Children's home run by Blue Dolphin Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 1 Registered provider: Blue Dolphin Care Ltd 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 manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

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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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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a home that is welcoming, spacious and maintained to a good standard. The environment is personalised and homely, with photos of children and their artwork proudly displayed. Children are encouraged to decorate their own bedrooms, which helps them to express their individuality and feel a sense of ownership. For example, one child has created a football-themed bedroom, while another has chosen to use LED lights to personalise their space.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with people who are important to them are promoted in line with their wishes and feelings. One child has been supported to spend more time with their family, which has had a positive impact on their overall well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know children well and build trusting, nurturing relationships with them. They listen carefully to children’s views and ensure that these are considered in day-to-day decisions. Observations of staff practice show that children’s needs and experiences are at the centre of care provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

On one occasion, a placement risk assessment did not sufficiently reflect the needs and risks for a child. This contributed to a placement breakdown, which was unplanned and emotionally difficult for the child and disruptive for others in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

However, the leadership team responded effectively and demonstrated strong capacity for learning. They completed a thorough review and developed new processes, including an improved placement assessment tool. As a result, subsequent admissions have been carefully planned, with multi-agency input and strong communication. A recent move into the home was described by a professional as ‘seamless’, with the child experiencing a positive and well-managed arrival.

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

Risk assessment documents are regularly reviewed and updated. They contain good levels of detail, and children are actively encouraged to contribute to their behaviour support plans. This helps them to share their views about potential triggers and the strategies that staff can use to support them. While most documents are well written, in one instance the language used in a risk assessment was not child friendly.

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

Children are aware of how to make a complaint. Since the last inspection, there has been only one complaint from a child. This was addressed promptly and appropriately by the manager. The child reported feeling satisfied with the outcome and expressed appreciation to the manager for listening and responding to their concerns. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 3 Physical interventions are rare. There has been just one intervention, which was managed safely and appropriately. Records are detailed and show that de-escalation techniques were used before the intervention took place. Records also include a debrief discussion with the child and reflective practice discussions with the staff involved.

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

Procedures for responding to missing-from-home episodes are clear and well implemented. These incidents are not frequent, but when they do occur, staff respond swiftly and appropriately. They actively search for children, contact them directly and liaise with the police and other agencies as needed. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and the risks associated with going missing from home.

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

Safeguarding incidents are generally well managed. Reports are detailed, timely, and include reflections from both children and staff. Managers provide clear oversight and review records to ensure learning is identified and shared without delay.

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

There have been some delays in the submission of regulation 40 notifications to Ofsted. On one occasion, Ofsted was not notified about a serious practice issue relating to a staff member. The manager has acknowledged this shortfall and is reviewing processes to ensure compliance moving forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a strong advocate for the children in her care. She consistently strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for children. The manager knows the children extremely well and was able to discuss each child in detail. Children are clearly at the heart of practice in this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the positive culture and the support they receive from leaders. They describe an environment where children’s individual needs are well understood and where children are spoken about with warmth and respect. Staff benefit from a thorough induction and an ongoing training programme, which gives them confidence in their roles. A learning culture is embedded, ensuring that children’s evolving needs are consistently met. Staff and managers also work closely with professionals and advocate strongly on behalf of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings and regular supervision discussions provide opportunities for staff to reflect on practice and their own development. These sessions are focused on both the well-being of children and the staff team. Practice issues are addressed quickly and constructively, either on an individual basis or with the wider team when appropriate. Reflection following incidents is embedded in practice and underpinned by a comprehensive workforce development plan. As a result, children benefit from a consistent, skilled and caring staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and staff have established strong working relationships with local authorities and other professionals. Communication is described as excellent, and professionals highlight Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 4 the team’s commitment and availability. One professional noted how the staff team went above and beyond to support a child moving from secure accommodation, ensuring the planned move was handled sensitively. Another professional praised the ‘brilliant’ work undertaken with a child’s family member to strengthen family relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual is active and visible in the running of the home. The manager feels well supported, and this is reflected in the quality of oversight evident in records. The responsible individual demonstrates a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the home, which supports continued improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 5

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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. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. 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)  The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. The notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the

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Recommendations

quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)  The registered person should work with the placing authority to ensure that each child’s move is planned and that they are helped to prepare for leaving, both practically and emotionally. As well as longer-term support for children to move on from the home effectively, the home has an important role in supporting each child leaving the home in the period immediately before their departure. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.9)

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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: 2821710 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Dolphin Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Butler Street, West Bromwich B70 9ND

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2821710 7 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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