Children's home run by Blossom Care Group Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2745326 1 Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. The home was registered in March 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent manager who registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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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: 2745326 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2745326 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. Since the last inspection, four children have moved into the home and four have moved out. During the inspection, the inspector spoke with two children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is comfortable and well maintained. The addition of a new trampoline and garden furniture has enhanced the outdoor space, providing children with more opportunities to enjoy time outside. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their individual tastes, and photos of staff and children engaging in activities are displayed throughout the home, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed into the home with sensitivity and care, whether their move is planned or occurs in an emergency. Staff ensure that transitions are managed with the most effective planning possible to reduce anxiety and promote stability. One child was admitted to the home within hours of leaving the care of their parents. The manager responded swiftly by purchasing furniture and personal items for the child’s bedroom before their arrival. This child-centred approach helped the child feel welcomed and supported during a particularly difficult time in their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s welfare is central to staff practice. Their day-to-day needs are consistently met, and they are well understood by the staff who care for them. Staff celebrate all achievements, big or small, which contributes positively to children’s self-esteem and emotional development. Children are supported to build secure and trusting relationships with staff. They are listened to, and staff invest time in getting to know them well. As a result, children feel safe, valued and emotionally supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress in education. All children attend school full time and have excellent attendance. Given their starting points, this represents a significant achievement. Staff promote education by taking children to and from school daily, reinforcing a sense of routine and connection to the home. Staff are ambitious for children and advocate strongly for their educational success. When one child experienced difficulties at school, staff promptly requested a meeting with education professionals to ensure appropriate support was in place early in the academic year.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are identified and addressed without delay. Staff ensure that children attend health appointments and seek appropriate advice when needed. Strong relationships with health professionals contribute to positive health outcomes. Staff are responsive to each child’s preferred method of communication, ensuring they feel heard and understood. The use of individualised ‘feelings communicators’ on bedroom doors supports children to express how they are feeling and enables staff to respond sensitively and appropriately to their emotional needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745326 4

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

Children are protected from harm. Risks are well understood, and a proactive approach to safeguarding helps reduce the likelihood of harm. When allegations are made against staff, these are thoroughly investigated, and appropriate safeguarding agencies are informed without delay.

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

Children are able to identify trusted staff in the home. Staff use their positive relationships with children to exercise professional curiosity, which strengthens safeguarding practice. One child has been supported through the implementation of ‘crisis’ and ‘non-crisis’ plans. Staff are skilled in recognising changes in the child’s mood and presentation, which informs the care and support provided.

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

When children go missing, staff respond promptly and appropriately. There is a well- coordinated, proactive approach, and safeguarding agencies are notified quickly. Staff work collaboratively with external professionals to locate the child. When children return to the home, they are welcomed with warmth and care, including being offered food, comfort and emotional support.

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

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff consult with children about how best to support them, which empowers children and ensures that strategies are tailored to their needs. This child-centred approach enhances the effectiveness of de-escalation techniques when incidents occur.

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

Restraint is only used when necessary to protect children or others. Incidents are recorded, reviewed and monitored by leaders. Children are talked to afterwards in a timely manner, and their views are sought to inform staff understanding of their needs and experiences. This reflective practice helps identify ways to reduce future risks and ensures children receive nurturing care during and after incidents.

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

Recruitment practices are careful and robust. Management oversight of employment checks helps prevent unsuitable individuals from being employed in the home.

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

Medication is managed safely and competently. Staff receive training in the storage, handling and administration of medicines early in their employment. Health and safety procedures are monitored effectively to ensure a safe environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high aspirations for the home and is deeply committed to achieving positive outcomes for children. This commitment is embedded in the culture of the home. The manager is well supported by a suitably experienced responsible individual.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is sufficiently staffed to meet the needs of children. Children receive consistent, high-quality care from staff who are motivated and want the best for them. Staff enjoy working in the home and feel well supported by leaders and managers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745326 5 Regular team meetings provide opportunities for staff to reflect on practice, discuss events in the home and identify ways to improve care. Staff describe these meetings as central to maintaining high morale and team cohesion.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are child focused when making decisions about admissions. They ensure that staff have the skills and experience to meet each child’s identified needs at the point of admission. Impact risk assessments are thorough and carefully consider the needs of children already living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are well established and effective. These provide leaders and managers with strong oversight of the home and enable shortfalls to be identified and addressed promptly. Leaders and managers use learning from practice and feedback from children and stakeholders to improve the quality of care and experiences for children. Feedback from professionals is consistently positive and reflects strong working relationships with the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Notifications of serious incidents are made appropriately and in a timely manner. This enables external agencies to monitor safeguarding practice effectively and ensures transparency in how concerns are managed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, practice-related supervision that focuses on the needs of children and supports professional development. The emotional impact of the work is recognised and managed well. Mentor sessions offer additional support and focus on specific areas, such as social media trends. These sessions help staff to quickly develop their knowledge and better understand the risks and challenges children face.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers invest in staff development. Training opportunities are regularly provided to enhance staff skills and knowledge. Learning is tailored to the specific needs of children. For example, when one child experienced ongoing mental health difficulties, all staff completed a course to equip them with up-to-date research and strategies to improve their response. This demonstrates attuned and responsive care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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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: 2745326 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blossom Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 7 Faraday Court, Centrum One Hundred, Burton-on- Trent DE14 2WX

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Inspector

Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2745326 7 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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