Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 1 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties due to past trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Inspection date: 11 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 19 November 2024

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Inspection date: 11 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 11 March 2025

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: 2600978 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

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. As a result, all the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. One new requirement has been raised following this inspection, and a recommendation from the last inspection has been restated. The manager has a plan for how he intends to address the shortfalls.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home. The child had the opportunity to visit their new home and meet with staff as part of the well-planned transition. As a result, the move was a positive experience.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. Staff have displayed photos of the children around the home. Children can personalise their bedrooms. This helps to ensure that children experience a sense of belonging and value in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff prioritise education, and children make good progress. A child who was out of education for a significant period is now engaging with tuition, and plans are in place for him to join a school.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have positive relationships with children, and children say that they have people they can speak to at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff provide appropriate support for children as they prepare for independence. Before moving on from the home, a child had the opportunity to practise budgeting. This helped to ensure that they had the skills needed, and they successfully moved on to live more independently.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff meet regularly with children, and children have opportunities to express their opinions on what it is like living at the home. However, when children raised an issue with the independent person, the manager did not take all of the necessary steps to respond appropriately. Children did not receive an outcome to their concerns. This does not ensure that children’s views, wishes and feelings are always considered.

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Findings from the inspection

Following incidents, the manager carries out a comprehensive evaluation and speaks with children and staff. This ensures that children have opportunities to raise concerns, and the manager’s evaluations identify learning. This supports continuous improvement of practice and the effective management of incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Medication is well managed. The manager and staff carry out regular audits of medication, and staff receive training on administration and recording of medication. There have been no errors in medication administration or recording. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 3 Allegations are responded to appropriately. The manager takes prompt and effective action to ensure that allegations are investigated and that information is shared with relevant professionals. Children receive an outcome following investigations.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding about how to keep children safe. Plans and risk assessments, including those relating to children who are at risk of going missing from care, provide staff with clear guidance on the steps they need to take to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular formal supervision and a comprehensive range of training. Training is tailored to meet children’s specific needs. Staff say that they feel well supported.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has not sent the quality of care review report to Ofsted. The document was due to be submitted in December 2024. The manager has a plan to finalise the report and share it with Ofsted. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2023 Full Good 27/07/2022 Full Good 20/04/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 5

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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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

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Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that children’s views and feedback are listened to and considered, that children are supported, and that action is promptly taken by managers if children raise concerns. The registered person should keep children informed about the actions taken in response to any concerns they raise. 3 June 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should carry out a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided in the home, the experiences of children living in the home and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The registered person should show how they have consulted children when considering their experiences. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.12) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 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

Laura Norcop, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2600978 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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