Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Ealing

Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 1 SC038780 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to care for up to four children who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2016.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home. All children were seen and spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2023 Full Good 01/02/2023 Full Good 11/10/2021 Full Good 27/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the physical environment of the home has significantly improved. The home is warm, welcoming and feels like a family home. The children have been supported to personalise their bedrooms and choose their own decor. The dining room has a large hand-painted mural of a family tree that includes the names of adults and children with positive words to describe their character. This helps to create a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For one child, progress has been exceptional. Risks have reduced because of staff support. Consequently, the child has flourished and benefited from greater independence. This child is now planning for their future beyond the home and has a positive outlook on life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to access education. The manager has advocated to ensure that two of the children have been able to remain at their original school, and staff happily drive them every day. One child said that being able to remain at their school has been important to them. Another child said that they were happy at college and that the fact they even got a place there was all down to the manager. The attendance of one child has improved significantly, and they are now accessing education full time. The impact of this has enabled the child to form relationships with peers and enjoy the time they are spending at school without disruption.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported with their independence skills. Behavioural incentives and direct- work sessions compliment this. One child has experienced a positive and well-planned move into semi-independent accommodation. Staff ensured this child had everything they needed to set up their new home and arranged driving lessons as a leaving gift.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy at home and have positive relationships with staff. One child said, ‘Everything is amazing, and I want to live here until I’m eighteen.’ Children attend weekly meetings to openly tell staff what they would like to do, and these wishes are acted on where appropriate. One child is struggling to spend time outside of their bedroom, and the manager has thought of different ways to keep them engaged, including enabling them to build their own gaming computer. The staff recognise the children’s strengths and use this knowledge to help them have positive experiences.

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

One child was subject to a deprivation of liberty order when they moved into the home. Staff were able to support this child to manage high levels of risk and reduce the number of incidents they were experiencing. Online safety was considered a risk. Staff worked with the child and their social worker to build on trust, gradually reduce restrictions and enable them to have access to their devices in a safe and planned way. This positive progress resulted in the restrictive legal order being removed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 4 The manager and staff are proactive in responding to concerns about children. When there was a serious concern about the well-being of one child, relating to circumstances outside of the home, the manager remained curious and promptly notified the relevant professionals. Consequently, action was taken to ensure the child was safeguarded and protected from further harm.

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

One child made a significant disclosure relating to being harmed while living at the home. This was reported in a timely manner, and there remains an ongoing police investigation. The manager and staff have ensured the child has received the appropriate support during this time, and robust measures remain in place to oversee the safety and well-being of all children living in the home.

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

When children have been missing from home, staff have acted quickly by following the risk assessments and safety plans to ensure a quick and safe return home. Staff have assessed the risks and advocated for one child, who is now having planned time away from home. This means they are no longer being absent without permission. This has empowered the child to embrace their increased independence and make positive choices.

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

Children are supported to manage their behaviour and reduce associated risks. Incentives are prioritised over consequences, but where consequences have been required, they have been a proportionate response to keep the child safe. Physical interventions have reduced, and where this has been necessary, it has been used as a last resort.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong leader. Her determination has contributed to the improvements that have been made since the previous inspection. The overall positive changes have had a great impact on children and supported them to make progress in their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager understands the importance of having a robust staff team. She has embraced the strengths of her team, which has enabled her to delegate tasks. This team approach has ensured the manager’s focus can remain on what is most important for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The feedback from professionals who work with the staff and children is unanimously positive. The social worker for one child said, ‘[Name of child] is a completely different person from when they were first placed. This is down to the positive relationships they have built with staff.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings are productive and purposeful. The manager has invited external professionals to join recent team meetings. This encourages a culture of learning and reflection. This whole-team approach has supported staff to work in a connected and consistent way. Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 5 The manager has supported her team to access specific training to enable staff to develop knowledge about and implement therapeutic strategies when caring for children. One professional said, ‘Staff do not just know about PACE, they are actually doing it, and it is embedded in their relationships with the children.’ Staff are proactive learners and demonstrated their desire to constantly improve their own skills so they can better support children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 6

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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: SC038780 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 20-21, Pullman Business Court, Mallard Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8GX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pradeep Manaktala

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Inspector

Kayleigh Spinks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC038780 8 regulates and inspects 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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