Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 1 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.1

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and support for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties. It is part of a local organisation that owns several homes. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 21 November 2023

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 2 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2023 Full Good 29/06/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/02/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 3 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home meets the needs of the two children who live there. It is well furnished and has recently been redecorated. The children have a say in the decoration and design of the home, and have put their mark on their own bedrooms and the communal areas. The children are involved in the care of the two goats and six chickens who live in the outbuilding. One child chose not to speak to the inspector. One child was seen and spoken to alone during the inspection.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children who live in the home are settled and are making good progress. Carers have helped them develop essential independence skills, such as gaining part-time employment and completing household tasks. Children have made progress in developing and maintaining positive and safe peer relationships, inside and out of the home. One child’s ability to recognise their emotions and to reflect on their behaviours has also significantly improved.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences while living in the home. Carers know the children’s likes, dislikes and aspirations. Children enjoy activities in line with their interests. This includes horse riding, horse care, roller skating and visiting theme parks. Carers record children’s experiences and memories in bright and accessible memory books.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers recognise the importance of children having positive experiences of education. One teacher said that carers supported a child to express their views when choosing and transferring to a new school, putting the best interests of the child first. This has resulted in the child being more engaged in school life and completing their homework. Children are encouraged to think about and explore what education and learning opportunities they may want to engage in when they have finished school. A child has been encouraged to think about and plan their work experience. When concerns have been raised about children’s behaviours in school, carers have worked effectively with teachers and had meaningful conversations with children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers are attuned to children’s health needs. When necessary, they seek advice and guidance from medical professionals. Children have received targeted support to address their oral and eye health, as well to have healthier diets. One child’s wish to improve their fitness has led to discussions about the different activities and lifestyle changes they may choose to make. A carer has taken the child out on runs and involved them in workouts. Carers are aware of how changeable children’s mental health can be and how it can impact on their daily lives. Children spend regular and meaningful time with the commissioned therapist.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers acknowledge the importance of family relationships for children. One child said that carers support them to spend quality time with their family. When children’s experiences of family time are not positive, carers share the concerns with external Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 4 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

professionals. This has resulted in safety planning and family time agreements being implemented for the benefit of children.

p.4

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

One child said that they have positive relationships with the carers and the other child who lives in the home. They said that they feel safe and rated the home as nine out of 10. They said that carers talk to them about risks, such as staying safe online and having positive relationships. The spoke with enthusiasm about the experiences they have had and how their love of horse riding has been nurtured. One parent said that their child is well cared for. They are assured that their child is safe and said that the carers communicate well with them. Two social workers said that the home meets children’s needs and keeps them safe.

p.4

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

Children experience consistency and boundaries. They experience a stable team of carers who know them well. Carers have taken the time to build and maintain positive relationships with children. Children go to carers when they have worries or feel unsafe, and they receive appropriate, child-focused responses.

p.4

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

Carers have a good knowledge and understanding of risk. Children are encouraged to be autonomous and make safe decisions about their lives. Documents that provide carers with guidance on how to assess and manage risk and care for children can be confusing. Strategies for carers to follow are documented and appropriate. However, essential and up-to-date information may get lost among information that is old and no longer relevant.

p.4

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

Children do not go missing from care. However, planning is in place if this happens. Significant incidents in relation to behaviour do not happen in the home. When children have become upset or frustrated, leading to verbally aggressive behaviours, carers follow well-written support plans. They talk to children and encourage them to reflect on their behaviours and triggers. This allows children and carers to identify any unmet needs that children may have.

p.4

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

Safeguarding concerns are well documented and effectively managed. Carers work with professionals to share relevant information. When required, carers are involved in decisions and carrying out multi-agency responses.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and committed manager, who was present throughout the inspection. Her presence in the home and her style of working has allowed her to form positive relationships with the team and children. The manager’s oversight and review of what goes on in the home are documented throughout care planning. Her comments are child-focused and written to the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All carers spoke positively about the home and the care and support that they receive from their manager. They said that they work in a supportive team where the culture is Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 5 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

open. They described their work as rewarding, and spoke enthusiastically about the children and their achievements.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Carers said that they receive good-quality supervision. Supervisors have completed training that has supported them to improve and develop the quality of the supervision they provide. Managers promote reflection and in-depth discussion about all areas of carers’ roles, particularly the care of children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When it is necessary, leaders and managers appropriately challenge other professionals and advocate in the best interests of children. They consider the impact of their and others’ decision-making about children. This has led to other professionals adapting their style of working, which has benefited a child.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers, carers and the therapist meet regularly to discuss the home and the children. Carers said that these meetings are inclusive and provide them with a voice. Carers showcase the specific and relevant learning that they undertake during the meetings. This is part of the clear learning and development culture within the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 6 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that documents that are designed to support carers to manage risk and care for children, clearly set out the agreed and up-to- date planning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

p.6

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: 2546960 7 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30 Chivenor Business Park, Banrstaple EX31 4AY

p.7

Inspector

Carla Simkiss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2546960 8 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE

p.7

Inspector

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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8