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

Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 1 SC485427 Registered provider: Blackford Education (Schools) Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This 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 packages usually include the provision of education at the company’s school.

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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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/08/2018 Full Good 14/11/2017 Full Good 25/10/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people have made outstanding progress since living at this home, this progress has increased year on year. They have both been living here for a number of years and have been provided with excellent continuity and consistency of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people are rightly proud of their achievements. Since the last inspection, their independence has grown and they have learned new skills. Young people now use public transport unsupported, have a greater awareness and understanding of budgeting and are able to prepare and cook meals. This has prepared them exceptionally well for adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have developed excellent relationships with young people. They know the young people exceptionally well and show them genuine warmth and affection. The atmosphere in the home is positive and nurturing. Young people respond to this care and talk enthusiastically about their relationships with staff. One young person told the inspector, ‘Staff are supportive, helpful and respectful; but most of all they are forgiving.’ Social workers and parents also speak highly of the exceptional care and support young people receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff ensure that young people are well informed about ‘the wider world’. Young people and staff regularly discuss matters in relation to politics, matters affecting society and citizenship. Consequently, young people have developed a greater understanding of life issues and are learning how to be a good citizen.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people regularly and consistently attend school and are doing extremely well. They have succeeded in gaining qualifications prior to this summer’s examinations and are taking a range of other subjects. In addition, young people have secured places at college and are looking forward to undertaking their chosen courses. Staff creatively and skilfully help young people to prepare for the world of work. For example, one member of staff has arranged to meet with a young person when he is staying with his family to help him to look for a part-time job. Young people speak fondly of the support they receive from the staff team in applying for and attending interviews.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Due to the positive progress young people have made they are spending more time with their families. In addition, they have developed positive and appropriate friendships in the wider community and their confidence and social skills have improved. They actively pursue their individual hobbies and interests and take part in local community activities. Photographs are in abundance of the social and leisure activities the young people have experienced since living at this home. These are being collated into the young people’s memory books which they will take with them when they move on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The young people living at this home are leaving this summer. They have been fully involved in the plans for their future. Of their experience of living at this home young people commented, ‘It’s really supportive. You may not like it at first but you get more Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 4 support than you realise. We will miss them.’

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

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding protocols and whistle-blowing policies. Young people are kept safe and have become increasingly safer since living at this home. Young people say that they feel safe and are confident to any staff if they had any concerns or worries. In addition, parents and social workers do not have any concerns about the young people’s safety.

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

Young people are supported well to take age-appropriate risks in preparation for independent living. For example, as young people have matured and developed their skills, they are encouraged by staff to spend time in the home on their own and to take increasing responsibility for managing their leisure time. This prepares them well for adult life. Consequently, they are confident and are able to clearly identify actions they would take to keep themselves safe. They have a good awareness of internet safety and how to keep themselves safe online.

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

Staff are provided with detailed behaviour support plans that guide them appropriately in how to support young people to manage their feelings. As a result, young people have developed a range of strategies that they say help them to manage their emotions effectively. Restraint is not used at this home because the strength of the relationships between young people and staff is so positive. Young people respect staff, themselves and one another and their behaviour is exemplary.

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

Since the last inspection, there have not been any concerns requiring referral to the designated officer or children’s services. Young people do not go missing and there has not been any concerns in relation to the misuse of drugs or alcohol.

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

Young people live in a safe and well-maintained home. A comprehensive location assessment includes the impact of the local amenities on the home and the young people it provides for, and the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager demonstrates inspirational leadership. She has high expectations of the staff, leads by example and creates a culture of aspiration and positivity. Staff respond exceptionally well to her leadership and are highly effective at ensuring that young people have positive experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is forward-thinking and uses current cultural issues and research to develop ways of working with the young people. For example, she has investigated the use of guns, knives and weapons in society and she has developed and delivered a teaching package to the staff to ensure that they have a greater understanding of this topical subject. Staff are well prepared to help young people. This work is worthy of wider dissemination. Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 5 Staff have excellent working relationships with families, partner agencies and schools. This ensures the best possible care, experiences and futures for young people. The registered manager has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that everyone works together as a team for the benefit of young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has identified realistic goals to make further improvements. She has undertaken a comprehensive review of the quality of care provided and she responds professionally and promptly to recommendations made by the independent visitor. There is strong evidence of continued year-on-year improvement at this home.

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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: SC485427 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

David Kidner, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC485427 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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