Children's home run by Bradford Children’s and Families Trust

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 1 Registered provider: Bradford Children and Families Trust

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home re-registered with Ofsted on 1 April 2023, when the local authority arrangements were taken over by Bradford Children and Families Trust. It provides care for up to 10 children with sensory impairments, physical disabilities, and who may have learning disabilities. Children can live or stay at this home under short- break arrangements.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 10 October 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Inspection date: 15 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the last inspection, Ofsted issued a compliance notice relating to Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). On 17 July 2024, a monitoring visit was carried where it was determined that the steps in the compliance notice had been met.

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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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 2 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: 2729749 3

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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. However, there continues to be significant issues that are affecting the children’s overall experience of care. This has been recognised by the provider, who has already taken positive steps to address areas of weakness and vulnerability.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been no registered manager in post for a significant period. Sufficient contingency arrangements are in place to oversee the children’s day-to-day care. However, the ongoing absence of a manager continues to have significant implications on the overall functioning of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders have recently recognised that the provider’s policies have not been applied to address high levels of staff sickness. Consequently, this has affected staff morale and undermined their ability to consistently deliver good standards of care. The provider has now implemented a plan to address these issues.

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Findings from the inspection

The absence of a manager, coupled with high levels of staff sickness, has undermined staff’s ability to plan and coordinate the children’s care. An example being the children’s access to chocolate and snacks. Additionally, when examples of poor staff practice emerge, although the provider addresses these effectively with the individuals involved, the absence of a manager has undermined the team’s ability to collectively reflect, learn and develop.

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Findings from the inspection

Maintenance work is being carried out to create an improved home environment. These works are extensive. Consequently, children are unable to access large sections of the play areas in the home’s grounds. Additionally, areas of the home look unloved. For example, the porch area was littered with remnants of discarded food, showing a lack of pride in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a lack of expert assessments around whether, and how, mechanical restraints should be used to better support the children’s welfare and mobility. Consequently, for one child, their liberty is potentially being unnecessarily deprived. The service manager has already recognised this and is actively addressing the issue.

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Findings from the inspection

The service manager has identified that there are significant gaps associated with the provider’s recruitment practices. Most of these shortfalls have now been sufficiently addressed. However, there is currently no nominated individual to ensure that the provider has implemented safer recruitment processes before new staff assume their role. Therefore, there are still vulnerabilities in the provider’s recruitment practices.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of care review report does not serve its purpose. Therefore, leaders and managers miss the opportunity to evaluate important aspects associated with the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 4 children’s care effectively. There is no consultation with children, and neither is there any coherent assessment of how known shortfalls are going to be overcome.

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Findings from the inspection

The recommendation relating to the children’s guide has been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 6

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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 provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) (2)(a)(b)) 15 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; 15 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 7 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(b) (2)(a)(iv)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b) (2))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the use of mechanical restraints that deprive children of their liberty must be assessed as being necessary by an appropriately qualified health practitioner. 15 February 2025

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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

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 15 February 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s guide provides children with information on how to make a complaint in line with the home’s complaints procedure and how to access advocacy support and contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22)  The registered person should ensure that there is good employment practice. In particular, in the absence of a manager, there should be a designated person to ensure that safer recruitment practices have been adhered to before new staff commence their role in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bradford Children and Families Trust

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sir Henry Mitchell House (5th Floor), 4 Manchester Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD5 0QL

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Inspector

Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729749 9 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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