Children's Home run by Blackford Education (schools) Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC045096 Inspector Guy Mammatt Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Blackford Education (Schools) Ltd T/A Libra Registered person address Edgemoor Court SOUTH MOLTON Devon EX36 3LN Responsible individual Alan Wilkes Registered manager Lisa Jackson Date of last inspection 16/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 16/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

There are fundamental weaknesses in the care planning and the admission process for some of the young people, consequently their needs are not met and they are not kept safe.

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This inspection

The manager does not operate the home in-line with the admission criteria described in the Statement of Purpose. A placing authority care plan has not been obtained for all of the young people. Consequently, the staff are not in receipt of the reasons and the aims for the young people’s placement and they cannot ensure care is provided in line with their needs. The monitoring of the home is not effective as managers have not identified and rectified this shortfall in provision.

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This inspection

The care plans completed by staff do not provide sufficient detail to promote the personal care of the young people. This does not safeguard the young people or provide staff with the necessary guidance to support these needs. In addition, these care plans are not tailored towards the individual young people, as some of the terminology, strategies and developmental targets are not in-line with their age and cognitive understanding. This does not provide realistic opportunities for young people to progress.

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This inspection

The behaviour management plans for young people are unsatisfactory. They do not detail the appropriate physical intervention techniques to be used, with consideration to the size and age of the young people. This has the potential to harm young people if an inappropriate restraint is used.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has met the requirements and the recommendations made at the previous inspection. Staff now describe the measure used when recording a restraint and the reason for the use of electronic sensors inside the home is detailed in the young people’s care plans. The young people are also now routinely offered 3 of 6 medical attention following a restraint.

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This inspection

The young people achieve good outcomes across their education, health and social needs. The young people’s attendance at school is excellent, they engage in core subjects, practical topics and some have begun taking their GCSE’s qualifications. The staff promote the health needs of the young people well. They participate in a range of physical activities, attend their medical appointments and are engaged with specialist support services. The young people enjoy attending local clubs, learning new skills and spending time with their friends outside of school time. The young people benefit from regular opportunities to meet with their family; some are also developing their independence abilities by regularly using public transport on visits with them.

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This inspection

The young people do not engage in risk taking behaviour and there are no reported occasions of them going missing from the home. The manager monitors the use of restraints and sanctions to identify any trends and to implement strategies which decrease their use. This has been effective as restraints have reduced since the previous inspection and sanctions are used infrequently.

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This inspection

The home is decorated and furnished to an acceptable standard. The young people personalise their rooms and have age appropriate toys and games available. The staff engage the young people with activities and imaginative play, as well as support them with their school work. The manager has plans agreed to develop the premises this year, which will modernise the home and provide more communal space for the young people.

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This inspection

The manager carries out regular professional supervision with the staff team. This gives the staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice and discuss their professional development. The placing authority feedback is positive about the communication from the home and the progress of the young people. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people. The care packages usually include the provision of education at the company's school.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/10/2014 Full good 25/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 24/07/2013 Full outstanding 18/02/2013 Interim satisfactory 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

4 (2001) ensure that the children's home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 4 (6)) 31/03/2015

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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 safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there; with particular reference to ensuring that the home's care plans detail the personal care needs of the young people (Regulation 11 (1) (b)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to make proper provision for the care, education, supervision, support and ,where appropriate, treatment, of children accommodated there; with particular reference to ensuring the home's care 31/03/2015 5 of 6 plans are tailored to the individual needs of the young people (Regulation 11 (1) (b))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to make proper provision for the care, education, supervision, support and ,where appropriate, treatment, of children accommodated there; with particular reference to ensuring the behaviour management plans detail the physical intervention techniques which are applicable for each young person (Regulation 11 (1)(b)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

12A (2001) ensure that in the case of a child who is looked after by a local authority the registered person must co-operate with the child's placing authority in agreeing and signing the plan for the child's placement prepared in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9; with particular reference to ensuring that all children have a local authority placement plan. (Regulation 12A (1)) 31/03/2015

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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 that the manager monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (NMS 21.2) 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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