Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children. Short-term placements and a needs assessment are offered for children in crisis. The home is owned and managed by an independent organisation. A suitably qualified registered manager oversees the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 1278020 2

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The care of children

Children like living in this home and want to stay beyond the assessment and short- term placement period.

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The care of children

Relationships between children and the staff are meaningful, warm and friendly. This allows children to feel valued and build trust in the adults caring for them. Children make steady and sustained progress.

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The care of children

Staff liaise with education providers to access work and guidance for children who are without appropriate full-time provision. Other children attend full-time school. One young person was pleased with recent exams results and as result was offered a choice of college placements.

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The care of children

The environment is homely and personalised for and by the children living in the home. Children’s views and feelings are readily sought and woven through all the records, including care plans. Children feel listened to and are keen to talk about the things they have changed or that they are planning with the staff.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to keep in touch with family and friends. During COVID-19 infection control restrictions, children used a good variety of technology-based communication systems to keep in touch with people. Weekly newsletters provided to one child meet his communication needs, with lots of photographs forming part of his care history. These newsletters are also provided to parents so that they are kept up to date and informed of progress.

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The care of children

A range of activities are provided in consultation with children. Children are able to try out new things and take part in a range of activities.

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The safety of children

Children quickly feel safe and welcome in this home. A professional stakeholder remarked, ‘Children cannot do well without a sense of security. These children do well within just a few months because they feel safe and secure.’

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The safety of children

Behaviour management centres on rewards, praise and encouragement. Sanctions are not used to affect children’s behaviour. Physical interventions are kept to a minimum and used effectively to safeguard children.

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The safety of children

Incidents of children going missing from the home are unusual. Children currently living in the home have not gone missing. Previous incidents of young people going missing were managed well. A letter of commendation from the police thanked the staff team for their effective and thorough handling of these incidents. Assurance visit report: 1278020 3 The safety of children is supported by an effective and accurate location risk assessment. This document has been updated with the help of professional stakeholders.

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The safety of children

The staff team’s approach to prevent a child from smoking (albeit occasionally) is not robust. Additional measures and consultation with healthcare professionals were implemented during the assurance visit.

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Leaders and managers

The nurturing support provided by all staff is led by the home’s registered and suitably qualified manager. Her child-centred ethos and values are evident in the safety and security felt by children. The majority of children settle quickly and make sustained progress.

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Leaders and managers

Professional stakeholders’ feedback is especially positive; they have confidence in the manager. An independent reviewing officer described the organisation as ‘preferred providers’.

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Leaders and managers

Consistency of staffing has been maintained throughout the current pandemic. Essential and specialist training is provided to staff. Where possible, this has been facilitated using social media applications to avoid the spread of COVID-19. A comprehensive action plan is in place; nothing has been left to chance should further restrictions be imposed.

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Leaders and managers

Staff received regular good-quality supervision.

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Leaders and managers

Prior to this visit, the managers produced a meticulous assurance visit document. It provides the reader with a detailed view of the home and the care provided. Photographic evidence is included, alongside the views and wishes of children.

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Leaders and managers

Previous requirements have been addressed. The management of the home has benefited from a new deputy manager who has been developing records, plans and communication methods. His IT skills complement the positive care and nurturing skills of the manager, forming an effective management team.

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Leaders and managers

Managers and staff work effectively with parents and professional stakeholders. These include local mental health services, a clinical psychologist and education providers.

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Leaders and managers

A development plan is in place and contributes to understanding and acting on improvement needs. The plan is formatted with tasks allocated among the team. Timescales frequently state ‘ongoing’; this may cause some drift or a lack of recognition for what has already been achieved.

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Leaders and managers

No requirements or recommendations are made following this visit. Assurance visit report: 1278020 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30 Chivenor Business Park, Barnstaple EX31 4AY

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Inspector

Janice Hawtin, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1278020 5 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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