Children's home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care for up to two young people aged between eight and 17 years old with social and emotional difficulties. The current manager started working for the company in May 2019. She is currently completing her level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She has also submitted her application to be registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the company on 9 January 2020. An interim manager took up post on 3 February 2020. He has the relevant qualification and experience and has submitted an application for the registered manager’s post. Given the short time he has been in post, he has had limited opportunity to make sustained improvements.

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Inspection date: 9 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2019

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Inspection date: 9 March 2020

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 9 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, managers have worked hard to improve the quality of care for young people. As a result, all requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have now ensured that they are using the home’s internal monitoring system more effectively. For example, managers have improved their oversight of safe recruitment practice, how they review incidents and ensure that staff are following young people’s risk assessments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is currently one young person living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have challenged the child and adolescent mental health services regarding delays in the young person receiving an assessment. This challenge has helped to ensure that the young person receives the services they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have supported the young person to participate in a range of activities. For example, the young person has been supported to go horse riding, visit theme parks, and to see their friends. These valuable opportunities help to promote the young person’s self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have supported the young person to develop essential life skills. The bespoke work carried out by staff has help the young person to secure employment and learn how to access community services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff complete detailed risk assessments and behavioural management plans that identify triggers that can result in the young person being placed at risk. However, sometimes there is conflicting information contained in these documents. This means that occasionally, advice and guidance for staff to manage risk can be less clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage the young person to express their views and feelings about their care. As a result, the young person feels listened to when decisions are being made about their day-to-day care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is now welcoming and has been decorated and furnished to meet the specific needs of the current young person. As a result, the young person takes pride in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff seldom use physical restraint to safeguard the young person. However, when staff have needed to intervene, these incidents are managed well and fully recorded. Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 3 Since the last inspection, there have been no missing-from-care episodes. However, on rare occasions when this has happened, the staff have acted quickly and worked closely with the placing local authority, police and local services to reduce risk to the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite all the good progress, some shortfalls remain. The home continues to have a high staff turnover. These changes in staffing have impacted on the young person’s stability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While most staff receive regular formal supervision, some staff are left out of the supervision process. This creates a missed opportunity to ensure that all staff receive the help and support that they need to develop their practice and raise their professional aspirations. Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 5

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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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(e)(h)) 17/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. (Regulation 32 (1)(2)(3)) 17/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees–

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 17/04/2020

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Recommendations

 Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. Case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

In particular, the registered manager should ensure that all risk assessments for the home are regularly updated and contain all the relevant information. Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 6

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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: 1280210 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Patrick McIntosh, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1280210 8 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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