Children's Home run by Better Futures Care Limited in Bradford

Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 1 Registered provider: Better Futures Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a private provider. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in post since August 2025. At the time of the inspection, they were awaiting the outcome of their application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke with both children.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/08/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy and thriving due to the love and nurture provided by caring adults. Children benefit from living in a positive, family-style environment that offers them reliable care, support and stability. The staff are positive parental role models who advocate for the children. It is for these reasons that children feel valued, seen and included, which allows them to be their authentic selves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they like living in their home, which is welcoming, clean and well maintained. Staff understand the children’s personalities, and relationships are mutually positive. This helps children to discuss any worries with staff and to share fun times. Structured conversations, house meetings, newsletters and daily chats between children and staff focus on the children and help them to say what they think.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff uphold the value of education through their good practice. All children have improved their attendance and engagement in education. For one child, this is a significant achievement considering the gaps in their learning. The communication between the home and education professionals ensures that the home and school are up to date with the children’s progress. Managers pursue any issues of concern with education providers without delay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a diverse range of fun activities. Staff have taken children on holiday in this country and abroad and have included children’s friends. One child’s wishes were acted on when staff took them to a Formula 1 racing event, getting up incredibly early to arrive promptly. Photos around the home of children’s activities, and memory books, provide children with cherished memories. Children see their family and friends, who also visit the home and who have accepted invitations to meals and social events.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the children to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to attend primary and specialist health appointments. Staff talk to children about the risks to their health of smoking vapes and consuming energy drinks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop skills to be independent. Two children have left the home. This includes a child who moved in since the last inspection. Staff supported both children successfully in conjunction with other agencies, and they have stayed connected. Children return to the home for meals and a catch-up with the staff and children currently living in the home, which resembles positive family life.

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

Children share a strong sense of safety, both at the home and in the local community. Staff clearly understand the children’s individual needs, risks and strategies, which are Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 4 supported by the children’s risk assessments. Professionals do not raise any safeguarding concerns.

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

Staff help children to take risks that are appropriate for their age and development. Staff use key-work sessions and regular conversations with children to help them to understand the risks and keep themselves safe. For example, the online safety risks for one child are regularly reviewed and restrictions are being reduced. Staff stay in contact with children when they are away from the home. This reassures staff that the children are safe.

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

Clear parental boundaries support children to manage their behaviours safely, learn from mistakes and develop socially acceptable behaviours. One child was guided away by staff to protect them while out on an activity. No children have been physically held as a result of behavioural challenges. This reflects the restorative practice, debriefs and mutually respectful relationships between the children and staff.

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

Although no children have gone missing, staff understand the individual protocols to ensure the child’s safe return. The small number of serious incidents reported to Ofsted are reviewed and acted on by the management team. Appropriate referrals to the local authority designated officer and social care agencies support effective multi-agency working.

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

Safer recruitment practices reduce the opportunities for unsuitable adults to care for vulnerable children. A historical allegation that a child disclosed to staff in relation to a previous placement has been handled thoroughly and with integrity by the management team. Not all staff have a clear understanding of the allegations management process. If carried out in practice, it could undermine a safeguarding investigation. The location assessment does not consider all potential risks in the area, such as the local park. This could expose children to unassessed risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although the management structure has changed since the last inspection, it has remained visible, inclusive and aspirational for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The deputy manager is now the acting manager. A new deputy manager supports them efficiently. The responsible individual provides effective guidance and support. The positive difference that the home has made to the children’s lives was given recognition at a recent national children and young people’s awards ceremony in Birmingham.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Several staff have left the home to accept development opportunities within the service. Some of these staff continue to visit the home and work occasional shifts, which supports their relationships with the children. The management support, nurture and challenge when staff practice falls below expectations promote a learning culture. Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 5 Leaders and managers have addressed the previous requirements raised at the last inspection. They understand the main strengths and weaknesses of the home. The independent scrutiny provided during the monthly visits strengthens this process. Leaders and managers are very responsive to any practice gaps. They have started to further develop and refine practices in the home. They involve the staff team through peer support and champion roles. For example, a sense of purpose and value was gained by a staff member who revamped the children’s guide.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular handovers, team meetings and ongoing training opportunities improve the quality of communication and learning within the team. All staff receive regular supervision. This supports staff practice, development and emotional wellbeing. Staff feel a high level of job satisfaction. They feel well supported and valued by leaders and managers. Professionals and parents provide consistently positive feedback about the quality of care and communication from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has not included actual feedback from parents and/or carers when reviewing the quality of care. This does not offer sufficient insight about parents’ and carers’ actual views about the service at a point in time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of the safeguarding policy in relation to dealing with allegations involving staff in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.19)  The registered person should ensure that the location review identifies risks linked to the local park and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that the review of the quality of care considers the actual feedback from parents and/or carers to demonstrate how their views influence service delivery. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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 for children’s home: 2775770 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Better Futures Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Trust House, 5 New Augustus Street, Bradford BD1 5LL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leighonie Parlour

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Inspector

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2775770 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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