Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Doncaster

Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 1 Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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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 operated home provides care for up to 4 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2017, and the manager registered in April 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. Two children were spoken with during the inspection.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Good 15/11/2022 Full Good 07/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress and support is tailored to children’s individual needs and lived experiences. The registered manager and staff support children to understand their identity and encourage them to express themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are respected and nurtured. Children experience positive interactions with staff, which encourages a sense of belonging. Children’s creativity and talents are promoted, with arts and crafts displayed proudly throughout the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved on from the home since the last inspection, and lessons have been learned. Extensive consideration has been given to the matching process to ensure that the needs of children who are transitioning into and out of the home are appropriately considered against those of the children already living in the home. This demonstrates that the needs of all children for whom the home is responsible are a priority

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager shows professional curiosity about the health needs of children. One child has been supported to obtain an up-to-date health assessment and a review of their prescribed medication. This enabled them to make progress in terms of their individual health needs and see a reduction in the medical treatment required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are supported to have safe contact with important family members who live out of the area, which aligns with children’s care plans, while respecting their expressed wishes and feelings. Children therefore feel listened to and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they feel safe and there is a clear sense of belonging. Children’s bedrooms reflect their individuality. However, restrictions are in place on windows throughout the home, which is disproportionate to the risks experienced by children. Where restraints are necessary, this should be kept under regular review.

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

The registered manager and staff respond to children with empathy and curiosity. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the impact of trauma for children and ensure that children are not shamed for their behaviours. Trauma-informed practice is well understood and embedded into the staff’s interactions with children.

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

Children have access to an independent advocate. Children say they feel safe and are confident when sharing their views and opinions with staff.

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

Physical interventions are used proportionately and respectfully to keep children safe. Children receive appropriate debriefs and are consulted accordingly. Incidents are Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 4 recorded in detail and the relevant professionals involved in the care of the children are informed.

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

Children do not regularly go missing from home. When children do go missing from home, staff follow the agreed plans and search for them and keep the necessary professionals informed. Children are supported through key-working sessions to develop their understanding of the risks of going missing from care.

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

The registered manager ensures that safer recruitment practice is followed. Staff who come to work in the home are vetted and have the necessary skills to support children. This has helped children to develop trust and to have positive and safe relationships with those caring for them.

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

Risks around internet use are addressed via regular key-working sessions. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of online safety and support children to understand this. However, age-appropriate restrictions are not in place or reviewed for all children to ensure that they have healthy daily routines.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has formed a stable and dedicated team of staff, who demonstrate commitment to the children and undertake all necessary training to enhance the support given to children. This has helped staff and children to navigate a previously unsettled period in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals about the communication received from the registered manager and staff about the care of the children is positive. The manager has advocated effectively for the children to support progress in their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the registered manager, and a high level of staff morale was directly observed during the inspection. Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which are reflective. Constructive feedback is given to staff around practice issues by the registered manager, and she has a comprehensive plan in place for further staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a reflective practitioner, who demonstrates a thorough understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. They have a clear plan to address improvement, and this includes the need to delegate tasks and to ensure the individual needs of children are the focus of staff training and induction. Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 5

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should ensure that any restrictions placed on the children’s freedoms, such as window restrictors, are necessary and proportionate, agreed with professionals involved with the children and kept under review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraphs 3.9 and 3.10 and page 47, paragraph 9.41).  The registered manager should continue to assess the risks to each child on a day-to- day basis, particularly in terms of online safety and use of the internet where this may impact upon children’s daily routine. ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5).

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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: 1264438 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 21 Mallard Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8GX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pradeep Manaktala

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Inspector

Sarah Adotey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1264438 7 regulates 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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