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

Inspection report children’s home: SC060839 1 SC060839 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

The home is operated by a private company that also operates a number of other homes and one school in the locality. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2019.

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Inspection date: 20 February 2020

Date of last inspection: 11 December 2019

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Inspection date: 20 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC060839 2

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children 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive good-quality care and support and make good emotional and social progress. Children say that they like living here and are happy. The children are supported by staff who demonstrate genuine care for them. For example, the inspector observed a child being given a hug by staff when they left the home to go out for the day. The atmosphere in the home is like that of a positive family. Staff offer good support to children who are due to leave the home. A child is shortly due to move to live with a foster parent. Staff continue to work closely with the placing authority and the prospective foster parent to ensure a sensitive and well- planned move. The child is fully involved in this and, although excited and nervous, they said that they are looking forward to the move. Children thoroughly enjoy a wide range activities in the local and wider community. They continue to attend local clubs and meet up with friends. An abundance of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

photographs capture these moments. They are kept in the form of a memory book that children take with them when they leave. Staff ensure that children’s views and opinions of the home are listened to and acted on. For example, children’s views of how the staff support and care for them have been sought and are included in the staff’s individual annual review. In addition, staff ensure that children contribute to the planning of meals and the activities that they wish to pursue. Positive behaviour continues to be promoted well. Staff are creative and use individualised methods and tools to involve children in gaining a better understanding of how to recognise and manage their emotions effectively. Sanctions are not used and the last recorded restraint is in April 2019. Since the previous inspection, no referrals have needed to have been made to the designated officer or children’s services, and children have not been missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was made at the last inspection for all staff to receive training in children who present with sexual harmful behaviour. The registered manager has sourced the availability of this training but no date has been set for this to be delivered. Inspection report children’s home: SC060839 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/12/2019 Full Good 05/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/09/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: SC060839 4

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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

33: Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees— undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)) In particular, all staff should receive training in children who present with sexual harmful behaviour. 01/04/2020

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC060839 5

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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: SC060839 6 to 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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