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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited Full 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2020 and is suitably qualified.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/05/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. One child who previously lived in the home has moved to a placement closer to their home authority.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff focus strongly on providing individualised care. They see the children as unique individuals, and they focus on each child’s strengths and potential. This approach values and respects the children and creates a positive culture that is leading to improved outcomes. Relationships between the staff and children are warm and nurturing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff complete individualised, detailed care plans in relation to children’s needs and how they will be supported. Staff implement these plans effectively, with regular updates and reviews to reflect children’s changing needs and progress. This demonstrates that staff have a clear understanding of their roles in promoting children’s well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy good health, and they have access to specialist services and support to promote their physical and emotional well-being. They are encouraged and supported to attend routine health appointments. The manager ensures that there are appropriate arrangements in place for the safe administration and management of medicines to promote the safety and well-being of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education settings according to their needs and abilities. Staff work in partnership with education departments and other relevant professionals to make sure that children have every opportunity to increase their academic ability and reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with family and friends where it is safe to do so. There are clear arrangements in care planning documents. Staff often travel significant distances with children to ensure that family relationships continue. This helps the children to have a sense of belonging and enables them to have positive experiences and maintain links to significant people in their lives.

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

Children are safe at the home because staff are knowledgeable about their needs and prioritise their safety. Staff work together effectively, and this consistent approach means that children understand the rules and boundaries in place that promote their protection and well-being.

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

Individualised risk management plans are in place for each child. These plans help the staff to safeguard children by identifying their risks and vulnerabilities and setting out strategies to minimise risks. Review and development of the plans are ongoing as risks change and to ensure that the plans remain effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 4 Positive behaviour management techniques support the children to think about why they experience different behaviours, and how some of their negative behaviours can affect those around them. Key-work meetings support the children to understand how their experiences can manifest in challenging behaviours, and this support reduces the children’s anxieties and feelings of distress.

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

Individualised missing-from-home risk assessments and protocols are in place, which provide clear guidance for staff about the steps that they should follow if a child goes missing from home. Incidents of children going missing from this home do not occur on a regular basis. On the occasions that they do occur, staff take effective action to help ensure that children are safeguarded while they are missing.

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

Children live in a safe and secure environment. There are effective health and safety systems in place. Regular fire drills ensure that children know how to exit the building safely and quickly in the event of an emergency.

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

When appointing staff, the home follows safer recruitment practice guidelines. This means that only those deemed suitable to work with vulnerable individuals look after children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s consistent and positive style of management has brought the staff together to form a skilled, committed and highly motivated team. Staff morale is good, and the staff feel valued and appreciated. The manager is supported by a competent deputy manager who ensures that the high standards set by the manager are maintained in his absence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training records show that staff benefit from a diverse range of appropriate training to develop their knowledge skills and professional practice. This means that staff are well trained to meet the individual needs of children. Most staff hold a level 3 diploma in residential childcare, and other members of staff are still within the regulatory period to obtain their qualification. All staff discuss their development and training needs in their supervision meetings, and they have opportunities to reflect on the progress of each child living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a very good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. He regularly scrutinises and monitors activities and practice to ensure that the children receive the services that they need. The manager has strong links with other agencies and professionals to ensure that children have access to specialist services and receive coordinated support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has demonstrated a willingness to be assertive with partner agencies. For example, the manager has advocated well for a child in respect of ongoing transition plans, to ensure that the views of the child and her family are heard and prioritised. Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 5

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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: 2537375 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: Nurture Childcare Services Ltd, Seighford Hall, Clanford Road, Seighford, Stafford ST18 9NL

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2537375 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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