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 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

There is no registered manager currently in post at the home. Suitable interim management arrangements are in place while the provider recruits to the position. The interim manager has the appropriate experience and qualifications to fulfil the role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to the requirements made at the last inspection, a new independent visitor has been appointed, who does not have any other role within the company. In addition, the behaviour management policy has been updated. It now instructs the manager to inform parents of young people when they have been involved in a restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both recommendations from the previous inspection have also been met. The decoration and refurbishment to the home has largely been finished. The director of care has appropriately escalated a concern about a local authority’s transition plan for a young person who is due to move out of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervision of the staff over the past five months has not been frequent. This weakness has been identified by the interim manager and action has already been taken to remedy this and ensure that staff receive at least one supervision promptly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have a full education timetable, which includes work experience and regular outdoor activities. Some young people find it difficult to maintain good attendance at school, because they feel they struggle with academic studies. Staff are aware of this and put good support in place. They also use incentives effectively to encourage the young people to attend more.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the young people report that they enjoy living at the home and staff are good to them. They pursue their interests with bikes, skateboards and playing football. Some also join clubs in the community, such as the St John Ambulance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no occasions of young people going missing since the last inspection, and there have been no recorded child protection concerns. There has been one complaint received from a neighbour, which has been resolved satisfactorily by the interim manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been three restraints used since the last inspection. All incidents of restraint are recorded to a good standard. Staff’s use of restraint is proportionate and to keep young people safe. The young person and staff involved are debriefed following the incident. The manager reviews each incident to see if there are any training needs for staff and to ensure that each measure has been conducted appropriately and safely.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company that also operates a number of other homes and one school in the locality. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/12/2016 Full Good 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/01/2016 Full Good 20/03/2015 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

(2) The registered person must ensure that all employees: (a) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. 31/05/2017

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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, 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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