Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 1 Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to three children aged between eight and 18 years, with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, three children live in the home. However, one child was being supported to return to the care of their family and had not been sleeping at the home for approximately one month prior to this inspection visit. One child has lived here for over 12 months, while the third child moved in six months ago.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

The manager has reflected on previous approaches in light of the requirements made at the last inspection and adapted their care to improve outcomes for children. All children in the home are now up to date with their vaccinations and health appointments.

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The care of children

All children are now engaging in some level of education or training. One child attends school full time and has excellent attendance. The manager has advocated for additional support for the two other children, which the children are now receiving. One child has secured employment and the other is looking at training opportunities to increase their employability.

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The care of children

The home environment has seen some improvements and the children have been a part of this, choosing colour schemes and offering their ideas for different rooms. The walls are adorned with photos of the children enjoying various activities. One child continues to show an interest in and flair for cooking and staff were helping him to make sushi for the first time.

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The safety of children

Risks to children are better managed and understood by staff. Furthermore, all staff will be receiving training on substance misuse to increase their knowledge base. This is partly in response to learning from an incident that occurred for one child. During the incident, the child felt confident to seek the support of staff and the staff member acted quickly and appropriately to ensure the child’s safety. However, in the absence of the registered manager, leaders did not provide the staff with a debrief that was timely or sufficient considering the potential seriousness of the incident.

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The safety of children

Missing incidents have been largely well responded to, with the exception of one event when the home was being covered by managers from within the company. Missing protocols were not followed. Staff did not search for the child and were delayed in reporting to the appropriate agencies. This was identified immediately on the return of the registered manager and an evaluative piece of work was completed that identified action points. This child is no longer living in the home and the risk of missing incidents has significantly reduced.

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The safety of children

Both children are receiving weekly therapy from the company’s clinical team. One child specifically asked for this intervention, having previously been cautious to participate. This is being delivered in a timely way so as not to miss this opportunity Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 3 for the child. Further work will be required to ensure a successful move to independence.

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The safety of children

There has been one incident of restraint used in this home. The inspector found this to be proportionate and prevented a child from getting hurt. Debriefs with both the staff member and the child were of good quality, completed in a timely manner and offered opportunity for reflection on how things could be done differently next time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has a good understanding of the strengths and vulnerabilities of the home and has a comprehensive plan in place to address the areas of development. Developing the staff team’s knowledge is an area of focus for the manager at this time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has sought to develop their own practice and there is now appropriate management oversight within the home. Patterns in behaviour are being identified and any shortfalls in care are being raised appropriately. However, this improved monitoring practice needs further time to embed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, a child raised a complaint about a member of staff. This was well addressed by the manager and an appropriate course of action taken. The child was well informed during this process and the matter has been resolved.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/03/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 4

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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 registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the missing child policy") setting out—

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Requirement Due date

the steps taken, and to be taken, to prevent children from being absent without permission; and

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Requirement Due date

the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent. (Regulation 34 (4)(a)(b)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that those working in the home fully understand the expectations of them when children go missing and that staff actively search for children when missing from the home. 15 December

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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 promotes their welfare.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and 15 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 5 understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that leaders and managers embed their monitoring of the home.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are supported to prepare for their futures and independence effectively. 15 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30, Chivenor Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4AY

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Inspector

Katie Ratcliffe, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2619357 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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Inspector

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