Children's Home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 1 Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare 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 company. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection and spoke to the inspector.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to make very good progress in all aspects of their lives. This is because staff understand children’s needs and the support they require to effect meaningful changes. For example, one child’s risks and vulnerabilities have significantly reduced. Another child has developed the skills and confidence to manage most aspects of their life independently. Children are proud of their progress and achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children very well and provide individualised care relevant to children’s lived experiences. The care provided to one child, who has complex needs, has been tailored to meet their level of understanding. For example, staff use pictures and shorter sentences to support them to process information effectively. This individualised support helps children to feel valued and fully involved in decision- making that impacts on their day-to-day lives and future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported and encouraged to attend education. Staff have established positive working relationships with education professionals. This ensures that there is consistency in their responses and teachers are aware of children’s changing needs. Both children are in full-time education and have aspirations for the future. Children feel supported to achieve their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise spending time with children. This helps staff to develop positive and trusting relationships with children. Staff will spend time joining in activities such as playing games in the home, going on picnics and creating craft items together. One child said, ‘I can ask to do any activity, and they will make it happen.’ As a result, children feel connected to staff and share strong and positive relationships with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work creatively to support children to achieve the best possible outcomes. They use observations and reflective discussions with children and their professional networks to identify strategies to develop children’s independence skills. One child is now able to arrange medical appointments, travel safely on their own and cook for themselves. Children feel championed and supported by staff who want the best for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s environment has a welcoming and homely feeling throughout. Children’s bedrooms are personalised in line with their tastes. Photos of the staff and children are displayed in the dining area, which creates a family feel to the home. This provides children with the understanding that they are important and valued. Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 4

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

Incidents that pose a risk of harm to children are very rare. Staff have a clear understanding of children’s risks and are able to pre-empt situations and support children therapeutically to manage situations before they escalate. Children feel safe, secure and supported by staff to manage any challenges they experience.

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

Children are helped to develop strategies to reduce their risks. Staff have completed a vast amount of thoughtful and creative work with one child, which allows them to better understand their emotions. Also, the child has built coping strategies to manage issues of anxiety. For example, the child is now able to use mindfulness techniques and sensory aids to help them manage their emotions. This nurturing approach allows children to feel in control, and they manage the challenges they experience in a safe environment.

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

Staff work closely and effectively with the professionals involved in children’s lives. Information is shared promptly, concerns are discussed thoroughly, and plans are put in place to keep children safe. For one child, staff have created a weekly handover meeting with their school to share any significant information, which means school staff are able to respond appropriately. All professionals shared that they are kept well informed of what is happening in the day-to-day life of the children and any areas of concern. This strong multi-agency approach provides children with consistent and predictable care.

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

Managers take complaints and allegations seriously. They explore them fully and complete thorough investigations. Children are reassured and always informed of outcomes of the complaints and allegations they have shared. Children feel able to share any complaints or allegations, knowing that they will be heard and explored without judgement.

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

Staff celebrate and promote children’s positive behaviours and achievements frequently. Staff recognise each child’s individual needs and adapt rewards schemes to reflect these. One child is offered a gift from a box filled with gift-wrapped presents that staff know the child will enjoy. Another child is given ‘pom-poms’ that can be collected and exchanged for money for them to spend on an activity or treats. Children feel valued and that their positive behaviours are recognised. This supports them to develop their self-esteem and a positive sense of self.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a registered manager, who is dedicated, reflective and caring. She is focused on ensuring positive outcomes for children and is always looking for ways to improve the quality of care that children receive. The manager is approachable, driven and very efficient in her role. She is supported by a highly skilled deputy manager who has very good insight into each child’s lived experiences and ongoing needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 5 The management team has good oversight of all aspects of the home. The manager’s presence in the home is apparent both in her physical presence and her oversight of records and decisions made in the home. All incidents, assessments, care plans and day-to-day events are overseen by the management team. As a result, children receive care that is consistently safe and promotes their overall well- being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend regular, reflective supervision sessions and team meetings where they are able to share information and improve practice. Team meetings are used as a learning opportunity where staff present information and training on a variety of topics. The manager ensures that all staff complete a vast amount of training that is specific to children’s needs. This ensures that staff enhance their skills and have the necessary information to keep children safe and provide good-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has created a supportive and positive working environment in the home. Staff morale is high, and all staff speak passionately about how much they enjoy working in the home. One member of staff said, ‘I love working here. I feel 100% supported; the leadership is faultless.’ Another member of staff said, ‘[Name of manager] has turned the home around; she has given the home real direction and is really focused on staff development.’ Consequently, children are cared for by staff who enjoy being at work and are invested in their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The recruitment of staff is carefully planned to ensure that staff working in the home have the skills to meet the needs of children and share the ethos of the home. The manager involves children in the recruitment process. This provides children with the opportunity to put questions forward to potential members of staff through the manager. Additionally, safer recruitment systems ensure that staff working in the home are safe to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 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: 2699924 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Blue Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seighford Hall, Clanford Road, Seighford, Stafford ST18 9NL

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Inspector

Menaka De Silva, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2699924 8 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 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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