Children's Home run by Park Blue Homes Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 1 Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Ltd 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 is registered to provide care for up to three children who have had adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours. At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home, including two siblings.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022, when this home was registered.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of the home. Two of the children, with the manager and staff team, moved as a family group from their previous children’s home to this home in November 2022. One child lived in the home for a short period of three months before moving on and then two younger children came to live here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four children are more than this home is registered to care for. At the time of the inspection, the provider was liaising with Ofsted for a temporary variation to their registration to increase numbers, to enable two siblings to be together. This decision was made in the best interests of children. The impact has been very positive, with the established children becoming more engaged in activities and events in the home, encouraged by the younger two. For example, all four children play football in the garden and enjoy doing craft and baking together. Staff say the introduction of the younger children has motivated the older two to become more involved and spend less time in their bedrooms. Sometimes, the older children teach the younger ones how to make cakes and biscuits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend school full time. One child was sitting exams during the inspection and is predicted to achieve good results. A college place for September has already been secured. Another child had a successful work experience placement in a hotel. Feedback from two schools is very positive about the care and support provided to the children. They welcome the effective communication from the manager and staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Beyond education, the children enjoy a wide range of clubs and activities such as football, youth club, music, cycling and going out on scooters. During the inspection, children were out on school trips, at youth club, visiting family and attending music therapy. When the children were at the home after school, they enjoyed a cool- down in the paddling pool in the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are comfortable in their surroundings and have a sense of belonging. The strength of relationships enables them to talk and laugh with the adults who care for them. Children say they like this home and generally they are happy here. The older children say the location of this home is much better than their previous home, which was very rural and had no public transport. Children’s wishes and views are sought regularly and acted on where possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are made aware of local, national and international events, to think of others and increase their tolerance and understanding. Some of the children have made cakes and taken them to the local care home for older people and on another occasion, they baked and sold cakes to fundraise for a national charity. Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 3

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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 difficulties. 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

One child went missing from home on several occasions, as they were drawn to be out with friends. The number of incidents escalated and the risks increased, as the child travelled to London, unplanned and without consultation with the staff team or their social worker. The manager and team remained curious and active in trying to prevent the child going missing and then arranging the child’s safe return. The manager recognised that this home was no longer suitable to meet the child’s needs and arranged for them to leave. Core members of staff spent time with the child before they moved. They were able to provide a positive ending, with a holiday, a meal out and gifts. The strength of relationships is evident as this child remains in touch and receives ongoing support from some staff, outside of the home.

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

There has been one use of restraint of a child and, on another occasion, a child was guided away from a situation to prevent someone being harmed. The rare use of restraint is reflective of the staff using their training and skills to de-escalate situations. Children are supported to manage their emotions and have incentives to assist in their social development. Incentives are individual to each child and relevant, to motivate them to make safe choices and enable their personal progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and qualified. She provided stability and reassurance to the children and the team when moving house. Her leadership minimised disruption and made the move a positive experience. The children and staff were fully involved in the move from the previous home, with children choosing their bedroom decor and items for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders made the decision to accommodate a family group to enable them to live together. This action breached the conditions of registration. However, it is recognised that the decision was made in the best interests of children. This arrangement is temporary, as the provider is preparing a new home for the family group to move to. Ofsted has received the application to vary the conditions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The established staff team moved from the previous home, providing stability and consistency of care to children. At times, agency and bank staff have been used, meaning there are additional adults for the children to get to know. A regular agency member of staff provides some cover overnight. This increased to two staff each night at the time of one child going missing from home. The core staff are committed and enjoy their work. They report that they feel supported and are trained to care for children effectively. Staff in senior positions are supported and mentored as trainee managers. This succession planning provides professional Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 4 development opportunities for the individual and continuityin appointing managers across the wider organisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager follows systems to monitor and review the care practices in the home. The monthly monitoring reports are good and contribute well to the quality of care review. The manager produced a review report of the first six months at this home and included feedback from children, family members, professionals and staff. However, the manager failed to conclude the review with an action plan to inform the development of the home for the next six months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders have introduced some research-informed practice that is making a positive difference to some children and contributing towards their progress. A programme of exercise and movement, negating the need for medication, is available to support areas of childhood development that may have been fractured or broken in the child’s early years. Professional support and assessment have been employed to administer this programme.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social care professionals report very positively on the quality of care provided at this home. One social worker said, ‘I am thankful to the staff for the love and care they showed [name of child] during this complex time in their life.’ Another commented, ‘I have found it refreshing to work with a placement who strive to provide the children they care for with a nurturing home-from-home environment. It always feels as though there is a lot of warmth and happiness in the home.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the review of quality of care report clearly identifies any actions required for the next six months in the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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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: 2712284 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Clare Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2712284 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 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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