Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 1 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

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to five young people with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2022.

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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 good

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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: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/05/2022 Full Good 13/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 3

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outstanding

Children receive highly individualised care. The manager and staff know children very well. They go above and beyond their roles every day to ensure children feel loved and cherished. Children can express their personalities and interests in their own unique ways. They are valued and accepted for who they are. Staff are skilled and confident in different methods of communication. This ensures that children are fully included in everyday conversations and activities. The manager and staff strive to help children meet their potential. Children are settled and are making exceptional progress.

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outstanding

The manager and staff include children in their care planning. Children are fully aware of their short-term and longer-term plans. For example, they communicate with staff daily about their activities and know their routines. Children have visual aids to help them plan and manage their day. This ensures children have the structure and predictability they need. There is a good balance between activity and relaxation. Children have opportunities to discuss their wider care plans and have support with significant events. There has been some excellent work to support one child who is moving on to his new home. This has helped him to manage a very important change in his life with minimal anxiety.

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outstanding

Children’s sensory needs are well met. The home is spacious and has areas where children can be alone or with others. There is an established garden where children grow vegetables and can enjoy the outdoor space. Children take part in a wide range of activities, including holidays and day trips. The manager and staff have undertaken some outstanding work to ensure that children can access the local community, for example ensuring shops and cafes adapt their premises to meet children’s individual needs. Their work in this area has been particularly creative.

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outstanding

The manager has built up excellent relationships with people who are important to the children. She has made this a priority. Children regularly spend time with their families and their previous carers. This has been important for all children in terms of their identity and also having a sense of belonging. Arrangements are reviewed regularly, which has resulted in a steady increase for some children. Children become happier knowing they can see the people they care about.

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outstanding

Children are making extraordinary progress with their education. They are achieving academically and with other activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and music lessons. Where children struggle with group learning, the manager and staff ensure that bespoke education packages are implemented so that children continue to learn. Children master new skills, which have been acknowledged with a range of awards. This helps to build their self-esteem and confidence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 4 The manager and staff are attentive to children’s health needs. Children’s medications are well organised and administered with care. Children receive excellent support when attending health appointments. This means they receive the best possible care in a way that they can understand and cope with. This helps children to feel safe and secure when they are at their most vulnerable.

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outstanding

Children know their rights and the complaints procedure. They have independent advocates to speak to. There is an ongoing open dialogue with children about their likes and dislikes. This means that children can express their wishes and feelings regularly. When children do complain, they receive clear responses in a timely way. Children are asked for their views about the outcomes and can take their complaints further if needed.

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

Children are kept safe from harm. The manager and staff know the risks posed to and from children well. Risk management plans are very detailed and contain accurate information. They are clearly written and staff keep up to date with any changes. Risk management plans are shared with relevant professionals. Where new risks emerge, these are responded to in a timely way. Proportionate strategies are in place to help children stay safe.

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

Children have trusted relationships with their carers. The whole team has an endless amount of time and patience for children. The manager and staff use humour, sensitivity and empathy to help children cope with difficult feelings. Children have access to an in-house counsellor to work through feelings of loss and grief, which helps them to process what has happened in their lives. Over time, children learn how to manage their feelings in healthier ways.

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

The manager and staff were required to manage some serious incidents when a child was experiencing a difficult life event. Staff worked hard and used their skills and experience to ensure the child was kept safe. Physical interventions are used as a last resort and only to prevent children from hurting themselves or others. These interventions are recorded well and in detail with evaluation of where practice can improve. Children and staff have the opportunity to work through any feelings and thoughts following incidents.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. Where this has happened, staff ensure that children return quickly and safely. Online risks are also well managed. Where concerns arise, staff ensure that children are safeguarded and the relevant agencies are informed. As a result, children are kept safe from risks of exploitation.

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

The manager and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities well. Concerns raised by or about children are shared with relevant professionals, and safety plans are put into place quickly where needed. Children and staff are kept informed of the outcomes of any investigations in a timely way. Staff are recruited safely, which prevents children from being cared for by unsuitable adults. Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high aspirations for children, always ensuring that their rights, wishes and feelings are heard. She has great enthusiasm and wants children to get the best out of life and have new experiences. The manager is self-assured and assertive. She is not afraid to challenge professionals when it comes to getting the right services and outcomes for children. There are numerous examples of where she has advocated for children to ensure their needs are met. The whole management team is influential in terms of standing up for children’s rights.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have recruited a diverse and well-established team. The staff enjoy working at the home and say that managers are approachable and supportive. They work cohesively to meet the high standards set by the manager. Staff have access to a range of training that helps them to continue to meet the needs of children. Key training such as safeguarding and behaviour support is regularly refreshed to ensure staff maintain their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

New staff are well supported into their roles and have a well-structured induction. This helps them to settle in quickly and focus on getting to know the children. All staff receive regular supervision sessions that are reflective and focus on children’s needs. Staff have the opportunity to raise concerns and know they will be listened to. The quality of supervision ensures that children’s safety is always at the forefront of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is meticulous when making decisions about children moving into the home. Her information-gathering is thorough and she ensures that her staff have the skills to care for children effectively before children move in. The manager does not shy away from looking after children with multiple needs. She and her team have been able to help children who have been in acute distress when they moved into the home. This has had a significant impact for one child in particular who moved in under very difficult circumstances.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent relationships with her external colleagues. This has significantly improved the quality of children’s lives. Children have access to specialist services in times of need and rarely have to wait due to the tenacity of the managers. Professionals say that the manager and staff are ‘amazing’ and their dedication to children is commendable. Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 6

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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: 2561020 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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Inspectors

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Helen Walters, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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