Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Ealing

Assurance visit report: SC059998 1 SC059998

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who may have emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a qualified and registered manager who has been in post since November 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 8 November 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

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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.

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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: SC059998 2

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The care of children

The home has remained stable since last interim inspection. One child has moved into the home. The manager and staff ensured that this transition was undertaken carefully and at the child’s pace. The manager ensured that staff had the right amount of information to enable them to provide good care for the child. Because of good planning, this transition went well. The child settled quickly and he is now making progress.

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The care of children

Children’s education is a key priority for the manager and staff. Children attend their identified education provision, with some achieving excellent attendance. Some children have overcome significant barriers to education and they are now enjoying learning and deriving the benefits from regular school attendance.

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The care of children

Children say that they enjoy living in this home. They feel supported by a committed staff team, and they have developed good relationships with each other. This has led to a pleasant atmosphere with plenty of humour between children and staff.

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The care of children

Children have regular and planned contact with those important to them. Some children have developed improved relationships with family members with whom contact has previously been variable. The manager and staff work in collaboration with partner agencies to the agreed plans for contact and so this ensures that family meetings are both safe and enjoyable.

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The care of children

The manager and leaders of the organisation need to improve some areas of the environment. A worn carpet in the dining room and settees require repair or replacement. This detracts from what is an otherwise pleasant home environment.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff understand what constitutes a safeguarding concern. They follow the appropriate safeguarding procedures when concerned about children’s welfare. The staff and manager identify and report concerns immediately, acting quickly and effectively to safeguard children.

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The safety of children

Children report that they are safe and well cared for. Children have not engaged in risk-taking behaviour, such a drug or alcohol misuse and incidents of going missing from care are rare.

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The safety of children

Staff have a good understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and the actions they should take to keep children safe. This is because their safeguarding practice is informed through good risk assessments and behaviour management plans, which are regularly reviewed and amended in line with the changing needs of children.

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The safety of children

Children’s behaviour is generally good, with few incidents. When incidents have taken place, staff have managed these well. Physical intervention and sanctions have been used as a last resort. The manager has provided good oversight following any incidents to ensure that she is satisfied that staff took the right action. Assurance visit report: SC059998 3 Leaders of the home must ensure that fire doors fully close when the fire alarms are activated. This is important to make certain that these doors are fully flame- and smoke-resistant, to provide the optimal protection in the event of a fire .

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Leaders and managers

There is a permanent, qualified manager leading this home. She is committed to the care of children and possesses a good, detailed understanding of the children’s needs, vulnerabilities and future care plans.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has implemented government guidance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The staff and children understand the importance of hygiene and social distancing. They are using IT systems to good effect to limit the amount of social contact taking place. Children have responded to this in a mature and considerate manner.

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Leaders and managers

Staff present as positive and there is good morale among them. Staff say that they receive regular supervision, guidance and oversight from the manager. Staff are very positive about the support they receive from the manager and said that the manager’s door is always open to them. This helps them feel confident and well supported.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is diligent in her quality assurance role. She uses a range of systems to monitor the quality of care provided. This includes reviewing all records in the home, especially following any incidents or concerns, to assure herself that all policies and procedures are being adhered to. An area for strengthening is to support the independent visitor to consistently canvass the views of parents, carers and professionals.

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25(1)(a)) 12/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC059998 4 This requirement is made because fire doors are not fully closing when the fire alarm is activated.

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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 (alarms, food, hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home’s staff; each child’s family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care or protection of each child including their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54,

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 17, Leeland Mansions, Leeland Road, London W13 9HE

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pradeep Manaktala

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC059998 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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Inspector

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