Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Ealing

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 judges that it has improved effectiveness . Outcomes for young people have continued to improve, and some new initiatives have made a very positive difference. A professionally published book is used to fully capture young people’s experiences during their stay. Great effort is made to ensure that young people are involved in documenting their own journeys. The way in which staff take time to produce this information, gives a very positive message to young people that staff care about them greatly. Some young people face many challenges in moving forward with a career in the workplace, yet staff are creative in helping young people to face these challenges. They use wide-ranging resources and contacts in the local community to assist young people. This gives them a better start in life. The company has recently

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

arranged a business loan for one young person, so that they can start their own business. Staff assist young people in being creative and realistic with their own ideas, so that they will be more likely to achieve success in the future. Young people develop a ‘can do’ attitude and a good work ethic for their future. One social worker was particularly happy with the work done by the staff and said about one young person’s achievements: ‘They have helped him to get orders and have really pushed it. For the first time in ages, he has been enthusiastic’. One young person said proudly about their achievements: ’They have helped me to get my business out there to the public’, and, ‘Life is good.’ Young people enjoy their lives in the home and feel that staff support them well. Young people spoke of spending quality time with staff, when they can talk about their problems and worries. Each young person has had a marked improvement in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their socially acceptable behaviour. This has enabled young people to settle down and concentrate on their education and independence planning. Although not all young people are in education every day, it is clear that they are far more ready to access education than they were before. There is a focus for young people to develop their relationships with family and people important to them. One parent confirmed that relationships with their young person are better than they were before. Young people are fully able to develop new relationships with friends, and staff meet boyfriends, girlfriends and parents in order to facilitate positive relationships. Staff and young people regularly discuss the importance of positive relationships and how to make and maintain them. One young person told the inspector about having difficulties with relationships in the past, compared to now. They said: ‘I can now build my own relationships and now

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have a girlfriend.’ The recommendations from the last inspection have been met. There have been improvements to education information, which is now clearer so that the young person’s educational journey can be understood and tracked. The arrangements for protecting young people from radicalisation are more robust, because each young person is individually risk assessed. Staff are also trained in what to look out for and how to deal with such a situation, making them more vigilant in protecting young people. Young people report good working relationships with other professionals, who also confirm that staff are very willing to work with them. This joint working allows for good, informed decisions to be made in the best interests of young people. The registered manager is well liked. Particularly, young people get a lot from his one-to-one work with them. One young person said: ‘He is the best person I have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ever met.’ The manager is supported by a skilled and stable staff team. Together, they are highly focused on young people’s needs and energetic for further improvement. The oversight of the home by the manager is complemented by robust monthly visits by an independent person. Time is taken to thoroughly monitor all events in the home and, if there are any shortfalls found, these are put right quickly. The home has become a very settled place for young people to live. Young people who have had a turbulent past are now settled and ready for their next stages in their lives.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

08/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 that 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 whom 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

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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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