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

Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 1 SC476944 Registered provider: Blackford Education (schools) Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The care package usually includes the provision of education at the company’s school.

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Information about this children’s home

This home comprises two conjoined terraced cottages in a quiet village. The cottages are operated as one home and consequently share a staff team and a manager.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2017. She is also registered to manage a second home within the organisation.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 14 November 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2017 Full Good 28/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/12/2016 Full Good 01/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a home that is personalised, well-maintained, warm and homely. The home is divided into two individual houses, meaning that the two children have their own front door and garden. The atmosphere in the home is akin to that seen in a good family home. Children are relaxed and at ease in their environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good emotional and social progress because relationships between the staff and children are attentive, loving and fun. Positive attachments exist, and boundaries and expectations are applied consistently. As a result, children are thriving because they feel safe and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive day-to-day experiences that maximise their opportunities to make progress. Children’s achievements, regardless of how small, are recognised and praised by staff every day. The children have good opportunities to share activities and spend time together. The wide range of activities has helped children to develop their social skills and promotes good emotional and physical health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend the school run by the provider. Children’s attendance at school is good and staff help children to complete their homework every day after school. As a result, both children are achieving the targets that are set out in their personal education plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Social workers spoke highly of the registered manager and team because they place the needs of children at the centre of their practice. One social worker said, ‘The staff meet the child’s needs exceptionally well. The transformation in him is amazing. He is allowed to be a child.’ Another social worker said, ‘There is good attendance at reviews. I am very impressed with how well they know him. They recognise that his needs change; they always consider what is best for him. They work closely with us, so the right care plan is in place.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager and her team are good at keeping children safe. All staff are up to date with safeguarding training and spoke confidently when asked what actions they would take if they had any safeguarding concerns. Since the last inspection, there have not been any referrals made to the designated officer or children’s services, and no missing from home incidents or formal complaints. The one sanction imposed since the last inspection was appropriate and effective at helping the child.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s behaviour is managed well, and boundaries and expectations are maintained. Staff support children very well when they experience difficult situations and emotional challenges. Since the last inspection, incidents whereby staff have had to hold a child have significantly reduced. On the three occasions when physical intervention was used, it was for a minimal amount of time and appropriate to safeguard the child from harm. Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 4 Following these incidents, the registered manager obtains the child’s views about what happened and how they felt. The registered manager does this in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the previous inspection, the registered manager has reviewed the home’s locality risk assessment. This document now includes all known or potential risks in the area. As a result, the staff and children are more informed and aware of the potential risks when the children are playing with their friends in the local community.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager and her core team identify and manage risks well. Children are supported to take age-appropriate risks as part of their development. For example, both children have attended a cycling proficiency course. This has helped them to cycle in the local area safely.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children live in an environment that is well maintained and safe. Children know what to do in the event of a fire because fire evacuations take place regularly and in a way that children can understand what is expected of them. One child said, ‘Last time the fire alarm went off we all put on blindfolds. It was really good fun. We did this just in case there is a fire during the night and we wouldn’t be able to see if it was dark or smoky.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s enthusiasm, work ethos and tenacity are exceptional. She has a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills. She uses research-informed practice and is effective and forward-thinking. The staff spoke highly of the registered manager and they said that she always leads by example. The staff feel valued and listened to because the registered manager is approachable and always accessible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager promotes staff members’ professional development exceptionally well. She proactively researches and obtains bespoke training opportunities to keep herself and the team up to date with good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are looked after by adults who know them well. In recent months, two staff members have left. To ensure that continuity of care is maintained, the registered manager and core staff have completed the vacant shifts. The manager has identified two new staff to join the team. She has a comprehensive plan in place to introduce these staff members to the children and staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s monitoring of the quality of care is exceptionally good. She reviews and evaluates records, observes staff members’ practice and encourages reflective practice discussions in formal supervisions and at team meetings. New recording systems are closely monitored to ensure that the children’s daily experiences, achievements and behaviours are comprehensively documented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager applies learning from inspection outcomes and independent monitoring visits to develop and expand the services provided to children. Social workers, parents and children are consulted with regularly. A social worker agreed and said, Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 5 ‘Communication and information sharing are exceptional.’

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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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 6

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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

Sharron Escott, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC476944 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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