Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 1 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 offers care for up to two children who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since June 2024. However, a manager has now applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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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: 29 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/02/2024 Full Outstanding 09/03/2023 Full Outstanding 08/02/2022 Full Outstanding 17/10/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children living in the home were seen and spoken to as part of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm and homely environment. The house is maintained to a high standard throughout. Children have personalised their bedrooms with belongings which reflect their interests and personalities. One child has a pet rabbit, which moved into the home with them. With the support of staff, both children enjoy caring for, and spending time with, the rabbit, fostering a sense of responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home, and two children have moved in. Transitions are thoughtfully planned to ensure that they are smooth and effective. One child has successfully returned to the care of their birth family. Staff supported the child and their family to ensure that this was a smooth process taken at the child’s pace. The needs and behaviours of existing children have been carefully considered before new children have moved in. Children have been supported to settle into their new home, adding to their sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy in their home. They have built positive relationships with staff, who actively draw on each child’s strengths to enhance their sense of worth and self-esteem. For example, one child is learning to play the guitar and keyboard. A staff member, using their own musical skills, has been supporting the child with this interest. This has provided the child with something meaningful and positive to focus on, contributing to their overall well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has recently started attending a new school full time and has excellent attendance. They have expressed how much they enjoy this school compared to previous education provisions. Another child has been excluded from their current education setting. The manager has responded proactively, ensuring that alternative options are explored without delay to help re-engage the child in their education. In the meantime, while not currently in formal education, they are encouraged to maintain a structured routine. They are supported with home learning activities and tasks designed to help build their independence.

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

Children receive effective support in managing and reducing risks. For example, one child’s risk of going missing and self-harm has significantly decreased since moving into the home. However, not all staff have a thorough knowledge of the children’s previous and current risks. Children’s relevant plans are not always updated to reflect any changes in risks, particularly following incidents, to ensure that the most accurate and up-to-date information is available. Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 4 Physical interventions are used to manage incidents where children pose a risk of significant harm to themselves or others. These incidents are appropriately documented and debrief discussions are held with the staff and child involved. Further opportunities for staff to reflect on these incidents are limited, which prevents a deeper understanding of the child’s experiences.

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

When children go missing from home, staff respond quickly and follow the correct procedures. This has contributed to children’s prompt and safe return. Managers maintain strong oversight of these incidents. Children are supported to understand the risks involved, with regular key-work sessions and meaningful discussions to help them reflect on their actions and stay safe.

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

Incentives are used to encourage positive behaviour and good decision-making. Children respond well to this and have identified their own targets and goals, focusing on the things they would like to achieve. While consequences are not used frequently, when they have been used, they have sometimes lacked relevance or proportionality to the incident. The manager said that all consequences involving deductions from children’s pocket money have been stopped since she has been in post.

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

Two allegations have been made involving two staff members. These have been reported and responded to appropriately. An internal investigation was carried out, which allowed for conclusions to be drawn and learning to be identified. A recommendation was made for one staff member to attend additional training, but this has not yet occurred.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, three different managers have been in post. The current manager is new to the home and has recently applied to register with Ofsted. These changes have led to some instability and inconsistencies in the staff team. This primarily relates to systems and processes, rather than the care provided directly to children. Staff have acknowledged the challenges that come with change, and those who have remained consistent have worked hard to support the children, minimising any direct impact on them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and has high aspirations for her team and the children living in the home. She brings a wealth of knowledge and is dedicated to ensuring that systems and processes are improved to be both robust and child centred. Staff receive regular supervision, which focuses on their well-being as well as children’s care. Staff are encouraged to share their views, using supervision sessions and team meetings, to discuss ideas and implement positive changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The induction process for new staff is comprehensive and thorough. Staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities that support them in meeting the needs of the children in their care. Staff say that the training they have received in the therapeutic PACE model of care, as well as training in supporting children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has greatly enhanced their understanding of the behaviours Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 5 children may display. This has supported staff to adopt a more therapeutic approach when responding to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the importance of consistency for the children. While there are current vacancies in the staff team, the manager has ensured that the rota is covered by staff from other homes in the wider group. Children are always supported by a familiar face, which helps to reduce the impact of any uncertainty. Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 6

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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 the ‘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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to ensuring that staff have knowledge of every child’s previous and current risks. This also relates to ensuring that the information in the child’s relevant plans is kept up to date to reflect changes in risks following incidents which have occurred. 28 February 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care, particularly after incidents have taken place. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that consequences are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, Inspection report for children’s home: 2500044 7 the staff caring for them and the wider community. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. This is particularly important when specific

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Recommendations

training has been recommended following the outcome of an internal investigation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2500044 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Units 20 and 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: 2500044 9 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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