Children's home run by Park Blue Homes Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 1 Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to five children who have had adverse childhood experiences and may have a learning disability. Children’s early-life experiences have led to associated trauma through loss and abuse. At the time of this inspection, five children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2022

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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: 2628430 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality care at this home. The five children have a wide range of differing needs, and these are met well within a family-group setting. Children have developed strong relationships with a core group of staff. This enables children to maintain positive attachments with the adults who care for them and a sense of security within the home to lessen the impact of the turnover of staff when they leave.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four of the children have a strong sense of belonging as they have lived together for some time. Three of these children having lived together for over five years. The children are settled and content living in this home. One child reported that when there are disagreements, the staff ‘sort it out 95% of the time’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house is pleasantly decorated and furnished. There are pictures of the children around the home and some printed photos on cushions in their bedrooms. Children are supported to keep in touch with family and friends who are important to them. For some, these arrangements have increased over the past year, in line with their wishes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are attending education. Within the home, older children are supported to prepare for their young adult lives, including support with exams, opening a bank account and applying for a provisional driving licence. These achievements help children to think of their future and to have aspirations beyond residential care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive many opportunities for new experiences. Activities can be big events such as trips to theme parks in this country and abroad or activities at home, such as baking and craft activities. One child experienced attending the theatre for the first time. Considering their sensory needs, this was a big achievement that was celebrated. Children are made aware of local, national and international events to think of others and increase their tolerance and understanding. Donations to the local food bank, discussions on Black History month and a celebration of international women’s day all contributed to raising children’s awareness of current affairs and their contribution to society.

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

Staff manage risk well and follow the measures documented in children’s risk assessments properly in order to keep children safe. An excellent document has been created to review elements of the risk assessments each month. This level of monitoring highlights when risks have reduced or increased and informs care planning effectively.

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

There is a significant reduction in the use of restraint since the last inspection. These interventions occur when children are harming themselves or others. Managers Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 4 undertake analysis of such incidents and identify patterns and trends. This level of monitoring has led to some increase in staff support at times when children are upset. This action is effective, resulting in far fewer incidents of restraint. The records made of such incidents are generally comprehensive. However, on more than one occasion, the precise location where restraint has taken place has been omitted. The absence of these details hinders the review of such restrictive practice.

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

Children are cared for by a team who are trained in safeguarding and understand the impact of childhood trauma and attachment. Allegations against adults and safeguarding concerns are appropriately reported to external agencies. Social care professionals report that they are satisfied that safeguarding concerns are taken seriously at this home and that the correct procedures are followed.

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

Children have not gone missing from this home. This is an indicator of the strength of relationships that exist between children and staff. When one child was missing at the end of the school day, staff actively searched the local area to find the child and return them to the home swiftly and safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous registered manager is now an operational manager for this home and others that are operated by the provider. The succession planning involving the coaching and mentoring of the deputy has been successful in that they are now the registered manager. The smooth handover of the management of the home ensured that there was minimal disruption for the children and staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has a good grasp of the strengths of the home and areas of development, which has been significantly informed by completing monthly monitoring reports. Wide consultation with children, their families, professionals and the staff team contribute to the home’s development plan. Children are regularly consulted through informal discussions and gatherings around the dinner table. Records of such discussions are made, and the children receive simple feedback in the style of, ‘you said… we did….’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff members spoken to during the inspection report that they enjoy their work, they feel supported and trained to do it well. Staff receive supervision to discuss their work and their professional development. Clinical supervision is provided to the team each month, which is a forum to discuss the most suitable approach to children’s presenting behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes within the staff team with people leaving and joining. A core team of nine staff have remained since the previous inspection, providing stability for children as new staff begin to form positive relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social workers report very positively about this home. ‘Children are cared for brilliantly. The home is great to work with. I have no complaints and always look forward to my visits.’ Another social worker said, ‘they are really good at Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 5 communicating same day or next. They are good at treating the children according to their needs and level of understanding, as individuals’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any records of restraint enable the registered person and staff to review the use of restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. In particular, ensure that the precise location is recorded as to where the restraint occurred. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: 2628430 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fairfield Lodge, Evenwood Gate, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 9NH

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Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2628430 8 inspects 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit

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Inspector

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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