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

Inspection report children’s home: 1244384 1 Registered provider: Blackford Education (schools) Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company, and provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is situated in a very rural location. Children access the organisation’s school that is registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has resigned. In the absence of a registered manager, the responsible individual has ensured that there has been effective management support and oversight of the home. A temporary manager is in post and senior managers are supporting them. There have been periods of time when there has not been any children living at the home. However, the current child living here continues to receive good-quality care and support, and the home is well managed. In addition, the external scrutiny of the home completed by the independent visitor is good. The manager responds effectively to recommendations made to improve. Since the last inspection, there have not been any Inspection report children’s home: 1244384 2 complaints. Leaders and managers take effective action when there are suspicions of harm or abuse. There are no concerns in relation to children missing, misuse of substances, or the

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

inappropriate use of the internet. Staff use restraint as a last resort. Since the last inspection, there has been a slight decrease in the use of restraint. However, some records do not confirm the actual length of time that the restraint was used. Staff continue to seek the views of children following the use of restraint. Since the last inspection, one child has moved to another children’s home within the organisation. This was a planned move. Staff ensured that the child experienced a good move to his new home. In addition, another child has recently moved into the home from another children’s home within the organisation. This was a planned move and in full agreement with the child and his social worker. It is a short-term plan. The current child said he feels safe and prefers living here than in his previous home. He continues to enjoy his hobbies and interests. He was complementary about the activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

He said that he feels safe and likes the staff who are supporting him. He continues to receive full-time education. The manager ensures that the child’s placement plan and risk assessments are reviewed regularly to reflect his needs. The child’s social worker has commented that she considers the child is much happier and has settled into his new home well. Leaders and managers have taken effective action to ensure that children live in a homely environment. Since the last inspection, the home has been redecorated and repairs completed. Leaders and managers have not ensured that all staff working at the home have taken part in a fire drill. The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

Inspection report children’s home: 1244384 3 25: Fire precautions After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home, and so far as reasonably practicable, children, are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of a fire. (Regulation 25(1)(a)) 28/02/2018

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records Ensure that within 24 hours of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to child in the home, a record is made which includes: the time when the measure was used. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iii)) 28/02/2018

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Inspection report children’s home: 1244384 4 Unique reference number: 1244384

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blackford Education (schools) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Blackford House, Blackford, Minehead TA24 8SY

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Inspector

David Kidner, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1244384 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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