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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 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 provides care for three children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 12 June 2023. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 16 November 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/11/2022 Full Outstanding 21/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children were living at the home at the time of inspection. Children like living in this home. They speak positively about staff and the manager, who understand their lived experiences and needs. Children have warm and trusting relationships with staff. This means they accept support and encouragement that helps them to make progress in many areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into and out of the home are managed well. Two of the children moved in a few months before this inspection. Since the last inspection, one child has moved back to their parent’s care and one child moved to semi-independent living. These moves were in line with the children’s plans. Staff celebrated these children’s achievements and progress. These special memories were captured in photo journals that the children took with them. This thoughtful work has resulted in one child remaining in contact with staff at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s health and support them to attend routine and specialist health appointments. One child has developed the confidence to book their own appointments. All the children have been accessing therapeutic support from the in- house psychologist . This means children receive appropriate support regarding their health. One child’s social worker said they value the approach taken by staff to help children develop good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children attend school regularly. One child is waiting for a local school place. The manager’s persistence has resulted in a tutor being secured for the child while a specialist education assessment is being carried out. When children struggle with their education or peer relationships, staff work well with teachers. They identify appropriate support to re-engage children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A variety of positive activities are enjoyed by children. They have been on day trips and to museums and enjoy cooking and gaming. One child has also taken part in a charity run as part of a coordinated effort by staff to promote a healthier lifestyle for the child. These activities encourage children to have fun, develop social skills and stay fit.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious and well presented. Children like their bedrooms. One child’s bedroom needs new flooring, and this is being arranged by the manager. Children take some responsibility for the care of the house pets, including a chicken and a rabbit. Children enjoy exploring and playing in the extensive gardens. The wider grounds that the house is situated in need maintaining, and the manager acknowledges this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s relationships with people who are important to them. One child wishes to visit their older sibling. Because of the circumstances, this will take some Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 4 careful planning. The registered manager is working with the wider professional network to arrange this and manage any future visits safely.

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

Detailed risk assessments and support plans provide staff with clear strategies and guidance. This helps them keep children safe and well. These assessments are regularly reviewed to make sure that staff have the most up-to-date information about children.

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

The manager and staff help children to learn about risks to them in the wider community and online. This understanding of risk is enhanced by direct work and informal conversations. As a result, one child has been trusted to make safer decisions while online and using electronic devices.

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

Staff manage children’s behaviour well, using a therapeutic parenting approach. This is underpinned by consistent routines and boundaries. Staff have not had to physically intervene to keep children or others safe. Children have not made any complaints or allegations about staff. Children respond positively to the care they receive from staff, who are attuned to their needs.

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

When children have gone missing from home, staff have followed the children’s plans. They have searched for them and worked with other professionals to return them home safely. However, on one occasion, two children went missing from care when staff supervision was not robust. On another occasion, the same two children went missing as staff were not as curious about the children’s behaviours as they could have been. Further to this, staff recording of the incidents was not sufficiently detailed. The manager identified these shortfalls in practice, but it is not clear if this was shared with staff in a timely manner. They have plans in place to improve this.

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

The recruitment of staff is thorough and the manager ensures all necessary checks are undertaken. This means staff who work with children are safe and appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

At the time of inspection, there was a new manager and a new responsible individual at the home. Both are experienced and knowledgeable. They have a shared understanding about the strengths and areas for development in the home. The manager is supported by a capable deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has established positive relationships with the children, staff and partner agencies. They have also recognised the need to build stronger relationships with the local community, due to the behaviours of two children who damaged equipment in the community. The manager supported the children to understand and apologise for their actions. The manager also paid to replace the equipment. One child’s social worker said the manager was very proactive and reacted immediately when these incidents occurred. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 5 Staffing has been inconsistent due to staff turnover. This has caused some instability for children but some of the impact has been skilfully mitigated by the manager, by using the same agency staff, who have worked alongside permanent staff. Consistency for children has been prioritised. Leaders and managers have also been proactively working to recruit and retain staff. This hard work has led to the home

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

having a nearly full staff team at the time of inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision and team meetings are regular. This supports staff practice and development. Leaders and managers recognise the importance of upskilling staff and supporting their progression. They also have plans to improve the induction process so new staff can benefit from a wider range of experiences. This is to help them to be better prepared to work in the home and to support children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are focused on offering children the very best care. The feedback from external professionals recognises this. One social worker said they could not praise the manager and staff enough for the way they are supporting and caring for their child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 6

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(vi)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the dissemination of learning from incidents, staff supervision of children and using professional curiosity to keep children safe. 22 December

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, this refers to records being sufficiently detailed and of consistent quality. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that all areas of the home are well maintained. In particular, fit laminate flooring and have mattress protectors in one child’s bedroom. Also, that the wider grounds of the home are well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 7

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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: 2591708 8

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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

Nurul Kabir, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591708 9 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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