Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 1 Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a local private organisation that operates several other homes in the area. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. They were seen and spoken to by the inspector. Three children have moved out since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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: 17 September 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2024 Full Good 04/07/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with care that recognises their individual needs, histories and personalities. Children talk about their home in a positive way, with one child saying how much staff have helped them grow and develop. All children make progress in relation to their education, health and emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to spend time with their family members and those who are important to them. Children’s wishes and feelings are well understood by staff, and they have multiple opportunities to express these.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s health needs and ensure that they attend necessary appointments. As well as supporting physical health, staff promote children’s positive emotional health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager plans well for children moving into the home, understanding the needs of the child moving in alongside the needs of the children currently living at the home. When moves have not been successful, the manager reviews and identifies learning to improve the process. However, this planning does not always consider all the known risks for children. This means that actions for staff to mitigate potential risks are not always clearly identified.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children prepare for their futures. One child has recently moved out to live in their own flat, and another is imminently leaving to join the Armed Forces. This child recognises they would not have achieved this without support from staff. When there have been unplanned moves from the home, leaders have carried out learning reviews. All children leave with memory books, documenting their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming with photos of the children throughout. Bedrooms are personalised according to children’s interests and include photos of people who are important to them.

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

Staff understand children’s needs and vulnerabilities, as well as the risks to them. Staff focus on building relationships with children and maintaining clear boundaries to help them feel safe. Staff have meaningful conversations with children to help them understand important topics, such as healthy relationships and consent. Training for staff has focused on developing their knowledge about gangs and criminal exploitation to ensure that they have the skills to meet children’s needs. Staff have carried out meaningful work with one child to address risks in these areas. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 4 A significant incident occurred between two children in the home. The manager’s response was strong and focused on the safety and protection of children. There have been no further related concerns.

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

Any concerns children raise about staff practice are taken seriously, and the manager notifies the relevant safeguarding authorities as needed. The manager ensures that children are spoken to about the outcome of the concerns they raise.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff keep in touch with the child and try to find them. Staff contact appropriate agencies to seek support as needed. The manager and staff implement plans to prevent further missing-from-home incidents from occurring.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably skilled and experienced. They understand the home’s strengths and areas for development. The manager strongly advocates on behalf of the children in her care, and this has supported positive outcomes. The children speak of how much they feel the manager speaks on their behalf and how strongly she advocates and ‘gets things sorted’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working at the home and feel well supported by the manager and senior leaders. Staff receive regular supervision, which is reflective and child focused. Managers set clear actions and objectives for staff to support the development of their practice. Team meetings offer staff further opportunities to explore children’s progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professional relationships with external agencies have been key in helping children to make progress. One child has successfully maintained their new school place, and another child has moved into their own property away from the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training for staff is based on children’s individual needs. Further training is arranged and provided to enhance their skills as required. The manager has recognised the challenges for one child with respect to a lack of diversity in the local area and has accessed specialist training to enhance her knowledge and that of the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One parent noted they had received good communication with the home, and they felt their child was happy there. Professionals working outside the home report good communication and effective multi-agency working, which supports the children, such as in their education setting. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they consider all known risks for children when assessing their suitability to live at the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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: 2682000 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30, Chivenor Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4AY

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682000 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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