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

This home provides a very homely environment for young people. The personalities of the two young people living at the home are evident throughout. One young person has caused damage to their bedroom door, which is yet to be repaired. This slightly detracts from the overall homely environment for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made at the last full inspection, which was undertaken in October 2016.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no significant safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. There has only been one physical intervention. This incident was handled appropriately and a good level of support was provided to the young person to enable them to explore their emotions at this time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a stable staff team at the home. This provides important consistency for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are supporting young people to engage in a number of activities such as skating, running, trampoline club, surfing and youth club. Both young people have also recently been on a snowboarding holiday with other young people and staff members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The support of one young person to manage their emotions is ongoing. The registered manager and staff have facilitated a number of different approaches to enable the young person to share their feelings. The young person is also regularly attending play therapy. This has resulted in a marked reduction in their challenging behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both of the young people who live at the home are making significant progress in all aspects of their development, including education. Furthermore, the registered manager and staff constantly provide creative opportunities to promote positive behaviour and to engage young people with their community. This includes supporting young people to develop their social consciences, for example by encouraging them to fundraise, and to spend time helping at local charities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide accommodation for two young people and is run by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/10/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 12/01/2016 Full Outstanding

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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 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 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

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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