Children's Home run by Begin to Blossom Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 1 Registered provider: Begin to Blossom Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since it registered. The child’s move was well planned and supported. Before the child’s arrival, they received a video made by staff introducing themselves to the child and providing them with a virtual tour of the home. The child said, ‘The video that staff sent me was really good. I loved that. It was visual, comforting and helpful.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has quickly formed positive relationships with staff. When asked about their experiences, the child said, ‘I absolutely love the people working here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with the health services that they need to be healthy, and staff support the child’s attendance with health appointments. Medical consent is obtained to ensure that staff are familiar with the health decisions and responsibilities that are delegated to them. The child benefits from regular therapy to promote their emotional and psychological well-being. The therapist said, ‘Staff are very in sync and use therapeutic approaches.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote and facilitate family time to ensure that the child sustains close relationships with the people who are most important to them. Staff provide the child with well-planned and highly personalised care that promotes their needs effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has an education, health and care plan. However, following a change in the child’s circumstances, they require an updated care plan from the placing authority, which the manager has requested.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from positive and enjoyable activities. They enjoy dog walking, nature walks, sightseeing, meals out and going to the cinema. These community-based experiences promote the child’s social skills and help to build their self-esteem and self- confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before moving to the home, the child was not attending an education provision. Staff have ensured that the child now engages in 10 hours of home tutoring each week. However, staff do not currently supplement this time with additional structured learning activities.

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

Health and safety matters are addressed effectively by staff to ensure a safe environment for children. Staff ensure that the home is cosy, comfortable and homely. The child’s bedroom is maintained and personalised to a high standard and reflects their needs, requests and wishes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 3 Staff provide the child with safe and effective care. They have a good understanding of the child’s needs and specific vulnerabilities. Safe working practices and the use of clear risk management plans promote the child’s safety and reduce their risk of harm. The child said, ‘I’d describe living here as being safe, loving and free.’ The therapist said, ‘The child responds well to staff’s approach, and the team are very experienced.’

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

Since the child moved into the home, there have been no safeguarding concerns. Significant incidents are reported to the appropriate authorities. This ensures that the child is supported and protected.

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

Staff are trained to manage behaviours that challenge. They praise and reinforce positive behaviour. Staff understand the triggers for behaviours and take action to support the child by defusing unwanted behaviours safely, which prevents incidents from escalating.

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

Staff demonstrate empathy and treat the child with love, kindness, respect and compassion. As a result, the child feels safe and secure. The child said, ‘There’s a lot of friendly and happy vibes.’

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

There have been no missing-from-home episodes. There are clear procedures and protocols for staff to follow should a child’s whereabouts be unknown. Staff supervise the child safely and remain alert to the possibility of incidents occurring. There have been no complaints, restraints or allegations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dedicated and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for the child. The manager is a visible presence in the child’s life and demonstrates strong and effective leadership of the operations of the home. As a result, the child and staff benefit from a home that is managed efficiently and effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a supportive manager who stimulates their enthusiasm and efforts. A staff member said, ‘ The management team have been incredibly hands-on and supportive… I’ve personally found the therapeutic supervision to be particularly valuable.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from relevant training to enable them to understand and meet the specific needs of the child. The manager ensures that staff benefit from regular team meetings and receive clinical and practice-related supervision. As a result, staff are supported to reflect on their practice and evaluate the child’s progress and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person, with suitable experience, visits the home to review the standard and quality of children’s care. They assist staff, leaders and managers to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the care provided for children. This enables staff, leaders and managers to tackle identified weaknesses to secure continuing improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A stable staff team is employed to care for the child, which ensures that they benefit from stability and consistency in their life. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 4 Staff employed are recruited and vetted carefully, and safe recruitment practices are followed and stringently adhered to. This ensures that the child is cared for safely. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children to engage in alternative learning activities when they are not in full-time education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that an updated care plan is obtained from the placing authority. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)

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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: 2792831 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Begin to Blossom Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham, Lancashire, OL8 3QL

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Inspector

Anthony Kyem, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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