection

The responses by carers when children go missing are robust. They follow plans and are persistent in their attempts to contact and find children. Carers show curiosity about where children go and who they spend time with. Conversations with one child about why they go missing have provided significant information which contributes to ongoing planning to prevent further such episodes.

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Findings from the inspection

Planning for moving a child into the home was thorough. Information that was essential in relation to making informed decisions about risk and whether the home was right for the child was obtained and evaluated. In addition, the views of the children already living in the home were sought and considered.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers are now better supporting children to manage their health needs. Children are taken to health appointments and regular conversations about health take place between carers and children. These conversations allow carers to monitor children’s health. Mental health and concerns about self-harm are addressed sensitively. Carers build positive relationships with children and know them well. This allows carers to monitor behaviours and assess whether children may need additional supervision or support.

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Findings from the inspection

The introduction of key-worker review meetings has improved the monitoring of children’s progress. They identify where children are making progress and areas where they may need additional support. Documents that inform carers’ practice are comprehensive and set out clear goals.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a clear emphasis on working with children and external professionals to re-engage children in education. Following a review of one child’s needs and preferences, a work experience placement has been secured for them. All children living in the home attend school or engage with tutoring.

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Findings from the inspection

Sensors on all doors in the home monitor when children leave the home at night. Their use is currently appropriate, given the risks for one child. However, this has Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2656731 3 not always been the case. Children and relevant professionals are aware that these sensors are in use, although written consent has not been obtained. There is no procedure in place to review whether this monitoring is having any impact on children and whether it remains necessary. Therefore, there are no clear plans to reduce or remove this restrictive practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Concerns in relation to carers’ practice are usually investigated thoroughly. However, when a set of keys went missing, no action was taken to change all affected locks. This inaction may have led to a further incident, when some medication went missing. All locks have now been replaced.

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Findings from the inspection

A six-monthly report on the quality of care and resulting action plan has not been produced since the last inspection. The registered manager acknowledges that future reports should include a clear action plan and will add this to the upcoming report.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers said that they like working in the home. They spoke positively about the registered manager and the level of support that he provides. Carers value weekly team meetings which provide them with regular opportunities to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children. There is a real emphasis on being a team and how this benefits not only the carers but also the children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2656731 4

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must obtain written consent from placing authorities in relation to the use of door sensors.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that regular reviews of such monitoring take place so that children are not subject to this for longer than necessary. 14 May 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the six-monthly report on the quality of care includes a clear action plan to support the home’s development. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2656731 5

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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 5TR

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Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2656731 6 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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