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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 1 SC414516 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 registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a suitably qualified manager, who registered with Ofsted in July 2010.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three 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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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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

Date of last inspection: 20 February 2024

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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: SC414516 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Outstanding 01/03/2023 Full Outstanding 08/03/2022 Full Outstanding 25/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is an exceptionally nurturing and family-oriented environment, which is evident from the moment you step through the door. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is fostered by the strong, trusting relationships between children and staff, who spend quality time together in shared spaces. A unique aspect of the home is its seamless integration of everyday life, with staff bringing their animals to work, further enhancing the homely feel. Children experience a true sense of belonging, security and stability, which is fundamental to their emotional well-being and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home offers outstanding opportunities for children to engage in enriching outdoor experiences. The expansive outdoor space has been transformed into meaningful and therapeutic projects, including an allotment for growing fruits and vegetables, a newly developed ‘zen’ garden for reflection and relaxation, and an area dedicated to beekeeping. These initiatives not only encourage environmental responsibility but also foster creativity, resilience and teamwork. Staff actively engage children in these projects, ensuring that they develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their contributions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive highly individualised care from staff who know them exceptionally well. Relationships are built on trust, respect and a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs. Staff consistently prioritise children’s emotional and physical well-being, celebrating every achievement no matter how big or small with warmth and encouragement. This approach reinforces children’s self-worth and promotes their confidence to achieve their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A key strength of the home is the unwavering commitment of staff to spend quality time with children. The emphasis on time together, rather than administrative tasks, ensures that children feel valued and heard. Handwritten records reflect the home’s child-centred approach, and there is ongoing work to ensure that these records remain accessible for children to review in the future, supporting their sense of identity and personal history.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s educational progress is exceptional. Each child follows a carefully tailored educational timetable that meets their individual learning needs, enabling them to achieve outstanding outcomes. The highly effective partnership between the home and the independent school’s education team ensures that children receive the support and encouragement needed to thrive academically. The consistent, aspirational approach to learning has resulted in children exceeding expectations and developing a positive attitude towards their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Moving in and out of the home is well managed with remarkable care and attention. Children leaving the home do so with a strong foundation for future success, supported by thorough planning and robust documentation. The enduring relationships between staff and children who leave is testament to the high level of emotional security Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 4 provided. Many children remain in regular contact after moving on, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of the care and support they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff’s dedication to community involvement is exemplary. Through a variety of outreach projects, children develop essential life skills and a deep understanding of empathy, compassion and social responsibility. Their engagement in charitable initiatives instils a strong sense of purpose and achievement. The breadth of opportunities available to children is truly outstanding, equipping them with the confidence and skills to contribute positively to society.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

This home consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence, ensuring that children flourish in a nurturing environment where they feel protected, encouraged and motivated to achieve their aspirations.

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

Children benefit from an exceptionally safe and nurturing environment, where their well- being is the highest priority. Staff are highly attuned to each child’s emotional and behavioural needs, responding proactively to early signs of distress before situations escalate. This intuitive and skilled approach significantly reduces the need for de- escalation strategies, which is reflected in the minimal number of incidents within the home.

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

Safeguarding practices are embedded in the culture of the home. Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of each child’s individual risks, ensuring that behaviour support plans and risk assessments are not only in place but are regularly reviewed and adapted in response to children’s changing needs. The leadership team maintains a rigorous oversight of these plans, ensuring that they remain dynamic and effective in keeping children safe.

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

The home’s approach to behaviour management is exceptional. There has been only one minor physical intervention since the last inspection, highlighting the effectiveness of the proactive and nurturing care provided. When restraint is necessary to protect a child or those around them, it is used as a last resort, with careful adherence to best practice. Every incident is recorded, reviewed and monitored by leaders, ensuring full accountability and reflection. The child’s voice is central to this process, with their views sought, valued and used to inform future practice.

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

Serious incidents are rare. When they do occur, they are managed with professionalism and care. Each incident is subject to robust management oversight, evaluation and reflective practice, allowing for continuous improvement and shared learning. Multi- agency communication is highly effective, with all relevant professionals informed promptly to ensure a collaborative safeguarding approach.

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

Missing-from-care episodes are exceptionally rare, with only one occurrence since the last inspection. When children are missing, staff take immediate and well-coordinated action, actively searching for them and engaging with external professionals to ensure Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 5 their swift and safe return. Once a child returns, meaningful debrief discussions take place, allowing both staff and the child to reflect on the reasons behind the absence and consider any additional support needed. This trauma-informed approach strengthens relationships and reduces the likelihood of future missing episodes.

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

Safeguarding is embedded in every aspect of the home’s culture. Children experience a profound sense of security and belonging, knowing they are cared for by a dedicated and vigilant team that prioritises their safety and emotional well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership and management of the home is exceptional. The registered manager demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of each child, understanding their history, needs and aspirations. His passion for improving outcomes is evident in his unwavering commitment to creating an environment that feels like a family home, where children experience warmth, love and belonging. His dedication is reflected in the way he speaks about every child who has lived at the home, with a genuine investment in their past, present and future well-being. The manager’s leadership is highly effective in setting a clear vision, ensuring that children receive the highest standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leadership succession planning is a clear strength. The manager is supported by a highly capable deputy, who is being nurtured and developed to take on the role in the future. This forward-thinking approach ensures the continued stability of the home, maintaining its outstanding standard of care and leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from high-quality supervision, team meetings and ongoing professional development that both supports and challenges them to enhance their skills. Strong focus on staff training and continuous learning fosters an environment where best practice thrives. Staff are motivated, reflective and committed to their own growth, ensuring that children receive care from a well-trained, knowledgeable and highly skilled team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The provider enjoys an excellent reputation among professionals. Feedback from external agencies is overwhelmingly positive, with social workers praising the team’s commitment and communication, and the transformational impact of their work. One social worker stated, ‘[Child] is thriving, and this is entirely credit to the home, the staff and the impact they have had on him.’ Another remarked, ‘From where [child] was to where he is now is a direct result of the hard work of the manager and his team.’ Such testimonials highlight the exceptional quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team’s commitment to children is outstanding. They invest time in truly knowing each child, listening to them and promoting their welfare at every opportunity. The passion for working with children is evident in every interaction, with staff consistently placing children’s well-being at the centre of their practice. They are proactive in meeting children’s needs and dedicated to celebrating their achievements, creating a culture of aspiration and encouragement. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 6 Staffing stability is another key strength of the home. With minimal staff turnover, children benefit from forming and maintaining trusting relationships with familiar adults, fostering a deep sense of security and consistency. This continuity of care is a testament to the strong, effective leadership that underpins the home’s success.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team upholds the highest standards, fostering a culture of ambition and care. Their strong and compassionate leadership creates a home where children are respected, supported and given every opportunity to grow and succeed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC414516 8

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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

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 9 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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