Children's Home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited in Devon

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 1 Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home was registered in February 2023 and provides care for up to three children who are in crisis. It is owned and managed by a local privately run organisation that also operates several other homes in the area.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Inspection date: 6 December 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 December 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children talk positively about their experiences of the home. They identify carers who they can talk to, and they say they feel safe. Children know who is caring for them. Carers build positive relationships with children. This has meant that children can talk to them about important aspects of their life, including their worries and concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

When carers have concerns about children’s health or risk-taking behaviours, they have honest and caring conversations with them. Carers work closely with other professionals. When appropriate, support, guidance and advice are sought from other agencies with the aim of safeguarding children.

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Findings from the inspection

Carers support children to engage with tutors who attend the home to work with them. One child has re-engaged with further education. Another child is being supported to integrate back into mainstream school after a two-year gap. However, continued improvement is required in relation to providing children with routine, stimulating activities and educational support.

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Findings from the inspection

Plans and risk assessments devised to support carers to care for children and keep them safe are clear and informative. They are updated regularly and are followed by carers. Children are aware of the content of their plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are spoken to following incidents. When they do not want to talk, the reasons for this are clearly recorded. The children currently living in the home are settled and incidents are rare. Records detailing incidents are well written, providing a clear narrative of events and actions taken.

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Findings from the inspection

Decision-making and planning for children to move into the home are thorough. Leaders and managers consider the needs of all children and the skill set of carers. When a need for additional training is identified, prompt action is taken to source it.

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Findings from the inspection

No concerns were raised in relation to the integrity of the registered manager.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 3

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that efforts are made to provide children with routine and stimulation. 8 February 2024

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 8 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 4 that staff—

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children who do not attend the required learning are provided with informal educational activities. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30, Chivenor Business Park, Barnstaple EX31 4FT

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Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2715196 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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