Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1259419 1

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Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned, providing care and accommodation for one child or young person who may have emotional, behavioural and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2017 and she will shortly be leaving the home. A new manager has not yet been appointed. One child was living at the home at the point of this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this monitoring visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken by the home to slow the spread of COVID- 19. Monitoring of this home was carried out remotely.

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This monitoring visit

The last full inspection of this service was carried out in March 2020. Ofsted decided to carry out a monitoring visit due to an increase in safeguarding notifications and the need to ensure that the child is being safeguarded effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Recent incidents at the home have included self-injurious behaviour, aggressive behaviour towards staff and damage to the home. Staff have responded appropriately to the child’s increased levels of distress. They have shown perseverance when faced with some very challenging incidents. They have provided the child with the care she needs and have tried to prevent incidents by using a range of interventions.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have not always maintained the vigilance required. For example, on one occasion, the child obtained an item from a member of staff which she then used to harm herself. This is a shortfall in practice. The manager recognised this and has taken appropriate action. The team has also learned lessons from this incident. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1259419 2 Staff understand the emotional challenges faced by the child and they work well with partner agencies. The child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) provides ongoing support to the child and staff. They provide guidance to staff in managing some very complex behaviours. This helps staff to understand the behavioural cycles and triggers to self-injurious behaviour and to develop improved strategies to manage risk. A CAMHS practitioner stated, ‘Staff have bent over backwards and have gone way beyond their role in caring for the child.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff use risk assessments and behaviour support plans which are detailed and comprehensive. These plans are regularly updated and adjusted and incorporate the learning from incidents. The plans provide direction for staff to safeguard the child, including measures to ensure that the physical environment is safe.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff are strong advocates for the child, particularly when they believe that decisions are not in her best interests. They forward the child’s views to partner agencies and make sure that the child is provided with the advocacy support she needs. This ensures that her views are listened to and taken into account sufficiently in the decision-making process.

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This monitoring visit

Education and training for the child is a particular worry for the manager, staff and agencies. They are working in a collaborative way to address this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff report that they feel well supported by the manager. They receive regular professional supervision and their training and development needs are met. Staff praise the manager for being available for them, especially during challenging times. The manager is planning to leave in the next few months, for another post in the organisation. The organisation is actively recruiting to fill the soon-to-be vacant position.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 government guidance. Visits are restricted to a minimum and regular checks are taking place. The manager has contingency plans in place should anyone contract the COVID-19 virus.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/03/2020 Full Good 28/11/2018 Full Good 26/09/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1259419 3

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person.

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Requirement Due date

This relates to staff understanding their roles in keeping children safe and exercising vigilance, particularly with regard to the risks from children harming themselves. 11 March 2021

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1259419 4

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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 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1259419 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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