Children's Home run by Blossom Children’s Homes Limited in Coventry

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2743155 1 Registered provider: Blossom Children’s Homes

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to six children with learning disabilities. The home is led by an experienced and suitably qualified manager.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, six children were living in the home. One child was present during the inspection and four children were in education.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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. Inspectors have 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: 2743155 2

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance inspection did not identify any serious or widespread concerns regarding the care or protection of children.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, six children were living in the home. Since the last full inspection, leaders and staff have supported one child in transitioning to a placement that is closer to home. To celebrate their achievements before departure, staff and peers held a takeaway evening, which helped the child to feel valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and staff maintain effective communication with the wider professional network. One professional praised their approach, stating, ‘They have been brilliant, communication has been fabulous. I receive weekly emails with a report on everything my child has done over the previous week.’ Leaders ensure that professionals and families are actively involved in key processes, including health assessments, to improve the collective understanding of the child’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Monitoring systems are consistently applied. The responsible individual has a robust framework in place to facilitate effective oversight. This enables the timely identification of shortfalls and supports managers and staff in promptly addressing actions.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and staff support children in accessing suitable education placements. The manager has recently advocated for one child to secure an appropriate provision, resulting in a confirmed start date for their new education plan. Other children continue to receive encouragement from staff to engage in regular education.

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Findings from the inspection

The environment is generally warm and welcoming. However, one child’s bedroom requires significant maintenance due to extensive damage. Staff provide emotional support and have sought additional external assistance for the child. A clear refurbishment plan is in place while staff continue to address the child’s emotional needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, managerial supervisions have improved. The responsible individual now conducts regular and detailed supervisions that cover key areas, such as managerial well-being, children’s progress and home-related actions. This has enhanced oversight and development opportunities for the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Recruitment practices are generally safe. However, on one occasion, verbal verification was not obtained for a staff member, and the written reference did not clarify whether there had been safeguarding concerns at their previous employment. As a result, it remains unclear how the manager ensured that the staff member was safe to work in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2743155 3 Regulation 40 notifications are mostly shared with Ofsted. However, on one occasion, an allegation made by a staff member was not reported, preventing the regulator from having oversight of the actions taken in response.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders respond appropriately to medication errors. One medication has occurred since the last inspection, and it is not yet evident whether staff have successfully embedded learning from previous incidents into practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The recommendation regarding recording was not reviewed during this inspection and will remain in place until the next assessment.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2743155 4

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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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children receive their medicines as prescribed. 1 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 Regulation 40(4) requires the registered person to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2743155 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blossom Children’s Homes

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Blossom Children, Unit 7-8, Moran House, 449-451 High Road, London NW10 2JJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Wakeling

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2743155 6 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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