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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection and spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2024.

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Inspection date: 14 November 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 November 2024

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: 2699924 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 live in a well-maintained, welcoming and homely environment. The manager and staff create an atmosphere of trust and respect. Children’s artwork and photos are on display throughout the home. Soft furnishings help provide a comfortable environment. Children personalise their bedrooms with toys and posters, which promotes their well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager now carries out a thorough impact assessment to review the suitability of new children coming to live at the home. This promotes better care and there have been no incidents between the children living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are loving and caring towards children, which helps children to feel safe. The manager regularly updates children about changes in the home through creative letters. These letters have photos of children’s experiences and lovely comments about the progress each child makes. This creates positive long-lasting memories for children and allows them to feel part of the household community. A child said about the home, ‘I just love it here.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children make good progress in education. Staff recognise this and praise the children. Staff encourage children to engage in extra-curricular activities to support their hobbies and interests. For example, one child went to a concert and another child regularly attends a youth club. Staff celebrate and support children’s uniqueness, and these experiences boost children’s self-esteem.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff support children who harm themselves. Staff provide a caring and nurturing approach, and sensitively challenge children about their choices. Staff talk openly with children, which helps children to speak honestly about their emotions. Together, staff help them to think of creative solutions to stop them from hurting themselves in the future. One child said, ‘They all speak to me about my mental health, and I’ve got all the help I need with my mental health.’ The manager and staff work in partnership with mental health services to support children, allowing them to feel supported and cared for.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand child protection policies and know how to report a safeguarding concern. There have been no incidents of physical intervention or children going missing from the home, however, staff understand children’s individual risks and the strategies they should use to help reduce risks for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations are managed well and efficiently. The manager and staff work collaboratively with appropriate professionals. This shows children that their views matter and are taken seriously. Reports about allegations are clear, which enables thorough monitoring by the manager. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 3 The manager uses creative ways to support children to understand/work through their past trauma and prepare them for future independence. For example, one child has previously had a negative experience with the police. The manager uses her close working relationships with local police community support officers to educate children about emergency services. This approach has resulted in the child feeling less fearful of the police and teaches children how to keep themselves safe now and in the future.

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Findings from the inspection

Six new members of staff have been recruited since the last inspection and two have left. The home is now fully staffed. The manager recognises that this has caused inevitable change for children. She carefully considers staff recruitment. Staff are suitably skilled and knowledgeable, which means they are equipped to meet children’s individual needs. The manager seeks the views of children when recruiting staff, which helps them to create trusting relationships with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Most staff now hold the required qualification for residential childcare. A small number of staff are currently working to achieve this qualification, with plans to ensure that they complete within the allotted timescales.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager provides staff with consistent, high-quality supervision sessions. New staff complete a thorough induction programme that the manager reviews regularly. In addition, the manager provides additional supervision sessions to new staff. When there are concerns about staff practice, the manager uses supervision sessions to appropriately challenge poor practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff are clear about their responsibilities to protect children and how to prevent children from hurting one another. For example, team meetings are used to discuss lessons learned from practice, safeguarding procedures and understanding of regulations. The manager is a positive role model and is consistently present in the home, which creates a positive environment for children to live in.

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Findings from the inspection

All previous requirements have now been met and no new requirements have been made.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 4

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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

Caoimhe Richards, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 5 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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