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

Unique reference number SC436469 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim 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 Carolyn Lesley Harrison Date of last inspection 02/10/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 17/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last full inspection in October 2014 there were several shortfalls identified which resulted in five requirements and six recommendations. Since this time, the Registered Manager has worked hard to rectify these shortfalls and promote improvement. The manager has successfully addressed the five requirements and five of the recommendations.

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This inspection

The home was required to ensure that young people’s files contained all records in accordance with regulation. Specifically, signed and up to date care and placement plans which were inclusive of young people’s views. Records demonstrate that managers and staff are proactive in pursuing these documents from placing authorities. This means essential information is available to ensure care provision fully meets the needs of individual young people.

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This inspection

Improvements in educational arrangements mean that all young people participate in educational programmes, specifically in relation to young people who are awaiting a school place. Young people benefit from home tuition from the provider’s own teaching staff. Additionally, staff work proactively with a range of educational professionals to provide additional educational opportunities. This ensures that young people are fully supported and encouraged to engage with their education.

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This inspection

Activity planning in the home is improved with each young person having a weekly activity planner that outlines the structure of the week, including social, recreational and educational activities. Furthermore, young people now benefit from being able to access a range of leisure, craft and recreational activities within the home. Young people contribute to activity planning through their involvement in young person’s meetings. Consequently, young people enjoy appropriate activities, which meet their individual needs, choice and preference. 3 of 7 Arrangements for preparing young people for independence still fail to provide them with sufficient meaningful opportunities to acquire essential self-care skills. Specifically, young people do not receive sufficient support and guidance to learn necessary practical skills, such as developing financial capability, knowledge about entitlements to financial and other support after leaving care. There are no young

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This inspection

people resident who are approaching or eligible to leave care. Therefore, there is no immediate impact on young people. However, a requirement has been set to rectify this shortfall.

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This inspection

Supervision arrangements for managers and staff have increased in frequency. This ensures consistency with support provided to all staff. The Registered Manager benefits from supervision from an experienced senior manager and the staff team receive regular supervision from the home’s managers. Supervision records demonstrate thorough supervision sessions and staff report feeling well supported. These improvements ensure staff have their professional development needs met and their care and supervision of young people monitored.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has improved several managerial functions. Staff recruitment records are now reflective of past employment histories. Internal quality assurance processes are conducted monthly and are in accordance with regulation. Additionally, the home’s development plans include measurable targets and evidence forward planning. This means managerial monitoring of the home ensures detection of shortfalls, monitors patterns and trends and identifies areas for improvement.

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This inspection

The home has benefited from changes in the staff team. New staff recruited to the home complement the dedicated existing staff team. However, new staff are not currently engaged on the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction programme. This means they do not benefit from a nationally recognised and structured induction programme.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been young people who have remained as residents in the home and new young people admitted to the home. All placements, whether planned or emergencies, are assessed for compatibility. Consequently, dynamics and peer relationships are generally positive, young people say they feel safe and report no bullying.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has clear processes in place to notify relevant agencies, including Ofsted, of significant events to ensure the protection of young people. Since the last inspection, there have been a high number of notifications in relation to the behaviours of young people requiring medical and police intervention. In all cases, notifications are provided as required and illustrate appropriate action is taken to follow procedures and protect young people.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, young people have left the home. Some of these young people have transferred to more appropriate residential services, such as mental health and secure units. These transitions have been essential to ensure the 4 of 7 safeguarding and welfare needs of these young people. The managers and staff within this home have demonstrated dedication and resilience in working with young people who have demonstrated complex and challenging behaviours.

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This inspection

The interior physical environment of the home is variable in quality. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual tastes and preferences and bedroom furniture is of a good standard. Some communal areas of the home appear to have an old and worn appearance. The living room was very dirty, with dust, splashes from spilt drinks and general lack of cleanliness. The rugs and the settee are in need of replacement due to their worn and dirty appearance. Throughout the home, the hallways were in need of decoration and doors on the ground floor were unpainted and very dirty. Overall, the environment appeared to be in need of a deep cleanse and review of furnishings. These shortfalls mean that the home does not look homely, comfortable and welcoming

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This inspection

The actions taken to successfully address the majority of requirements and recommendations evidence the manager’s capacity to improve care provision when directed. These improvements provide evidence that the home has improved effectiveness since the last inspection. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned home can accommodate up to three young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/10/2014 Full adequate 05/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 18/09/2013 Full adequate 11/10/2012 Interim good progress

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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 the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the care and support needs of children accommodated there, with specific regard to the provision of care which prepares young people to acquire life-skills essential for independent living (Regulation 11 (1) (b)) 17/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained (Regulation 31 (2) (e)) 17/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the children's home is suitably furnished to meet the need of the children accommodated and achieve the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose, with specific reference to the provision of appropriate seating furniture in communal areas. (Regulation 31 (4) (a) (b)) 17/03/2015 6 of 7

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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 new staff undertake the Children's Workforce Development Council's induction standards, commencing within 7 working days of starting their employment and being completed within 6 months. (NMS 18.3) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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