Children's home run by Park Blue Homes Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 1 Registered provider: Park Blue Homes 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 is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children. At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home, who are all siblings.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2023, when this home was registered. The manager also manages another home.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 14 November 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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. The inspector has 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: 2738393 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 enjoy living in the home. They enjoy being active and being together. Children benefit from lots of opportunities, such as sports, baking and crafts. Staff have introduced a focus on well-being in the home, with a programme of activities in place. Children now live in a warm and welcoming space. Soft furnishings and pictures on the wall help to create a homely feeling. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their interests, with space for their belongings and important items.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have regular conversations with children to explore their thoughts and feelings. Staff sensitively discuss children’s aspirations for the future, or encourage them with school attendance. Staff are responsive to topics that arise, for example having informal chats about internet safety. The manager has introduced new processes to track follow-up actions needed after these conversations.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. Before their arrival, staff considered what the impact might be on the children already living there. The assessment completed recognises how the children being siblings could influence each other more than if they were not related.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home. Since then, behaviour has been more settled. Staff respond to safeguarding concerns that arise, and the manager identifies learning. There has been one concern raised about staff practice. This was thoroughly investigated and the findings shared with safeguarding authorities.

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Findings from the inspection

Half of the staff team has changed since the full inspection. New staff receive an induction into the home and organisation. Staff feel supported by the manager. One member of staff said that the home is more calm and settled. This member of staff found reflective sessions helpful to explore the changes with one child leaving the home. Team meetings take place regularly. These help to create consistent care practice in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has started the process of reflecting on the placement for the child who left. This includes a review by a member of staff and a reflective session with the consultant therapist. However, this has not yet been pulled together to identify all learning. The wider impact of the child’s behaviour on the experiences of others has not yet been fully considered and could be more critically reflective.

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Findings from the inspection

Two of the requirements made at the previous inspection have been met in full. One requirement has not been fully considered and so is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 4

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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 he ‘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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff are suitably experienced and trained to meet children’s needs, and that they receive effective support to help them understand how to achieve this. In addition, ensure that the experiences of children are fully considered when reviewing the effectiveness and safety 29 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 5 of care in the home. The registered person should also ensure that when learning is identified as a result of incidents, there are clear mechanisms by which this is shared with the team and that ongoing review takes place to ensure that subsequent issues are identified. The registered person should ensure that where learning is either not being implemented, or it is not thought possible to implement, that these concerns are then escalated to senior leaders. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 38 Freemans Way, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 1DH

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Inspector

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2738393 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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