Children's Home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2568557 1

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Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children. The care provided is designed to help them overcome childhood trauma and reduce any resulting emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place due to a number of incidents, police involvement in the lives of young people and concerns about a lack of notifications to Ofsted. The visit was completed remotely using video links with young people and staff, scrutiny of documents and consultation with professional stakeholders.

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This monitoring visit

Three young people live in this home. They are all over the age of 16 and intend living here until they become adults.

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This monitoring visit

A suitably qualified manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened in January 2020. The manager and staff are uncompromising in their commitment to the young people. The manager is also skilled in problem solving and advocating on behalf of young people, for example in securing education and improving contact between siblings.

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This monitoring visit

Care provided is based on trusting secure relationships between young people and the staff. The home looks after young people with complex emotional needs and experiences of childhood trauma. Young people have faced several moves prior to finding much- needed permanency here. They have grown in confidence and are assured that the staff will act in their best interest and keep them safe.

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This monitoring visit

Feedback from young people is, without exception, positive. They described this as their home and being like one big family. One young person has made representations to figures in power in attempts to extend the age at which young people have to move Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2568557 2 from a children’s home. Young people rate the home as ‘outstanding’ and would only change the amount of time they are allowed to spend on gaming machines.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are resolute in securing full-time education and in attempting to secure employment for one young people. One young person has undertaken a number of courses within the organisation, including safeguarding and keeping safe online. These courses have bolstered their curriculum vitae (CV) to improve opportunities for employment.

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This monitoring visit

Young people are happy living in the home and trust the staff to keep them safe. The involvement of the police in the lives of children has been appropriate and an effective joint working response to risk. Incidents are dealt with effectively to safeguard young people. Ofsted has not always been notified of serious incidents, which limits independent scrutiny and oversight by the regulator.

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This monitoring visit

Independent professional stakeholders and staff are positive about the care provided in the home and the progress made by the young people. Staff feel sufficiently equipped to do their job. Training, supervision and support are readily available.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation is investing in young people’s futures. Directors told the inspector that they intend to provide accommodation and ensure support where needed once the young people reach adulthood. A local flat is currently being sought for one young person who is due to move on. This assurance about the future and promise of ongoing support reduce anxiety and increase the likelihood of a positive move to adulthood for young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13 January 2020 Registration N/A Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2568557 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 8 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2568557 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the provider’s progress towards meeting the actions set out in the compliance notices.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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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, Devon EX31 4AY

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Inspector

Janice Hawtin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2568557 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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