Children's home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2515613 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to two children and young people with a variety of complex needs and who are aged eight to 18. A private provider operates the home. The registered manager is undertaking a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 21 to 22 November 2019

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2515613 2

p.1

Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, ensure that damaged or worn carpets are replaced in a timely manner.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care provided by staff is commendable. They go above and beyond to ensure that young people get the best out of their stay. Young people enjoy living in a home environment that is warm and welcoming, and being cared for by staff who offer the nurture that helps them to thrive.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people contribute to the day-to-day running of the home and more complex decisions about their care. They meet regularly with the staff and the manager, have one-to-one discussions with staff and attend reviews about their care. The manager encourages young people to create a wish list, to prompt discussion and aspirations. This effective way of encouraging young people’s participation ensures that they have a voice. Staff act on what young people say, which enables them to feel listened to and valued.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The two young people enjoy having pets. They each have a cat, which they love. This is helping them to invest in their home and they are learning to take responsibility for caring for their pet.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support young people to understand how to maintain their own emotional, psychological and physical health. Young people access health services more readily and they are beginning to understand the importance of looking after themselves and seeking health advice when needed. As a result, their well-being is improving.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people live in harmony with each other and learn how to accept their differences without prejudice. Skilled staff help young people to settle into their placements. Strong bonds between staff and young people are built on trust and respect. As a result, young people enjoy stability, which in turn supports their progress.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s education outcomes improve. This is because they receive the right support and learn at a pace that is right for them. As a result, both young people overcome barriers to learning and attend college routinely. Inspection report children’s home: 2515613 3 Staff provide young people with fantastic social experiences and do not let the difficulties young people face hinder their opportunities. For example, young people enjoy holidays with staff, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff are dedicated to improving outcomes for young people in their care. Staff work effectively as a team to ensure that the individual needs of young people are met well. This approach by staff helps young people to feel valued and cared for.

p.3

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

Young people are protected from harm because staff understand their vulnerabilities and challenging behaviours. Staff are vigilant and take effective action to reduce the risk of harm to young people. As a result, self-injurious behaviour and incidents of young people going missing from home are reducing.

p.3

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

When young people go missing from the home, staff take prompt action to help them to return safely. Staff undertake effective key-working sessions to understand why young people go missing and what has happened while they are away from the home.

p.3

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

Staff use praise and rewards that encourage young people to behave appropriately. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort by trained staff to keep young people safe. Incidents of physical intervention are reducing, which indicates that young people are more settled and better able to manage their behaviours and emotions.

p.3

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

Young people know how to complain and are confident to raise their concerns with the manager and staff. The manager listens and responds quickly and appropriately. As a result, young people know that their complaints are taken seriously.

p.3

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

Staff are clear about their role in keeping young people safe. They are familiar with and use whistleblowing procedures to raise concerns. The manager promptly acts on concerns and ensures that these are fully investigated. This promotes young people’s welfare.

p.3

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

The manager ensures that all staff are safely recruited. This helps to protect young people from unsuitable people having access to them.

p.3

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

The home is exceptionally well maintained in most areas. However, the carpet on the landing is frayed and presents a trip hazard. The manager took immediate action to remedy the hazard, and measured up for a new carpet, once this was brought to her attention.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home was registered in April 2019. The registered manager is suitably experienced and is undertaking a level 5 qualification in leadership and management. Inspection report children’s home: 2515613 4 Professionals involved with young people who live at the home spoke highly of the manager’s ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with them. As a result, young people receive coordinated care which supports their progress.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff are supported well. They receive an effective induction, ongoing training and supervision. This helps staff to develop their skills and knowledge. As a result, young people receive good-quality care from knowledgeable and skilled staff.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the strengths and weaknesses of the service. They regularly monitor and review what needs to improve and implement a workforce plan to ensure that targets are met.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager notifies Ofsted of any significant events in a timely manner. This sharing of information enables the regulator to monitor the service and be assured that the manager and staff have taken all necessary action to safeguard the young people.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Records are well maintained by staff and reflect the lives of young people. Staff encourage young people to contribute to these records on a regular basis. As a result, young people understand what is written about their progress, risks and experiences.

p.4

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.

p.4

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: 2515613 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Eagles Nest, Dunston Business Village, Dunston ST18 9AB

p.5

Inspector

Michelle Spruce, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2515613 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6