Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC475335 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Blue Mountain Homes Ltd Registered person address 17 Leeland Mansions Leeland Road London W13 9HB Responsible individual Pradeep Kumar Manaktala Registered manager Jacqueline Yvonne Mee Date of last inspection N/A 2 of 10 Inspection date 23/10/2014

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Previous inspection N/A Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

This is the first inspection of the home since it registered with Ofsted in June 2014.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people experience care from an experienced and dedicated staff team who strive to provide consistency and stability for all young people. The management and staff team work exceptionally hard to ensure young people receive effective holistic care to support their individual needs.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people confirm they are happy in the home and feel safe. Safeguarding practices are rigorous and effectively implemented by a knowledgeable staff and management team. Where young people engage in risk-taking behaviour’s the staff team work with safeguarding agencies to minimise risk

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Overall effectiveness

Staff and management provide a safe, secure and healthy environment that welcomes families and carers. Regular health and safety checks ensure the home is risk free and well maintained.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager is passionate and dedicated to improve the outcomes for each young person placed in her care. She commands high expectations of her staff. In turn they express they feel fully supported and enthusiastic because of her leadership. The staff team strive to ensure that young people benefit from a caring, 3 of 10 stimulating and fun environment.

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Overall effectiveness

Four requirements are made because of this inspection. This relates to sleeping arrangements for staff, fitness of premises, supervision arrangements for the Registered Manager and lastly, in relation to ensuring full information is retained on young person’s case files. A further action is set in regards to recruitment records. These shortfalls do not have an adverse impact on the care of young people. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This is a home for four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private organisation who have other similar children's homes.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate supervision and appraisal, with specific regard to ensuring appropriate supervision arrangements for the Registered Manager (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 01/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered Person shall maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home, a record in permanent form which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child. This is in particular relation to point 18 and 19 in Schedule 3 (Regulation 28 (1) (a) Schedule 3 point 18 & 19)) 01/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is suitable sleeping accommodation for staff working in the home which does not necessitate them sleeping in communal areas of the home (Regulation 31(10) (b)) 01/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the premises for the purposes of a children’s home are of a physical design and layout, which are suitable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the homes statement of purpose. with particular regard to ensuring design features ensure a domestic style environment. 01/12/2014 5 of 10 (Regulation 31 (1))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure the registered person can demonstrate, including from written and electronic record, that is consistently follows good recruitment practice, and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance in staff recruitment and selection. With specific regard to obtaining all references. (NMS 16.2) 6 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make significant progress in all areas of their lives whilst living within this home. They quickly settle into the home and develop positive relationships with staff. This enables them to form attachments and feel secure. As a result, they are able to explore their self-identify and build resilience. This leads young people to develop and progress.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from improved health with the provision of individualised health care. They benefit from a structured routine that promotes the benefits of regular exercise and healthy lifestyles. This leads to improved overall health outcomes for young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Educational achievement and attendance for young people greatly improves. Some young people have very good school attendance and attainment. Other young people who are not engaged in formal statutory education enjoy stimulating alternative educational provision or support to pursue work-based apprenticeships. As a result, young people are making progress towards achieving their goals and aspirations.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy appropriate contact with families and significant people. Contact is promoted with staff supporting young people and their families with leisure activities and where appropriate, with families being able to visit the home. Good relationships exist between young people, families and the management and staff team. Young people benefit from staff and families working well together in line with the arrangements outlined in care plans. This helps then to settle, develop and progress.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from planning and support to develop independence skills. They learn skills such as cooking, shopping, laundry and household cleaning. Because of acquiring these skills, young people are better able to make a successful transition to adulthood

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Quality of care good

Young people report feeling settled within the home, which enables them to feel a strong sense of security and stability. They state that the manager and staff team support them in all aspects of their care. One young person said ‘Staff are amazing! They are like friends really’. A social worker said ‘Staff provide a very high standard of care. They invest time in young people, which enables them to form strong attachments and build positive relationships.’ 7 of 10 Staff work hard to provide a healthy environment which meets the individual needs of young people. Young people receive prompt medical attention when required and routine appointments ensure their holistic health needs are met. Staff ensure young people access relevant services to meet their physical, psychological and emotional needs. This means young people benefit from comprehensive health care that promotes improved health.

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Quality of care good

Staff are proactive and participate with young people in a wide variety of activities. Some young people play an active role in the local community groups, such as playing in a local football team. All young people regularly visit the local shops, swimming pool and clubs. During the school holidays and weekends, young people benefit from a stimulating programme of activities, including trips to the seaside, museums, places of historic interest, horse riding, walks and trips to the wildlife parks. One young person said that the best thing about the home were the activities, she said ‘I get to do loads of things I haven’t ever done before.’ This means young people extend their horizons and develop new skills and interests.

