Children's Home run by Blackford Education (schools) Ltd in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 1 SC485427 Registered provider: Blackford Education (schools) Ltd 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 company. The statement of purpose advises that the home can accommodate a maximum of two children with social and emotional difficulties. The care packages usually include the provision of education at the company’s school. An additional registered manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2020. She is in day-to-day control of the home.

p.1

Inspection date: 15 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 29 November 2021

p.1

Inspection date: 15 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 15 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 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 this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection leaders and managers took action to address the previous requirements. Staffing levels have been reviewed; decisions about how staff are deployed to better meet children’s needs are clearly documented. Staff have reported anonymously to Ofsted that they feel the home works better with two members of staff on shift.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, there have been three incidents of restraint at the home. These were found to be proportionate and necessary to keep the child and staff safe. Two of these incidents occurred when there were two members of staff on duty. On one occasion, staff were able to use the ‘change of face’ approach, which worked effectively to de-escalate the situation. The second incident did not require a second member of staff, who was able to remain with the other child in the home. Debriefs with staff and children are timely and thorough. However, on one occasion, the manager did not record speaking with the second member of staff on duty.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following an incident, one child voiced that they no longer wanted to live in the home. While they did not wish to make a complaint, the manager supported them to speak with their social worker and advocated on their behalf. There are now plans for this child to move out of the home and the child feels happy with this decision. Leaders and managers have been child-focused in orchestrating this move and advocating that this happens at the child’s pace. The manager has created a transition report for the child’s new provision, detailing all pertinent information to the child and their care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s care plans and risk assessments have been updated. These are more individualised to the child and provide staff with key phrases to use as well as giving a rationale for the staff to understand the reasons behind the caring practices. However, for one child, there is strong reference made to a condition for which they have not been diagnosed and could be misleading.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are attending activities, with one child attending a community group weekly. The other child remains undecided about clubs, although these are offered to them. However, staff have encouraged and facilitated a play date with a friend from school. Both children are provided with opportunities to develop their independence skills. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 3 The children continue to attend school daily, and education is promoted at this home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment is a welcoming and relaxing space, which resembles a family home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Review mechanisms need more work. The independent person does not offer robust scrutiny or challenge in their reports or make recommendations for further development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/05/2019 Full Outstanding 16/08/2018 Full Good 14/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the review of the care provided by the home identifies areas of strength and possible weaknesses in the home’s care. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. In particular, ensure that the report is self- challenging to drive improvement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)  The registered person should ensure that the independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the quality of the home’s care. In particular, that the independent person conducts some visits unannounced to capture the day-to-day running of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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.

p.5

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: SC485427 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blackford Education (schools) Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Blackford House, Blackford, Minehead TA24 8SY

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered managers: Gina Dyer Stacy Ward

p.6

Inspector

Katie Ratcliffe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC485427 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.

p.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7