Children's Home run by Park Blue Homes Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 1 Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four children who have had adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in May 2021, the experiences and progress for children have been varied. Three children have moved from the home due to serious incidents that occurred. Significant self-harm led to one child requiring admission to hospital. This ensured that they received support with their mental health. During a stay in hospital, the staff continued to provide care and support until alternative care arrangements were made by the local authority.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A serious incident occurred in December 2021 that involved children causing extensive damage to the home and physically assaulting the manager and staff. The emergency services were called to the home and, as a consequence, arrangements were made for two children to move. Leaders and managers recognised that they could not meet the complex needs of these children after the serious incident. The two children did not move out immediately, and the staff ensured that the children left with gifts and photographs of their time living at this home. However, due to the crisis that led to the children having to move, this was not a positive experience for the children involved.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers undertake a review when a child moves away from the home to consider what went well, what could have been better, and lessons learned. The review of the first child that left in July 2021 identified that there had been a lack of information provided by the local authority. An action point from this review was to ensure that all care planning documents are received before a child comes to live in this home. Leaders and managers failed to adhere to this learning. Full documentation was not received for the child that came to live here in November 2021, which contributed to them having to leave in December.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers subsequently ensured that all care planning documentation was received for the child that moved here in February 2022. In addition, this child had the opportunity to visit the home twice before moving in and was fully involved in the process. The manager ensured that the child was fully consulted. The child was encouraged to express their likes and dislikes in order that the team can actively meet their needs and wishes. The social worker reports that the manager and staff are working well in partnership to ensure that the child’s needs can be met.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progress is evident for two of the children that have lived at this home since the previous inspection. The children are now settled in this home and making progress socially and emotionally. For one child, the frequency of expressing their distress, by Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 3 hitting out at the staff, has significantly reduced. Consequently, for this child, there has only been one incident that required physical intervention in the last three months. Full school attendance for another child is a great achievement considering their previous experience of not attending regularly. At the time of this inspection, all three children were in full-time education. The children reported that they have no concerns and were observed to have positive relationships with the manager and staff team.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The organisation has recently employed a psychotherapist and an emotional literacy support assistant. These new appointments are readily available to support staff to increase their understanding of the children’s presenting behaviour, and how to promote emotional well-being.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have taken action to address the five requirements raised at the last inspection. All safeguarding incidents are appropriately reported to other agencies. One new requirement relating to care planning is raised from this inspection.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved her leadership skills, ensuring the team members are suitably trained and motivated. Team meetings have provided a forum to look at the quality standards within the children’s homes regulations. The manager has encouraged the staff to consider their practice and how this can be continually improved. Temporary staff now receive supervision, which is an improvement since the last inspection.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from creative and fun-packed activity planners. Children have extended their interests to join clubs for swimming, football, art and after-school study. Three children enjoyed a summer holiday where they chose to go camping at an activity centre. This involved new experiences of kayaking and other outdoor adventures. The impact of COVID-19 has been managed well. To ensure a child didn’t miss out on birthday celebrations during self-isolation, a small party was held on the landing with a birthday cake.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are reviewed and updated to ensure that the risks identified are current. Staff are notified of any changes and are required to read the assessments, then sign to say they understand them before they support children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has been decorated throughout with new furniture in the lounge. The damage caused to the home in December has all been repaired or replaced. Children say they like their bedrooms and have chosen the style and colours. A bolt on a bathroom door prevents access in the event of an emergency, and therefore requires an alternative style of lock. Windows are fitted with restrictors. This restrictive practice requires a review. The manager reports that the window restrictors are no longer required and will arrange for them to be removed. Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/07/2019 Full Good 05/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.5

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii)iii)) 31 March 2022

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children as a homely and domestic environment. In particular, they should remove any bolts from doors and review the use of window restrictors. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 6 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 7

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fairfield Lodge, Evenwood Gate, Bishop Auckland DL14 9NH

p.7

Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1274341 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8