Children's home run by Blossom Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 1 Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is without a registered manager. A new manager was appointed in March 2023 and has applied to register with Ofsted. Ofsted is in the process of arranging the suitable person interview.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/09/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child lived in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved in, and two children have moved out. One child was supported to move into semi-independent living in line with their care plan. They remain in contact with some staff due to the strong relationships they have built with them. One child left earlier than planned because of concerns that their individual needs could not be met safely in the home. Staff and managers have continued to provide outreach support for this child. This means the child has familiar people to help them settle into their new environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child in the home is making good progress in all areas of their life. The child told the inspector, ‘This is the best home I have been in.’ The child receives consistent care and support from a friendly and committed staff team. Staff understand the child’s reservations about working with male members of staff. This is being sensitively addressed. As a result, the child has trusted adults they can rely on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have high aspirations for the child. The child has completed their exams and enrolled onto a college course. There is a bespoke plan of independence to give the child support and guidance on preparing for adult life. The child has engaged with work, including on topics such as managing finances, higher education and legal rights. There are also plans for the child to spend time in the community independently. This is helping the child to take ownership of their future plans and confidently take steps towards adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys taking part in a variety of positive activities based on their interests. This includes going to the cinema, swimming, shopping and doing arts and crafts activities. Several pieces of artwork completed by the child take pride of place in the home. The child was also supported to attend their prom night in style. Through such activities, and staff capturing these experiences with photos, the child is able to have fun and create special memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff understand the importance of family time. The child is supported by staff to keep in touch with people who are important to them. This supports the child’s identity and emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys living in a comfortable, well-maintained and homely environment. This will be further enhanced when a sensory room is completed, ready for the child to use. Photos of the child are displayed with pride. Their bedroom is personalised and brought to life by their vivid artwork. This helps the child to be proud of their home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 4

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

The child’s safety and well-being are central to the staff’s and manager’s practice. There are individualised plans in place to support staff to understand and meet the child’s evolving needs. For example, staff acted quickly when the child inappropriately used their phone and social media. They managed the situation and updated professionals. Staff undertook work with the child to support the child’s understanding of the risks. An updated agreement was also developed with the child to make safer decisions. The manager continues to support new staff to remain curious about the child’s online activity. This has led to reduced incidents and the child remaining safe.

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

Staff know what to do when children go missing from home. They acted appropriately when children who previously lived in the home went missing. Staff have followed the children’s missing-from-care plans. They worked with the wider professional network to try to locate children and return them back home safely. The incidents were recorded in a timely manner. Plans are also updated, and the manager retains oversight of all incidents. This has led to staff supporting children who have gone missing from home effectively.

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

The manager and staff have a strong ethos of multi-agency working. This helps them to continue developing their understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities. For example, police community support officers visit the home when staff identify new risks. This has contributed to children being well supported. Children and staff have been able to discuss issues such as substance misuse and motorbiking. This has helped children to understand their actions and the relevant legislation and make safer decisions.

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

Staff respond to challenging behaviour appropriately. Routines, boundaries and rewards are agreed with the child, enabling them to understand the impact of their decisions on themselves and others. There have been no incidents of physical intervention for the child living at the home. When staff have had to physically intervene, this has been with a child who previously lived in the home. Physical intervention was used by trained staff as a last resort to prevent this child from harming themselves and others. The manager regularly reviewed these incidents to support staff practice. This child’s social worker told the inspector that the manager and staff have gone above and beyond to support this child.

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

Safeguarding incidents and allegations are well managed. The staff and manager take appropriate action swiftly. They communicate effectively with other professionals to ensure that the child remains safe in their home. The child is also supported to engage with meaningful direct work. This helps them to understand and reflect on incidents and feel reassured by staff.

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

Safer recruitment procedures are followed. Regular monitoring of staff helps to ensure that people who are recruited remain suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and committed responsible individual alongside a Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 5 suitably qualified new manager. The manager is also supported by two deputy managers. This leadership team has a clear focus and ongoing drive to embed a culture of improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a clear plan for the ongoing development of staff and the managers. This is underpinned by a wide range of training, including mandatory training and additional courses that reflect the needs of the child. The considerable turnover of staff has only had a minimal impact on the child as this has been managed well. The child told the inspector that they still have trusted and familiar adults they can rely on. There remains a core team of staff that is suitably qualified and experienced. New staff members are carefully inducted and supported by the manager and more experienced colleagues. This means the child continues to benefit from good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff have regular supervision. This is bolstered by one-to- one mentoring sessions to discuss additional training and development needs. This leads to staff being supported to deliver consistent practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been extensive staff consultation to identify areas of strength and development in practice. This inclusive approach supports staff to take ownership of and responsibility for their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring and review systems are effective. The manager has regular oversight of the quality of care in the home and the impact of this on the child’s progress. They have also challenged the independent visitor on occasions when their report has been delayed. Due to this robust approach to monitoring, all recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers actively promote equality and diversity. This is reflected through the diverse staff team and activities with the child. For example, there are regular nights for children to learn about and discuss a range of cultures. This equips the children with essential knowledge and respect for diversity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals, including education and social workers, shared positive feedback with the inspector. This feedback recognises that the manager and staff deliver child- centred practice. This leads to the child benefiting from positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 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: 2617199 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Staton Young, Anglesey House, Anglesey Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3NT

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Inspector

Nurul Kabir, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2617199 8 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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Inspector

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