Children's Home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It provides care for three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a new manager in post who took up position in September 2021. She is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 21 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 23 November 2021

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Inspection date: 21 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 21 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, five requirements were raised. The manager has taken action to meet the five requirements. At this inspection, two recommendations have been made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are three children currently living in the home. This includes a child that has been living at the home since the last inspection. Children who are new to the home are given a warm welcome by those children already living in the home and by the staff. This helps children to settle in quickly and develop a sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have developed trusting and respectful relationships with each other and staff. Children enjoy spending time together and get on well. This contributes to children feeling happy living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children engage in education and enjoy their learning experiences. Some children find a classroom environment difficult to engage in. As a result, children are provided with alternative learning arrangements that are delivered at a pace that meets their individual needs. A child said, ‘I am doing my work provided by the school. I asked to have a tutor to help me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive good-quality training that helps them provide support that meets the specific needs of children. For example, training in self-harm, eating disorders and autism spectrum disorders has equipped staff with the skills and knowledge to aid them in their role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager completes an impact risk assessment before any new children are placed in the home. This includes input from a range of people, including the child, staff and relevant professionals. This broad consultation by the manager means she can consider all aspects of risk before the child is placed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand how to support children to behave in socially acceptable and safe ways. This is done through gentle guidance, skilful redirection and de-escalation. As a result, there has not been any use of physical intervention since the last inspection. A child said, ‘I have improved my behaviour.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children thrive in their home environment. Staff encourage children to engage in hobbies of their choice. A child told the inspector that she attends cadets and a youth club. Another child talked about how much he loved going fishing and has now joined a fishing club. These opportunities help to improve children’s self-esteem and confidence. Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 3 Staff work hard to keep children safe and protected from harm. When children go missing from home, staff work efficiently with the police to ensure that children are returned home quickly. A child said, ‘I ran away, but now they listen to me, so I don’t run away.’ A parent provided the following feedback: ‘They have [name of child]’s best interest at heart. They keep him safe. I am very happy with all the staff. [name of child] has come so far since he’s been there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following an incident of self-harm, staff completed a search of the child’s bedroom to remove any items that could be used to injure the child. However, staff did not record the room search. Additionally, an electronic record of the child’s injuries could not be accessed at the time of the inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working remains effective and ensures that children are well cared for and supported. The manager is a strong advocate for children. She challenges services effectively to ensure that children’s rights are promoted. As a result, children feel valued and listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has refurbished the bathroom, and improvements to the garden are underway to create a vegetable plot. As a result, children invest in their home and are proud of where they live.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has worked hard to maintain staff consistency in the home. Staff retention is high. Children are cared for by staff who they trust. As a result, children remain settled in their placements at the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff record any searches made of a child’s bedroom. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that body map records kept electronically can be easily accessed by anyone with a legitimate need to view them and, if required, be reproduced in a legible form. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2)

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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: 2591708 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seighford Hall, Clanford Road, Seighford, Stafford ST18 9NL

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2591708 7 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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