Children's home run by Blossom Children’s Homes Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2612063 1 Registered provider: Blossom Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were four children and one young adult over the age of 18 years living at the home.

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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: 11 January 2023

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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: 2612063 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/01/2023 Full Good 07/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2612063 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The overall quality of care, care planning and children’s progress and experiences are good. Children make measurable progress in developing independence and social skills, such as with their personal care and friendships with other children in the home. Parents describe the staff team as ‘amazing and so supportive’, and they say that their children are ‘cared for and safe’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive thoughtful, sensitive and nurturing care from a stable staff team that has an extensive range of experience and skills. This ensures that children can develop trusting relationships and receive continuous care from adults who support them. All staff are suitably trained and qualified to meet the children’s needs, including being trained in a range of communication methods to ensure non-verbal children can actively participate in decisions about their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have individual placement plans that fully reflect their needs. Children are supported by motivated and aspirational staff who work collaboratively to ensure that children achieve their goals and potential. Children are provided with clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries as well as routines that meet their needs. This ensures that children feel safe and live in a stable and secure environment that reduces feelings of uncertainty. Staff regularly attend children’s reviews and share information about their progress to inform their care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use individualised communication techniques to sensitively help children to understand their day-to-day care arrangements. As a result, children understand their routines, which reduces their anxiety. Children are provided with a range of social, recreational and educational activities that meet their specific needs. This promotes children’s social development and opportunities to actively participate in their community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s weekly meetings and key-work sessions provide opportunities for children to influence the decisions about their care. For example, they can choose recreational activities and their food. Children are supported to see their family by staff facilitating family time.

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

Children receive effective help and support from staff who clearly understand their needs and vulnerabilities. Children are protected in the home and have individualised risk assessments that are updated to reflect emerging risk and need. Staff are sensitive to children’s triggers and work effectively to manage behaviours through effective and appropriate intervention strategies.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. Restraint is used in strict accordance with the legislative framework to protect children and others from harm. The staff Inspection report for children’s home: 2612063 4 record all incidents, and debriefs are provided to staff and children. Positive behaviour is encouraged through rewards so that children can enjoy additional treats while learning how to keep safe.

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

Staff understand child protection and know who they need to speak with should they have any concerns, including making referrals to the local authority designated officer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have been effective in providing good-quality help, protection and support to children living in the home. The registered manager is innovative and aspirational for all the children and ensures that each child receives high standards of individualised care. This includes challenging services and advocating on behalf of children to ensure that their needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have identified a range of commissioned services to provide specialist support to the children. This includes occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The ambition is for children’s therapeutic needs to be met quickly, reducing the potential for delay when support is required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the children’s needs and the progress that they are making. This includes identifying shortfalls in education provision and providing appropriate challenge and escalation when services are not delivering within the required timeframes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff induction programme and learning opportunities are comprehensive and ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to care for the children effectively. Training that is specific to the children’s needs is available to staff. Career progression is supported through the organisation’s appraisal process, and opportunities for staff to develop into senior roles are provided. This includes management skills workshops and increased responsibilities for experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is welcoming, friendly and child-centred. The registered manager is planning a refresh to address some general wear and tear in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Robust recruitment processes ensure that only suitable people are employed to work with children at the home. Staff spoken to during the inspection describe leaders and managers as helpful, supportive and approachable. Inspection report for children’s home: 2612063 5

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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, The 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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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home has a welcoming and homely environment. In particular, they should attend to the general wear and tear of the worn and stained rug and ensure that the shower door is made safe and secure. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2612063 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blossom Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Private Client, Unit 7-8, Moran House, 449-451 High Road, London NW10 2JJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Wakeling

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Inspector

Nicki Shaw, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2612063 7 regulates and 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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