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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there has been a new registered manager. She has relevant qualifications and experience to run a children’s home and is currently undertaking the Diploma Level 5 in Management. She started in her role soon after the last inspection and has demonstrated a commitment to the improvements that were needed in this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All requirements from the last inspection have been fully met. The environment is safer and better protects young people’s safety. There have been improvements to the flooring, damp walls, chimney breast, and areas of mildew and malodour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement matching is improved. The new manager understands that it is her responsibility as well as the company’s to ensure that the group of young people is well matched. The manager has declined a referral since the last inspection, despite the home being under occupied, demonstrating a commitment to all young people’s safety and welfare. Her decisions are based upon clear information from the placing authority, which the company has insisted on since the last inspection. Local authority plans and chronologies have ensured that information is robust so that a good decision can be made about the new placement. This improvement helps to ensure that young people are safe, protected and that they can make good progress from an early stage.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose is clearer on how it intends to care for young people and contains more accurate information about the use of any therapeutic approaches. It also contains clearer information on the profile of young people who will be well suited to the home. Parents/carers and placing authorities will now be clear about how the home sets out to care for young people. The document is also sent to Ofsted after each review, so that the regulator is clear about the homes intentions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The office has been further soundproofed and therefore provides a private area for discussion, where important information cannot be overheard by young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two recommendations set at the last inspection have also been met. Each member of staff is fully supervised by their manager and has regular meetings with them. This enables staff performance to be closely monitored against the home’s statement of purpose. In addition, all young people now feel safe in the home, which is an improvement to young people’s sense of safety from the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has had a positive impact in this home. Two young people commented on her performance since taking up her role saying ’she has a heart of gold’ and ‘she is a good manager’. In addition to ensuring that the requirements and recommendations are made, she has also introduced some further positive changes. Changes to the staff supervision agenda gives a more detailed and structured approach. Young people have a new ‘concerns and complaints’ box, where they can post their ideas and feelings for the manager to see. Young people’s meeting are another way for young people to regularly express their wishes and they regularly do so. There have been new tropical fish, a trampoline, a change of menu and new soft furnishings purchased as result of the manager listening and responding well to young people. Young people therefore learn quickly that their views are important. This positively impacts on their self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has also improved quality assurance systems in the home and is keen to learn from information about patterns and trends of behaviour. She seeks the views of other professionals, such as placing authority commissioners. The manager shows commitment and enthusiasm for improving the home further.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff generally comment that their morale is improved. They say, ‘the home is improving’, and, ’it feels like a new start’. They also said, ‘we have moved on drastically since the last inspection’. They demonstrated a kind and caring approach and were motivated both by the improvements made and young people’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When new young people are admitted, they are pleased that they get a chance to look around the home first, enabling them to know what to expect. One young person said that she had been made to feel welcome on her first day and has settled in well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people leave, it is because they are ready for independence or they are no longer making progress. The manager has been very clear with placing authorities if young people have been unable to continue to make progress at the home. She has appropriately spoken out for young people and has ensured a change of placement where appropriate, so that young people’s progress is not hindered any longer than it needs to be. Where young people do leave, staff are keen for them to be able to reflect positively on their experiences at the home. They think carefully about the best way to achieve a positive ending and provide celebrations, photographs and leaving gifts, so that the placement end is positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a marked period of young people feeling more settled with fewer incidents. This has enabled some good progress with self-harm issues and, in some cases, there has been improved education attendance and attainment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people sometimes place themselves at risk. For example, some become missing and engage in unsafe activities, but this is not a reflection of a poor service. Staff comment that young people, ‘are as safe as possible’. They make every effort to help young people and are skilled in meeting their complex needs. Where young people go missing and are at risk of being sexually exploited, staff are extremely vigilant in their efforts to follow, find and keep in touch with them. Very good joint working with other professionals ensures that key professionals have the most up-to-date information at the earliest opportunity. Therefore, there can be a quick response to complex and changing safeguarding situations. There are regular opportunities to share information with school staff, social workers and the police, which further enhances a positive multi-agency approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager’s monitoring extends to more formal monthly audits to ensure that progress continues. In addition, there is an independent visitor who reports on the home’s effectiveness each month. Progress is evidenced through these reports because there are fewer actions identified than previous months.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are two requirements made as a result of this inspection. One is in relation to complaints records. It is clear that young people do have a voice and their complaints are taken very seriously, however the outcome is not demonstrated in records. Should the record be needed for future reference, it is not clear that the matter has been drawn to a close. Also new staff do receive an induction from their manager, however this is not always recorded to demonstrate staff’s competence to work at the home. This is in particular relation to the company’s own staff, who have moved to this home after working at other homes in the company.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation is also made as a result of this inspection. This is in relation to independent return interviews after young people have been missing or absent without permission. The manager does not always question it, if these interviews are not independent. Opportunities to safeguard young people could be missed by the lack of an independent approach.

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Information about this children's home

 The home provides care and accommodation for up to 4 children.  The home is privately owned.  The home provides care and accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

07/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 26/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that each employee completes and appropriate induction, this is in relation to induction records. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 26/02/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from home, without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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