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 outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is located in rural surroundings and encompasses a great deal of outdoor space. It is well maintained and provides a homely environment for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last full inspection. However, the registered manager is seeking to continue to raise the standard of care provided to young people. For example, there are plans to provide further indoor play and relaxation areas.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a stable staff team which provides consistency of care for young people. One young person spoken with could easily identify a number of staff members with whom they can talk if they have any worries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The needs of young people are closely monitored to ensure that care planning is evolving to meet the changing needs of young people. For example, patterns in concerning behaviour are identified and reflected upon to ensure that young people’s emotional needs are carefully considered and met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no significant safeguarding issues since the last inspection. Physical interventions are used appropriately and each incident is fully explored, in order to promote learning opportunities for staff and young people, with a view to preventing future occurrences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers strongly advocate for young people when required; for example, to ensure that they are provided with the right care and support, such as when young people are ready to move on to smaller homes, or foster placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback provided by a social worker further highlighted that care planning is informed by the attention to detail that staff provide for young people. The social worker commented that staff know young people really well, and are always providing new opportunities and experiences for them, which includes a recent holiday abroad. Leaders, managers and staff are providing young people with very nurturing care. This has enabled the young people who live at the home to make significant progress in all areas of their development.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company that also operates a school and a number of other children’s homes in the locality. The home provides care for up to six children and young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding 04/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/10/2015 Full Outstanding 26/03/2015 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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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