Children's Home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a new manager in post, who took up the position in April 2023. Ofsted is currently processing her application for registration.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/06/2022 Full Good 04/05/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, two children have left the home and two children have been welcomed into the home and have both settled in well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are engaged in education that is based on their individual needs and abilities. All children have good attendance at their education provisions. Their educational achievements are positive, considering both their attainment and progress from their starting points. Staff support and encourage children to complete homework and to access activities to support their overall educational attainment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have clear health plans and are registered with the relevant primary healthcare services. Staff receive guidance from relevant professionals to support their work with individual children and to implement agreed strategies and support. This provides continuity for each child. Medication is stored safely, and records are maintained on the administration of medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience individualised care that is tailored to their specific needs and vulnerabilities. Children feel listened to and staff respond to their worries and apprehensions with empathy and compassion. This helps children to build relationships and develop a sense of belonging and self-worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff work closely with placing authorities to promote time with family and friends that is positive and safe for children. This ensures that children continue to build relationships and attachments with those significant to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, assessment processes to ensure that staff can meet the children’s needs are not effective. For example, assessments for two children moving into the home were completed on the same day as they arrived. This can lead to children moving into the home without their needs being fully assessed.

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

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and the risks that some behaviours may pose to their welfare and safety. Good levels of supervision and support, alongside good-quality risk assessments, are used to protect children and minimise the risk of harm.

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

Staff receive regular safeguarding training and have a good understanding of their duties in promoting children’s welfare. This ensures that staff are confident in the procedures to follow should any concerns arise. Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 4 The manager ensures that staff comply with locally agreed protocols for children who go missing from care. When children go missing, staff liaise with the police and complete detailed records of actions taken. Children have access to an independent person to speak to on their return home. This helps staff to consider information that may help to protect children from going missing again.

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

The staff team provides firm boundaries, clear routines and structure. This approach helps children feel secure and safe. Staff know children well and recognise their changing moods and potential triggers for any behaviours of concern.

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

Staff carry out regular health and safety checks and follow a range of safety procedures to protect children from potential hazards. These include holding fire drills, to ensure that children know what to do in case of an emergency.

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

The staff recruitment and selection process are thorough. Managers do not confirm any new staff appointments until all checks have been completed. These measures positively promote the safety of the children by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. She is supported by a team of staff who are committed to helping children and improving their life chances and opportunities. This means that children in the home are supported by staff who strive to ensure that their experiences are positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although there have been some recent changes in the staff team, a core group of staff remain who have continued to provide continuity of care. New staff become familiar with their role and develop the required skills and competencies through induction processes and training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training records show that staff benefit from regular training so that they have the skills and competencies necessary to meet the individual needs of the children that they look after. There are systems in place to ensure that training is regularly updated or refreshed. Most staff hold a level 3 diploma in residential childcare, and other members of staff are working towards their qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers support staff through regular supervision and appraisal. This enables staff to talk about the children, reflect on their working practice and discuss their own development needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and the manager have established good working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in the children’s care. Staff work closely with teachers, social workers and health professionals. The manager challenges partner agencies appropriately and effectively when required. Consequently, children know that they can trust the staff to advocate for them. Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 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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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that children have a positive experience of moving into the home. 14 September

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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: 2537375 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seighford Hall, Clanford Road, Seighford, Stafford ST18 9NL

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2537375 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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