Children's home run by Blossom Care Group Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 1 Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is without a registered manager. A new manager has recently been appointed and their start date is to be confirmed.

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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 this inspection, 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: 2617199 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home in a planned and positive way. This was in line with the child’s wishes and feelings to enable them to be closer to their friends and school. No new children have moved into the home. Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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The care of children

Staff support children to attend routine health appointments, such as dental and optician appointments. They also support children to access counselling services, when necessary, to help them with their emotional well-being. Good support ensures that children’s physical and emotional needs are being met.

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The care of children

Children enjoy activities with staff, including go-karting, swimming and boxing. Children have also been on a holiday with staff and had a good time.

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The care of children

Staff are carrying out direct work with children to address concerns relating to cannabis and alcohol use. In addition, staff have carried out work with children to increase their understanding of online safety, healthy relationships and consent, and keeping safe in the community. This work is ongoing and supporting the children to keep safe.

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The care of children

Staff have not supported a child effectively to learn appropriate independence skills. While some work is being carried out, this does not go far enough to fully prepare the child for their next steps.

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The care of children

Children’s day-to-day routines lack structure and consistency. This means that children are not always clear about the plans for their day. Recent changes for one child mean that they are not currently in education or employment. This child spoke with the inspector and said that they do not know what their plan is and what they will be doing in the coming weeks.

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The safety of children

Concerns relating to children being at risk of exploitation have been responded to well by the responsible individual. She has compiled a risk management plan in conjunction with the police, the children and their social workers. This plan is being implemented and is helping to manage and reduce risk to children.

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The safety of children

Children have been involved in incidents in the home where they have damaged furniture and have assaulted staff. The records for these incidents seen by the inspector show that staff have been able to work with children to prevent such Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 3 incidents from escalating further. In addition, reflective work has been carried out with children to help them understand the impact of their behaviours on themselves and others.

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The safety of children

There have been a few occasions when staff have physically restrained children to keep them safe. Such occasions are rare. Managers review such incidents, and children’s risk assessments are updated with any new information to help staff with strategies to continue to support children.

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The safety of children

When complaints are received, these are addressed appropriately and promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The responsible individual is providing day-to-day oversight of the home along with two deputy managers. This is an interim measure until the newly appointed manager commences their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff have completed training that is relevant to their role, including mandatory training. More than half the staff team is qualified and there is a consistent core staff team working in the home to meet the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Not all staff receive regular supervision. As a result, some staff have not had opportunities to reflect on and develop their practice. However, the responsible individual has started to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The provider has completed a review of the quality of care and submitted this to Ofsted within the required time frame. The report gives an overview of children’s progress. However, the review does not include the views of children and others. Therefore, it is not clear how managers are considering feedback from others to improve the service. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/09/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that, in line with children’s ages and plans, staff work with children to help them learn independent life skills. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)  The registered person should ensure that children’s day-to-day routines are consistently planned and promote their learning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that staff receive supervision in line with the home’s supervision policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that the review of the quality of care includes the views of children and others and that their feedback contributes to the development of the service. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations,

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 19, Anglesey Business Centre, Anglesey Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3NT

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Inspector

Shazana Jamal, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 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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