Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Doncaster

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 1

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Blue Mountain Homes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and/or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This home had an assurance visit on the 8 and 9 September 2020. The last full inspection was completed in December 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was conducted on site with a view to exploring the safeguarding practice at the home following concerns about staff conduct.

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This monitoring visit

The provider’s response when dealing with a serious safeguarding allegation about a member of staff has not been effective. The provider has not taken robust action as needed following a serious allegation and as such, has placed children at risk of harm. Senior leaders and the manager failed to report an allegation in a timely way to the local authority safeguarding team, as required in with the local safeguarding procedures. This lack of communication has prevented any external oversight, scrutiny and investigation from the local authority to explore if children are cared for safely.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has also delayed their notification about the incident to Ofsted. This prevented the regulator from reviewing the serious incident and from monitoring the home’s safeguarding practice. The lack of reporting to the police by the provider has compromised any potential investigation. Allowing staff to work in another children’s home without a full investigation or satisfactory risk management further increases the vulnerability and risk to children. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 2 The provider’s policy for responding to serious concerns and allegations does not support the immediate referral to the local authority. This has led to a delay in open and transparent communication with safeguarding professionals.

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This monitoring visit

Most children benefit from the positive relationships they have established with staff. Children can speak with the staff about concerns and complaints. One child said about the home, ‘It’s good, I like it.’

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This monitoring visit

A couple of staff have left the home since the assurance visit. This has not impacted on children as a consistent core team of staff has supported them. However, the statement of purpose has not been revised following the changes to staffing in the home and submitted to Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The manager follows safe recruitment practice. This means that staff are vetted before they start working with children.

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This monitoring visit

During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staff have received face-to-face and online training relating to child exploitation, managing challenging behaviour and first aid. This supports the staff in their understanding of their responsibility to care for and keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

The manager provides regular supervision to the staff team. Where practice issues have been identified, these are discussed in individual supervisions. This allows staff to reflect on their practice and address areas for development.

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This monitoring visit

The one requirement from the previous assurance visit has been met. The regulator is now receiving the independent person’s reports about the quality of care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/12/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/10/2019 Full Inadequate 07/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 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

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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to senior leaders and the manager making prompt referrals to the local authority when there are serious concerns/allegations. 26 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 26 February 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 4 This specifically relates to senior leaders and the manager ensuring that all children are safe.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the statement of purpose being amended with changes to the staff team and a copy being sent to Ofsted. 26 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary, in the interests of the safety or welfare of children. (Regulation 33 (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the delay in immediate suspension of the staff following a serious allegation against a child. 26 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located. (Regulation 34 (1)(b) (2)(b)) 26 February 2021

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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

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 26 February 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 5 This relates to the manager ensuring that notifications are sent to Ofsted without delay.

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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 Mountain Homes Limited

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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

Sue Hatton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1264438 6 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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