Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 1 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Limited

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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 provides care for one child who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted. The home has been without a registered manager since January 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was 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: 14 November 2023

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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: 1259419 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2023 Full Outstanding 18/01/2023 Full Outstanding 15/12/2021 Full Good 03/03/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences and progress during this inspection period have been varied. One child made significant progress due to consistent, nurturing care. In line with their care plan, staff supported the child’s move to a new home. They ensured that the receiving home, which is run by the same provider, was well prepared. Staff from the new home completed shifts at the current home before the move, helping the child to feel safe and supported throughout the changes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff supported the child to maintain positive relationships with family members. The child’s family were invited to the home and were able to share in meaningful experiences, such as celebrating at the child’s birthday party. One family member expressed her appreciation for how she was consistently included in the child’s life and commended the staff for going above and beyond to offer her support during challenging times. This collaborative approach has helped to reinforce a sense of stability and emotional security for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child who has most recently moved into the home has faced significant challenges with the acceptance of being in care. Staff are working hard to build positive relationships, recognising that trauma and past experiences have affected the child’s ability to trust adults. While these relationships are developing it has been a challenge for staff to establish a routine to the child’s day. Staff are working hard and are seeing small, positive changes in the child’s response. While progress is gradual, their efforts to meet the child’s emotional and developmental needs are clear.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to supporting children’s education. They have been strong advocates for one child during a school change, sharing information to help education professionals understand the child’s experiences. Currently, staff are managing a complex situation with another child who has been out of education for a significant time. While maintaining high aspirations, staff recognise the challenges in the child’s relationship with education, prioritising stability and security in the home environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to share their wishes and views. One child was forthcoming in expressing what mattered to them and staff responded positively, acting on their wishes. One child is more avoidant and reluctant to engage in discussion. When appropriate, staff have followed up with gestures to demonstrate they are listening. For example, this child experiences difficulties with food, and staff have taken steps in the home and consulted with the child’s parent to implement strategies to help the child feel more comfortable.

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

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the risks associated with each child, recognising the significant differences between the previous and current child in the Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 4 home. This awareness is important, as it highlights the staff’s ability to adapt their approach to meet children’s individual needs effectively. Staff ensure that all relevant documentation for assessing, monitoring and reviewing risk is kept updated.

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

One child was absent without permission for an extended period. During this time, staff implemented a safety plan that ensured the child was seen daily and provided with the necessary items to support their safety and well-being. Over time, this approach led to the child gradually engaging with staff, which ultimately resulted in the child agreeing to return home. In partnership with the placing authority, staff have carefully assessed the risk and supported the child to have planned time away from home, ensuring that absence is no longer without permission.

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

The use of bedroom door alarms has not been fully considered in relation to the child’s current presentation and associated risks. The manager has not had a formal process in place for regularly monitoring the appropriateness and effectiveness of this safety measure, and it has not been referenced in the statement of purpose or the child’s individual risk assessment. However, the manager took immediate action during the inspection to address this gap. They have ensured that the use of the alarms is now appropriately assessed and managed to better meet the child’s needs and safeguard their well-being.

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

Staff use effective de-escalation techniques, ensuring that physical intervention is a last resort. For one child who experienced a high level of physical intervention, staff identified patterns in the child's behaviour, which informed the approach to their care. Incidents of physical intervention are well documented and reviewed by the manager. After incidents, staff hold debrief sessions with the child to reflect. Staff are provided with reflective debriefs to ensure that any learning from their practice is reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager brings a wealth of experience to his role. They are supported by a strong deputy manager, ensuring a smooth transition following the departure of the previous, longstanding manager. Staff speak highly of the previous manager, praising her success in creating a loving and nurturing home. They have welcomed the new manager and express confidence in his management style. This continuity in leadership provides stability for both staff and children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is implementing his own vision for the home, with a strong focus on ensuring high standards of care for children. He is determined and motivated, prioritising staff development. Recently, staff attended grief and bereavement training relevant to the child in their care. Training on ‘blocked care’ has been arranged to address current challenges. This proactive approach reflects the manager’s commitment to both child welfare and staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is stable, with many members having worked in the home and organisation for several years. However, not all staff have achieved the required residential childcare qualification within the necessary timeframe. Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 5 When temporary staff are needed, the manager ensures that appropriate checks and inductions are completed, with temporary staff working alongside experienced team members. This maintains consistency for children and supports their sense of security in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are motivated and look forward to their work, driven by the desire to improve children’s life experiences. They feel supported by leaders and managers, with regular opportunities to share their views and ideas during team meetings and supervision discussions. A culture of learning and reflective practice is fostered within the team. The manager maintains strong oversight of both strengths and areas for development in the team. Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the registered person ensuring that all staff complete the diploma within the set timescale. 1 September 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home provides a nurturing, supportive and homely environment that meets the needs of the children. The children’s home must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene, etc.); however, in doing so, the home should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children's home: 1259419 7

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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: 1259419 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: 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: 1259419 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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