Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides accommodation, care and support for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This service was registered in August 2019 to provide short-term placements for the purpose of assessment. The home is one of three operated by the same provider offering placements to Devon County Council.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified manager is in post and has been registered with Ofsted since August 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Visit dates: 29 September to 1 October 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 18 February 2020

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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:  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. Assurance visit report: 2546960 2

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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.

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The care of children

Young people have made measurable progress since moving into this home. There is a reduction in negative behaviour which previously put these young people at risk. They are engaged productively with the adults who support them.

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The care of children

Initially, the young people were placed in this home on a short-term basis so that their needs could be clearly assessed. The provider is now responding to a request from both young people, who say they want to stay at this home until they are older and can move to live more independently.

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The care of children

Education providers feel staff are supportive in a number of ways, including transporting young people to and from school. Young people continued to do schoolwork during the COVID-19 lockdown period and when school placements have not been available.

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The care of children

Young people are involved in a good range of activities which suit their interests. Recently, they have enjoyed surfing and fishing as well as team sports. One young person plays football for a local team. The staff have high aspirations for the young people, which forms the basis of good relationships. One young person said, ‘I can ask to do any activity. They will sort it out.’

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The care of children

Young people keep in touch with those who are important to them. A professional from outside of the home commented that, ‘A real strength in providing for young people is the work with parents. I know a Mum has visited for meals and spent time helping decorate a bedroom with her son. Family time is very important.’

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The care of children

The environment is homely and personalised. There are lots of photographs around the home, mostly demonstrating young people’s involvement in activities. Bedrooms are personalised, reflecting young people’s taste and personality.

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The care of children

The manager and landlord are sorting out some repairs which are needed to the exterior of the building. As this is a listed building repairs can take a bit longer than usual. This does not seem to detract from what is a suitable living environment.

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The safety of children

Young people feel safe and say that they trust the staff to look after them. Relationships are positive, allowing young people to express any concerns and discuss historic incidents of abuse with the staff.

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The safety of children

Allegations made by young people are reported appropriately to other professionals and dealt with effectively by the manager. Assurance visit report: 2546960 3 Risk is clearly identified and understood by the adults. Young people have an individual risk and behaviour management plan. Triggers and early indicators of potential challenging behaviour are described in these plans, followed by appropriate responses. Reward and praise are used successfully to promote and reinforce positive behaviour.

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The safety of children

Together, the young people sometimes engage in exuberant horseplay which gets out of hand and challenges the adults who are caring for them. The police have worked in partnership with the staff and, without criminalising young people, have calmed three situations. Reflection on incidents by staff is helping them to consider alternatives to police intervention. There has not been any further police involvement now for some months.

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The safety of children

A detailed and comprehensive plan is in place to provide for the welfare and continuing education of young people, should further restrictions in relation to COVID-19 be needed. This plan is worthy of wider dissemination to other providers of children’s homes.

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The safety of children

The storage of medication is not orderly, with more then one packet of the same medication stock being opened and used. Packages are grubby from overhandling due to the unnecessary daily counting of all tablets. Mistakes in administration to young people are not a feature, however, a record of non-prescribed medication does not include the reason for administration, as required.

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Leaders and managers

A suitably qualified and registered manager leads the staff team. Previous requirements and recommendations have been addressed to improve the home and avoid shortfalls in providing for young people.

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Leaders and managers

The home operates as described in the statement of purpose. A social worker described the assessment of need report provided by the home as ‘a great piece of work, informative, with clear direction for the young person’s future’.

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Leaders and managers

Work in partnership with professionals enhances the progress of young people. A clinical psychologist is involved in assessments and in supporting staff. In addition, education providers are regularly consulted and provide work for young people who do not have a suitable school placement.

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Leaders and managers

Staff enjoy working in the home and feel supported by the manager and the provider. Consistency of staffing has been maintained throughout the current pandemic. Essential and specialist training continues to equip staff to care effectively for young people. Good use is made of online training and social media applications to avoid face to face contact and limit the spread of COVID-19.

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Leaders and managers

On one occasion, staff did not report to a school an incident which may have had an impact the next day on behaviour and/or learning for a young person. Subsequently, the manager plansto update the school via email when necessary. Assurance visit report: 2546960 4 The frequency of supervision provided to staff is not reliable. It is not clear if some records are missing, and the electronic storage of these records lacks order.

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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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that— medicine is stored in an orderly manner and a record is kept of the reasons for administration of non-prescribed medication. 26/11/2020

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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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: CDM Buildings, Westacott Road, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 8AW

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Inspector

Janice Hawtin, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2546960 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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