Children's home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 1

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Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to two children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 5 July 2021.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 19 and 20 July 2022. Following this inspection, Ofsted issued a notice to restrict accommodation and two compliance notices under regulation 11 (the positive relationships standard) and regulation 12 (the protection of children standard). Ofsted also raised a further two requirements. These requirements have not been assessed as part of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to review the progress and actions taken to meet the compliance notices and review the provider’s adherence with the notice of restriction. The provider has not admitted any children since the last inspection. There was one child living in the home at the time of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments now identify clear strategies for staff to use when addressing the child’s challenging behaviours. This guidance is used by staff in their practice. Furthermore, staff are now undertaking regular, planned key-work sessions with the child.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have ensured that staff have the appropriate training and skills to meet the specific needs of the child in the home. Staff have been provided with relevant training, including behaviour management and behaviour de-escalation, and further training has been planned. Regular team meetings and supervision meetings have provided further opportunities for the staff to reflect and learn. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 2 Health and safety management has improved. All substances that could cause harm to children are kept securely in a locked cupboard that only staff have access to.

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This monitoring visit

Relationships between the child and staff are improving. Since the last inspection, there has been a marked reduction in incidents. Restraint has not been used and consequences are rarely applied. The child is encouraged to display socially acceptable behaviour and receives positive praise when she does so. This has contributed to the now calm atmosphere in the home. Staff ensure that the child is given clear messages that bullying will not be tolerated. The child’s recent completion of online training and workbooks has reinforced this.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive regular supervision. Leaders and managers have fully explored relationship building along with safeguarding issues, and they have encouraged the staff to reflect on their practice. Consequently, the staff feel supported and are keen to continue to improve the quality of care that they provide.

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This monitoring visit

The child told the inspector that she feels safe living in the home and that it is a much calmer place to be. She added that her relationship with some of the staff is especially good and she can talk about important things to them. There is evidence that this young person has become safer over time, especially following the work completed by leaders and managers to introduce clearer structures and boundaries in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that sufficient progress has been made to meet the compliance notices. The notice to restrict accommodation remains in place. Ofsted will undertake a further unannounced visit to review this.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2022 Full Inadequate 24/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 3

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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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 29 September

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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.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and 29 September Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 4 the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that Ofsted receives independent visitor reports in a timely manner.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 5

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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

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2627054 6 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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