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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has sustained effectiveness based on its continued good work and positive relationships with the three young people who live there. Since the previous full inspection on 19th January 2016 there has been a focus on refurbishing the home and the young people enjoying a skiing holiday to Canada. The young people’s overall experiences of living in the home are good.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting registered manager continues to provide a good level of skill, knowledge and experience. This is a temporary position while the registered manager continues with her maternity leave. There have been no changes to the staff team and as a result the young people have enjoyed a further period of stability and continuity in care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has successfully met the two requirements made at the previous inspection. As a result all entries in records are signed and dated by the author, kept securely and are routinely reviewed by the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager has made progress with a number of developments in the home. Underfloor heating has been fitted and there are plans in place to redecorate some of the communal areas. Records indicate that the young people have been involved in the decoration plans and are pleased with the changes taking place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two of the young people enjoyed a skiing trip to Canada during the school holidays, and it was during their holiday that the redecoration took place. In doing so the building works and upheaval did not impact on the young people. By completing this work the young people benefit from living in a relaxed and homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person that could not join this holiday was provided with a respite placement at one of the organisation’s other children’s homes. Unfortunately due to a family crisis prior to this respite the young person was required to have a further short stay at an additional home. It is to be noted that the young person’s welfare and safety was not impacted upon by moving twice during this period. However, there was no recorded evidence found during the course of the inspection to support how this was planned and how it may or may not have impacted on the young person. A conversation between the inspector and a member of the senior management team provided an overview of the decision making that took place. Nonetheless a further conversation with the placing social worker and a lack of written evidence left an uncertainty as to whether the local authority were wholly informed of this additional placement. The placing social

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

worker confirmed that they had not been involved in any impact risk assessment relating to the move, they hadn’t liaised with the social worker of the young person that was already living in the home and they were not aware that the home was registered for one child only. A requirement is therefore made to ensure that all planned or emergency moves of young people are recorded and planned where possible and placing social workers are notified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager leads a staff team that are qualified, experienced and dedicated to improving the outcomes of each of the young people. Positive relationships formed between the young people and staff means that young people have adults they can trust and feel safe with.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Given their starting points young people are making very good progress, particularly in relation to their education. All young people have 100% school attendance, and well written personal education plans indicate that all of the young people are making steady progress across the curriculum. Further to this young people access a range of extra curriculum activities for example swimming and cycling. As a result the young people are healthy and keep fit and active.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection some of the young people have continued to enjoy improved family relationships; this has resulted in positive time spent at the home and at their family homes. For those young people that experience strained relationships with family members, the staff team work hard to encourage and support the family, providing opportunities to work through their difficulties; for example, family therapy sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of the staff team is their dedication to improving young people’s behaviour. Some staff show their creative flare and have produced a range of reward and incentive charts that are age appropriate and educational. By doing so young people are more effectively engaged in the process of changing challenging behaviours. Records indicate that young people do not go missing, very few sanctions are used and the use of physical intervention is rare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has effective monitoring systems in place. Regulation 44 reports are detailed, well written and submitted regularly. Likewise notifiable events are shared with all agencies on time, and with updates when required. The home continues to be a safe environment for the young people and progress for each young person is notable.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a private company which also operates a number of other small homes in the locality. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 CH - Interim improved 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

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans. In particular all communication between the placing social worker is recorded and kept on the child’s case files. (Regulation 5 (a)) 15/04/2016

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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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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