Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 1 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd 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 and provides care for up to five children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by an experienced registered manager who holds the required qualification.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/08/2023 Full Outstanding 03/05/2022 Full Good 13/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

As part of this inspection, the inspector considered the views of the children living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a warm, loving home with a strong family feel. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed. Staff show great warmth and affection towards the children and strive to ensure that they feel comfortable. Staff take every opportunity to make children feel special, celebrating all achievements and ensuring that the home is a lively, fun and happy environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers ensure that children receive very good support when the time comes for them to leave the home. They help children to prepare for their new home, which includes visiting the home and meeting new staff so that children understand the expectations. One child has been supported in familiarising themselves with the public transportation route from their new home to college, ensuring that they are confident in making this journey independently ahead of the move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff remain deeply committed to the children, offering ongoing emotional support even after a child moves on from the home. When a child’s adult placement broke down, the manager and staff worked closely with the local authority to provide ongoing support to the child, providing stability and reassurance when needed the most. They make every effort to make children feel truly cared about and valued, reinforcing their genuine care and connection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Feedback from external professionals and parents is exceptional. There are excellent working relationships between staff, professionals and families. A representative from a local authority praised the staff’s care of the children and said, ‘They provide a high standard of care.’ One parent said, ‘Before my child moved there, I had almost lost hope. We would be lost without them; they are absolutely phenomenal and have supported my child to make so much progress.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s views are important to staff and shape how the home is run. The children are encouraged to express their views about all aspects of daily living and the care they receive. Children receive support to attend meetings about their placement and contribute their views. This ensures that each child’s voice is heard by all the agencies supporting them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have made significant progress in their education, and they all attend education full time. All the children’s relevant plans are fully up to date and kept under constant review by the manager. The manager is a strong advocate for children. For example, one child struggled when starting at college. The manager worked closely with professionals to identify a suitable educational setting to support the child’s specific needs. As a result, the child now attends education daily and is thriving. Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 4 The staff demonstrate genuine aspiration for children’s success and are committed to helping them reach their full potential. They engage directly with the children, assisting them in breaking down objectives into manageable tasks and then empowering them to acquire the necessary skills independently. For example, the promotion of healthy lifestyles and eating habits has resulted in one child losing a significant amount of

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

weight. Physical exercise is routinely promoted, which has improved children’s mental health and self-confidence. One child has made significant improvements in personal care routines, greatly enhancing their quality of life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s growing independence is also evident in activities such as work experience, independent travel, and managing life skills, including budgeting, cooking and shopping. These achievements reflect children’s ability to take responsibility and make substantial progress in both their personal and social development. A child developed their skills and confidence through work experience and now has a part-time job at a local eatery. This is life-changing progress.

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

Children receive high-quality care from staff who know them very well. Children’s plans and risk assessments are intricately detailed and regularly reviewed, making it clear to staff what they need to do to keep children safe. This effective practice promotes children’s safety and supports them in taking measured, age-appropriate risks in line with their stage of development.

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

Significant incidents are well managed. There are detailed records of all incidents and the actions taken. Staff are trained and skilled in de-escalation, meaning that restraint is used as a last resort. When restraint is used, children are debriefed effectively. There are effective systems in place to overcome barriers to communication. Managers review and reflect on all incidents as a learning opportunity, sharing this information with the team to ensure that children receive the best possible care.

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

Staff receive a broad range of good-quality training in safeguarding matters. There is excellent communication with local authority safeguarding partners. Safeguarding themes are regularly explored during staff supervision sessions, team meetings, handovers and exercises focused on staff development. The staff understand the importance of an open safeguarding culture. As a result, they know how to recognise, report and act on any safeguarding concerns that they may have.

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

There is a robust medication process in place. When medication errors have occurred, action has been taken to rectify them as soon as possible. Staff have received extra training and support. This has prevented further errors from being made.

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

Children are safe online. Staff carry out proportionate checks on children’s mobile phones, as any parent would. They also carry out direct work regarding online safety. The manager and staff have shown real persistence with children to help them stay safe when using social media and the internet. With one child, significant work was required, Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 5 enabling the child to make notable progress in this area. The child is now able to recognise their online vulnerabilities and how to remain safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Overall, the home benefits from having inspirational, confident and dedicated managers. The staff, over time, and through extensive learning, become ambitious and confident leaders. The responsible individual, manager and deputy managers have created a culture of high aspiration and positivity. There are high expectations of staff, and children remain central to any decisions made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff hold managers in high regard. They describe them as being some of the ‘best leaders’ they have ever worked with. There have been very few changes in the staff team, and many have worked at the home for several years. Staff morale is very high. The staff enjoy working together and have admiration for each other and for the children they work with. Staff say that they love working at the home and, despite some challenges, remain exceptionally committed to their work. This ethos ensures that children receive safe and consistent care from adults who are committed to their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers lead by example. They are ambitious for the children and have become powerful advocates for them. The positive impact this home has on children is remarkable, given their starting points.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular reflective supervision that supports them as they develop in their roles. A robust induction process supports new staff. As a result, staff feel confident in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak positively about managers offering support with both work matters and those that are more personal. The manager leads by example. She recognises the importance of always being available to talk to staff and children. Staff who support children also follow this practice. The supportive culture that the managers have created ensures that children and staff have the help and guidance they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff recognise the importance of looking at each child’s behaviour as a means of communication, including for those who are nonverbal. Staff have received extensive communication training and actively use signs, symbols and pictorial aids with children to improve their levels of communication and interactions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The monitoring by the manager is outstanding. Effective management systems are in place. Records are of a very high standard and provide a detailed analysis of care provision. Regular audits take place, with actions to address any shortfalls or learning. This means the manager clearly understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. As a result, detailed development plans are in place to ensure continual improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 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: 2561020 7

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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

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2561020 8 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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