Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Ealing

Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 1 SC414516 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care to three children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted for this home since June 2010. He is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/03/2022 Full Outstanding 25/02/2020 Full Outstanding 23/01/2019 Full Outstanding 23/05/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 3

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outstanding

Children live in a warm and welcoming home environment. Bedrooms are personalised to reflect children’s individual interests. A social worker said, ‘The home has a homely feel and staff make a real effort to make it this way.’ Children are involved in the development of the garden area. Children develop their social skills and talents. This promotes a sense of belonging for children.

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outstanding

Children benefit from having exceptionally strong relationships with staff. Staff provide excellent care to the children which is tailored to their individual needs. One social worker said, ‘Staff have an excellent understanding of his [the child’s] needs and go the extra mile to care for him.’ This high-quality care gives children a solid foundation and supports them to make progress.

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outstanding

Children education generally takes place in a designated education facility on site. Teaching staff are creative with how they deliver education are prioritised. Children make excellent progress. For example, one child has progressed significantly with their phonics skills. A social worker said, ‘Education is going well and is tailored to [name of child]’s needs.’

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outstanding

Staff encourage children to do a variety of activities, both in the home and the wider community. Community activities include swimming, going to the local gym, boxing, and football. One child has learned how to swim. Staff use their interests and knowledge to provide children with a variety of activities. This includes teaching them how to play the guitar, photography, gardening and about wildlife. Creative photos taken by children are displayed around the home. Children take pride in their new skills, which promote their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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outstanding

Staff recognise the value of continued family relationships. Children are very well supported when spending time with their family. The manager talks to the child’s social worker if there are any difficulties. This ensures children have a positive experience.

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outstanding

Moving on to independence for children is extremely well supported by staff. The manager and staff have developed a ‘final journey’ folder for children to keep. It is tailored to the child’s specific needs. The folder includes information to help children adjust to living independently, for example, registering with a GP, managing bills and doing their cleaning. One child said, ‘I wouldn’t be what I am if it wasn’t for here. The staff have really helped me.’ Staff support children to develop life skills, which helps them achieve positive outcomes. Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 4

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outstanding

Children’s risks are identified and well understood by staff. Risk assessments are clear and highly detailed. They include how a child may present and how staff can support them if they are struggling to manage their emotions. Staff encourage children to reflect on their actions and help them to understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Good assessments ensure staff have the knowledge to keep children safe.

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outstanding

Positive behaviour is promoted by staff and consequences are not used. The ethos of the home, promoted by the manager, is that children are rewarded for positive behaviour. One social worker said, ‘Rules and boundaries are consistent and appropriate for [name of child]’s age and needs.’

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outstanding

Children do not go missing. Risk assessments do consider this, which ensures staff know what action to take if children do go missing. There have been no complaints or allegations made against staff by children. Children are safe and protected and risks are minimal.

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outstanding

Staff are committed and enthusiastic about achieving the best outcomes for children. They have an excellent understanding of children’s care plans. The manager and staff work together with external professionals to progress care plans for children. A social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has made tremendous progress.’

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outstanding

Physical intervention is extremely rare. When it is used, information is recorded very clearly. An opportunity to debrief is offered to children and staff. Staff help children to develop ways of managing their feelings more effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of staff and consistently high aspirations for children. He is ambitious, enthusiastic and experienced. The manager leads by example and supports staff in the care provided to children. Support is regular and not restricted to formal monthly supervision. One member of staff said, ‘The management team are exceptional and continue to provide support where needed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff work together to support children and each other. The manager has a clear presence in the home, spending most of his time with the children and staff. As a result, he is involved in the care provided to the children. This ensures children and staff are supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Education and care staff work together to provide consistent and effective care to children. Education is not restricted to school hours and is creative. All staff support consistent progress for children’s development. Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 5 The staff have regular team meetings. There is a clear agenda which includes safeguarding children and children’s individual needs. A member of staff said, ‘Team meetings are great, the team is great, and we communicate really well.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff training and induction are effective, helping staff develop skills and provide excellent care to children. The training is enhanced by the knowledge shared by staff within the team. One member of staff said, ‘The home has been key to my own continuous professional development and has enabled me to strive to be the best residential support worker I can.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent oversight and knowledge of the children and staff team. The development plan includes training that will help staff support children’s individual needs. The manager and staff verbally reflect on their practice and care of the children, but this is not consistently being recorded. The manager has already made the changes needed, but these are not yet embedded. Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: SC414516 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 20-21, Pullman Business Court, Mallard Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8GX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pradeep Manaktala

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Inspector

Kathryn Hurley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC414516 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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