Children's home run by First Blue Healthcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 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 privately owned home provides care for up to three children with learning disabilities and children who have been affected by adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 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

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

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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: 2724741 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/11/2023 Full Good 27/09/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 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 at the home. Two children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build warm, trusting relationships with children, which have a positive impact on their emotional well-being. They spend meaningful time engaging in activities that children enjoy, enabling them to develop a strong understanding of each child’s individual needs, preferences and personality. As a result, staff respond to children in a nurturing and supportive manner.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel valued, understood and well cared for. One child said, ‘I adore the staff here. I have a good relationship with almost all the staff. They are great.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is prioritised. Staff work proactively to ensure that children have access to suitable learning opportunities. Strong partnerships with education professionals help to remove barriers to engagement and ensure that a range of educational activities are offered in line with children’s individual learning styles. As a result, one child has been able to access a tutor and explore vocational options that reflect their interests. This personalised and responsive approach supports children’s motivation and engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a range of engaging activities that reflect their individual interests and preferences. For example, one child has attended a football match and regularly enjoys cycling, while another enjoys arts and crafts within the home. These experiences are thoughtfully planned and contribute positively to children’s personal development, helping them to build confidence and develop new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with family and friends are actively promoted and prioritised. Staff provide consistent support to help children maintain meaningful connections with their families, including facilitating transport and offering emotional support during family time when needed. Children feel well supported in sustaining these relationships, which helps them to develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are actively sought and used in everyday decision-making. Staff use a variety of methods to gather and respond to children’s wishes. Children are meaningfully involved in decisions such as meal planning and the decoration of their home environment. This inclusive approach helps children to feel heard and promotes a sense of ownership and involvement in their daily lives.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. On the few occasions when they do, staff respond promptly and appropriately. They actively search for children and work Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 4 effectively with external agencies to ensure a coordinated response that prioritises the child’s safety and swift return. This approach helps children to feel wanted and cared for, reinforcing the positive relationships they have with staff.

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

The stability and consistency of therapeutic care provided by staff has had a positive impact on children’s emotional development and safety. Children are now able to express their feelings more openly, seek support when needed and understand their emotions more effectively. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s emotional needs and respond in a calm, supportive manner that promotes resilience and emotional growth.

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

The use of physical intervention is rare and is used when necessary and as a last resort. Staff are skilled in de-escalating challenging situations, using their understanding of each child’s individual needs to manage their anxieties effectively. On the few occasions where physical intervention has been required, it has been carried out safely and appropriately. This reflects the staff’s commitment to promoting a calm and supportive environment for children.

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

Children’s concerns and complaints are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Children are kept informed about the actions taken by managers in response to the concerns they raise, and children are provided with clear outcomes. This transparent and responsive approach helps children to feel heard, valued and confident to share any worries or concerns.

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

Consequences used by staff with children are restorative and proportionate. This approach provides children with meaningful opportunities to reflect on their actions and learn from them. As a result, children are supported to take responsibility for their actions in a constructive way.

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

Safer recruitment practices are firmly in place, ensuring that staff working with children are appropriately vetted and safe to do so. Robust checks are completed prior to employment, which helps to protect children and maintain a safe and secure environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and skilled manager, who places children at the centre of her decision-making. The leadership team is strong and provides effective oversight of the home. Robust monitoring systems are in place, enabling leaders to maintain a clear understanding of children’s progress and staff practice. This ensures that children’s care remains consistent and responsive to children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s presence in the home is evident both through her physical involvement and within her oversight of written records. She has developed positive relationships with the children and takes time to engage with them directly. Her active involvement in their daily care enables her to gain a strong understanding of each child’s needs and lived Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 5 experiences. This contributes to a well-informed and child-centred approach to her leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals consistently speak highly of the care provided to children. One professional praised the regular updates they received regarding the child they were working with, highlighting effective communication and collaboration. Another commented, ‘[Name of Child] has established excellent relationships with a stable staff group.’ These strong and positive relationships contribute to consistency in care and support a holistic approach to meeting children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team morale is high, and staff speak positively about the leadership of the home. Regular supervision and team meetings take place and are used as opportunities for reflection, learning and promoting staff well-being. Staff feel well supported and confident to approach managers with any challenges, contributing to a positive, open and reflective working environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff in the home are qualified. One member of staff is currently in the process of completing the required qualification. However, this has not been achieved in the required timescales. Although this has been identified and raised by the manager, it has not resulted in sufficient progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role, including external agency or bank staff, have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant timescale listed in regulation 32(5). The registered person may extend the time period if the member of staff hasn’t worked in the role for a prolonged period, such as sick leave or maternity leave, or if it is not reasonable to expect the member of staff to complete in this timescale due to the nature of the hours they work. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: 2724741 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’s

Menaka De Silva, Social Care Inspector Dean Wilton, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2724741 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 looked- after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector’s

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Inspector’s

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Inspector’s

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