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Quality of care good

Young people feel confident in their ability to make internal and external complaints about any aspect of their care. The staff team provides them with a Young Persons guide upon admission to the home. This contains essential contact details and information about care provision. Additionally, complaint forms are provided to young people to enable them to make internal complaints without having to ask staff. Young people report high levels of satisfaction in the home resolving complaints quickly and in being able to access advocacy and other services. Young people have personal mobile phones and access to a phone to make calls in private within the home.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a large and spacious home, which is well maintained, clean, comfortable and personalised according to preferences of the young people. One young person said ‘the home is perfect and does not need any changes.’ However, some isolated areas of the home require attention to ensure the home does not have an institutionalised appearance. These include features such as handrails, stair gate fixings, industrial style stair carpets and rods.

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Quality of care good

The home provides sleeping accommodation for its staff within the home, with one staff bedroom on the first floor. Proposed sleeping in arrangements would mean that when the home accommodates four young people, one member of the staff team would sleep on a portable bed in the downstairs communal areas. Whilst this arrangement has not yet happened, if it did, this would potentially restrict the access young people have to these areas during the night and would limit their ability to freely move around the home at all times.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

8 of 10 Young people feel safe in the home. They say they can talk with staff about any worries or concerns and that staff talk to them about keeping themselves safe. The management and staff team demonstrate a detailed awareness of safeguarding procedures and the individual needs of each young person. The Registered Manager works proactively and positively with relevant safeguarding agencies to ensure all young people are protected from potential harm.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people do not feel that bullying is a feature of this home. In such circumstances, procedures to deal with actual or suspected incidents of bullying are understood by young people and staff. The staff team manage incidents of conflict and negative dynamics between young people sensitively and proactively. Placing authorities report confidence in how the staff team report and deal with any such incidents.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Missing from care arrangements are effective and robust. Staff work in accordance with their own missing from care policy and the local authority joint protocol regarding young people missing from home. They are proactive in working with young people, the police and safeguarding agencies to reduce risks when young people are missing. As a result, incidents of missing from home for some young people reduce over time. Social workers report that the home is effective in dealing with and minimising the risk of young people going missing.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Risk assessment and behaviour management plans are detailed, comprehensive and up to date. Risk management strategies are coordinated in consultation with safeguarding professionals and agencies. Regular review of plans enables young people to receive protection from harm, but also enable them to have opportunities to take safe risks and explore their potential. Further management of risk is addressed through the deployment of staff and resources when young people are in periods of crisis. Consequently, staffing levels ensure young people are appropriately monitored and supervised. Involved professionals have a very positive view of the manner in which young people are safeguarded.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour is well managed and there is minimal use of physical intervention. When physical interventions are occasional used, staff use low-level interventions to guide young people away from potentially dangerous situations. Records of physical interventions are in accordance with regulatory requirements and monitored by the manager.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Recruitment procedures for new staff are robust and ensure that young people are protected from unsuitable adults working in the home. However, a recruitment file for an established staff member has a minor omission in detail. While the staff member concerned has, references verified and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks, a recommendation to strengthen the recruitment records has been set within this report.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The environment is safe, secure and maintained to a good standard. Regular health 9 of 10 and safety monitoring checks keep young people and staff safe. Young people and staff take part in regular fire drills and evacuations, to ensure that they are aware of how to evacuate the building safely in the event of a fire. This further ensures the safety of persons living and working in the home.

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Leadership and management good

The manager became registered in this post for this newly established home in June 2014. She has a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Health and Social Care. She has commenced her studies on the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership in Health and Social Care. This means the manager is ensuring she has suitable qualifications for the post of Registered Manager. She has relevant experience of residential childcare within the private sector.

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Leadership and management good

This is the homes first inspection since registration with Ofsted. The Registered Manager demonstrates an up to date knowledge of changes in legislation and children's home inspection. She is committed to providing high quality care and improving outcomes for young people. The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She has established areas for development to improve outcomes for young people.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager leads a staff team who are suitably qualified and continue to develop their professional competence. They have a wide range of skills, which are utilised in daily practice. Staff receive good levels of training, with refresher training booked in advance. All staff benefit from regular, supportive supervision. Supervision arrangements for the Registered Manager have been irregular. This does not support professional development. The manager has however, provided effective leadership despite the lack of supervision, she has implemented all regulatory changes and managed a stable staff team.

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Leadership and management good

The home has a clear up to date development plan in place that sets out both short and long-term aims and objectives. The home’s development plan is regularly reviewed and reflects practical measures to drive improvements.

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Leadership and management good

Monitoring reports from the organisation identify areas of strength and development. The Registered Manager ensures improvements are made where necessary. The manager’s own monitoring is effective. Regular audits ensure that any weaknesses are identified and resolved.

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Leadership and management good

The home demonstrates a strong capacity for continued improvement based on its performance since registration and the managers understanding of improving outcomes for young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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