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

Inspection report children’s home: SC403493 1 SC403493 Registered provider: Blackford Education (Schools) Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is experienced and qualified and has been the registered manager of the home since May 2016.

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive good-quality care and support. They are supported by staff who demonstrate genuine care for them and provide them with an environment that is akin to that of a family-style home. Staff have positive relationships with children and the children are very relaxed and happy here. For example, the inspector observed children requesting a hug when seeking reassurance, and when they left the home to go on an activity.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children said that they are very happy living at the home and that they love the activities. The inspector observed children interacting positively together and enjoying Inspection report children’s home: SC403493 2 each other’s company.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home. The registered manager completed a comprehensive compatibility risk assessment to ensure that the home can meet the individual and collective needs of the children. A parent spoke positively about how her child has settled in and said, ‘He has settled in really well, I know he is happy and comfortable staying there.’ In relation to another child who recently moved into the home, a social worker said, ‘The staff welcomed him with open arms, they are very child-centred.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children attend the organisation’s school and their attendance is good. For one child this is a significantly positive outcome. A parent confirmed this progress and said, ‘He is now in full-time education, he goes every day and wears his uniform.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager and the staff team have reflected on their practice in relation to the management of children’s behaviour, and the use of de- escalation and physical intervention. The registered manager scrutinises intervention records and looks for triggers and trends and shares the learning with staff. Because of this good work, the use of physical intervention has reduced.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff hold discussions with children following the use of an intervention. Children record their views and feelings by using a format that meets their level of understanding. However, on occasions, leaders and managers have not ensured that they have recorded all of the discussions they hold with staff about the use of interventions.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are provided with detailed placement plans and risk assessments that give them clear guidance about how to meet the needs of the children. This includes guidance about how to meet children’s specific healthcare needs. However, the training and guidance that staff have recently received in relation to a child’s healthcare needs have not been recorded.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular visits by the independent visitor continue to take place. The registered manager responds effectively to recommendations made.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection report children’s home: SC403493 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2018 Full Good 15/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding 04/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of a measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all records clearly detail the discussions held with staff following the use of restraint. 31/03/2019

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11). In particular, ensure that staff training records are kept up to date.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children’s home: SC403493 4 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

Registered provider: Blackford Education (Schools) Limited

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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: SC403493 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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