Ofsted inspections show children's homes in Bradford are improving (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ofsted inspections show children's homes in Bradford are improving

10:20am Friday 10th February 2012 in Bradford By Jo Winrow

The latest inspections of children’s homes in Bradford have revealed that 92 per cent are now rated as either good or outstanding, compared to 54 per cent being classed as inadequate in 2008.

Ofsted regularly inspects Bradford Council’s 13 children’s homes and at the end of last year’s cycle four were outstanding, seven were good and two were satisfactory. Since then a further home has received an interim inspection – Brunswick Road – taking it from satisfactory to good. This would leave only one out of the 13 – First Avenue – as satisfactory.

In a report to the Council’s corporate parenting panel, Julie Jenkins, the assistant director of children’s specialist services, welcomed the news.

She said: “The Ofsted performance of children’s homes is high profile; in 2008 54 per cent of Bradford homes were rate as being inadequate by Ofsted.

“The reality was that the quality was actually good but there was little to no work been undertaken across the service area to assist managers with their preparation for inspection.” The social care improvement board was formed in 2009 to ensure there was a planned approach to all inspection.

“In addition an action plan to assist children’s homes in their preparation for inspection was created. Visits from councillors have also been reduced from between five and six a year to three visits per home last year.

Reports of the visits are reported to the panel on a monthly basis to ensure they are aware of their progress in meeting the needs of the young people who live there.

The matter will be discussed at the panel which is being held on Thursday, February 16, at 10.30am in City Hall, Bradford.