Children's Home run by 247 Bluebell Care Limited in Luton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 1 Registered provider: 247 Bluebell Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children with complex social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 25 November 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/11/2021 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there was one child living at the home. They moved into the home in July 2021. Due to the child’s support needs, they have been the only child living at the home. As a result of the progress that the child has made, staff are preparing for another child to move in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is happy living at the home. They said that the move has been a very positive one for them after several previous placements which were not successful. They feel secure and happy and have formed positive relationships with staff, which makes them feel valued and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff know the child very well. The staff understand the impact of previous traumatic life experiences and the effect these have on well-being and behaviour. Staff show kindness and patience but establish and implement boundaries. This helps the child to clearly understand the expectations of positive behaviour and respect to others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress with their independence and life skills. They are supported to develop skills such as cooking, menu planning and shopping. The child said that this is important to them for building confidence and boosting self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are supporting the child to lead a healthier lifestyle that includes exercise and a balanced diet. Staff help the child to consider the benefits of being healthy, and set expectations for them. Staff proactively manage the child’s healthcare needs, communicating with relevant professionals and ensuring attendance at health appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, bright and clean. The child has decorated and styled their room to their own taste. They enjoy redecorating regularly and staff support and embrace this. However, the garden space has not yet been improved and maintained to encourage the child to use it.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers encourage the child to share their views in a safe and constructive way. The child said that staff are all very approachable, which gives the child confidence to speak up about any concerns. They feel listened to and that their contributions and ideas are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making progress in their education with support from the home’s staff. The manager is proactive in working with school staff to find a blended approach of school attendance and home tutoring. This has led to a higher level of attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to explore their identity, culture and faith. A parent said that the manager and staff have been instrumental in meeting their child’s cultural needs for the first time since living in care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child said that they feel very safe living at the home. All staff undertake training in safeguarding and identifying risks to children from exploitation, gangs and radicalisation. Staff all know how to report concerns to the provider or external agencies to help protect children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff provide guidance and mentoring to help the child understand age-appropriate behaviour in respect of their appearance and choosing clothes. Staff closely monitor the use of the internet and set clear expectations on the safe use of social media. Staff are measured and considered in setting boundaries and take into account the benefit of electronic devices for independence and social contact.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use good relationships as a base for managing behaviours and reducing risk. Senior staff guide and mentor team members to encourage positive behaviours in challenging situations. This has helped the child to be more in control of emotions and significantly reduce previous frequent behaviours that posed a risk to them, such as missing-from-home episodes. Since living at the home, the child has had no episodes of being missing from care. There have been no physical interventions, and sanctions have not been required.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Care plans emphasise the importance of de-escalation techniques to avoid incidents. Staff know the child very well and can anticipate triggers that can lead to aggressive behaviour. The child is always involved in self-reflection after any incidents of distress or challenge. They said that this is important and makes them feel safer and valued.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment processes have not been sufficiently robust to ensure that the manager has confirmed the reasons why people have left previous jobs working in care. Gaps in employment history have not always been explored. The provider has very recently introduced an electronic system to ensure that these checks are all completed before a staff member starts employment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well led, flexible in their approach and enthusiastic. Staff feedback is very positive about the impact that the manager has had at the home since starting in post. A parent credited the progress that their child has made to the manager and the staff team. The parent said, ‘There is such a vast difference now. It is all so positive. I no longer dread phone calls. Before, there was always a crisis, there never is now.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been supported by the newly appointed operations manager to design and implement monitoring and assurance systems. The experienced operations manager provides mentoring and coaching to the manager and senior staff team. This includes a workforce development plan to build and train a larger staff team in anticipation of another child moving to the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 5 Staff have the skills and experience required to support the child well. Staff are enthusiastic in engaging with training. Senior staff with relevant higher education qualifications use their knowledge and skills in research-based practice to upskill the staff team. Staff said that they feel confident that they have the skills to keep the child safe and to help them develop the skills they need for independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External monitoring of the home needs improving. The independent person has not undertaken regular consultation with children, families or placing authorities and the monthly reports lack critical scrutiny. The independent person has conducted a recent visit remotely. This does not drive improvement and reduces the additional safeguards intended by this monitoring. There is not sufficient oversight of this process by the provider to challenge and monitor the quality of the reports.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and detailed supervision and support, including setting development targets. Supervision meetings encourage staff to reflect on their practice. Team meetings are frequent and well structured. There is a clear expectation on staff to attend and contribute. Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 6

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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

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

The requirements are that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that if a person has previously worked in a position involving work with children or vulnerable adults, verification so far as reasonably practicable of the reason why the employment or position ended is obtained. Also, ensure that a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing, is obtained. 13 May 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b)) 31 May 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. Specifically, complete improvement and maintenance work in the garden area. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2611991 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 247 Bluebell Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Aw House, 6–8 Stuart St, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 2SJ

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Inspector

Jamie Cousins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2611991 9 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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