Children's home run by Blossom Children’s Homes Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2843724 1 Registered provider: Blossom Children's Homes 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 home is privately owned and provides care for up to 5 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at 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 outstanding

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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: none Inspection report for children's home: 2843724 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress at this home, which is celebrated. Children's progress is encouraged through incentives that are aligned with children's interests and hobbies. For example, children with a poor experience of education have quickly increased their time they spend at their new school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children are new to the home and not at a school, the manager works collaboratively with education colleagues. This means that children's time away from school is minimised until an appropriate school place has been identified. For some children, they have a tutor that comes to the home each day. This means that there is more likelihood of a consistent approach to the child's learning and educational development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have begun to create strong bonds with the children. Both children have been at this home for a relatively short time. When children are identified as struggling to settle when key staff are away from the home, staff have found inventive ways to lower their anxieties and worries until key staff return.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have both significantly different and individual complex care needs. The staff team work dynamically with the children both as individuals and, where appropriate, together so that children can share activities. Staff are adept at changing the physical environment to ensure that both children's needs are met and that they are kept safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In one child's bedroom, the wardrobe was broken. However, this does not distract from an environment that is generally well maintained, warm and welcoming. Children benefit from a bespoke sensory room and several other areas where children can choose to relax.

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

There have been no instances of children going missing from the home. Risks to children are well understood by staff. Clear plans are put in place, with strategies to minimise potential risk. Managers and staff understand safeguarding risks. This means that they are vigilant and have professional curiosity.

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

Children have not made any complaints. Managers ensure that the children have every opportunity to make their views, wishes and feelings known. Because the children who live at the home have complex communication methods, when required, staff offer verbal cues, symbols and pictures.

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

When children are involved in incidents, staff provide detailed records of what led up to the incident and the measures they took to try to reduce children's anxieties. Sufficient detail enables the manager to analyse the incident and consider if changes are needed Inspection report for children's home: 2843724 3 to children's plans. Staff use key-work sessions to help children learn and understand why decisions are made in their best interests after an incident. When required, staff use pictures and symbols to help children to understand.

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

When children have medication, the process that staff must follow is clear. Only staff who have received training and had their competency checked can take the lead in this process. This means that the likelihood of a mistake is minimised.

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

The manager generally prioritises the health and safety of the home, and this is robust. However, one area of risk identified through a fire risk assessment has not been acted upon straight away.

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

The provider has a robust set of employment checks and balances. This ensures that only staff who are safe to work with the vulnerable children at this home are employed to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly ambitious for the children. They lead an energetic and motivated staff team. Staff are focused on the care and support they provide to the children. As this is a relatively new children's home and staff team, the registered manager has quickly identified the strengths and areas for further improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager leads by example. Together with skilled team managers, they are developing new and innovative ways to share information with children and their families. They have developed information about the home that is highly individualised and based on the communication methods of individual children. Furthermore, they are exploring ways about how this information can be interactive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A comprehensive induction programme is in place for new staff. Staff appreciate the organisation's approach, finding it valuable, and they feel well prepared with essential knowledge and skills before they work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say that they are very well supported to help them develop skills to look after children with complex care and health needs. They have general and specific training. When needed, they have had specialised health training from a hospital consultant. In addition, staff have regular opportunities that help with their development. Supervision and team meetings, which are held regularly, are informative and encourage the staff to speak about children in detail. This means that children are more likely to receive care that is informed by training and responsive to their complex care needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works in close collaboration with external professional agencies. They keep professionals continually updated regarding the children and their needs. This means that children receive the best possible joined-up care. The manager has strongly advocated for the children to ensure that their wishes are heard and acted on when required. Inspection report for children's home: 2843724 4

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Recommendations

 For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children's homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional 'impression. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the Quality Standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2843724 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Blossom Children's Homes Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Blossom Children, Unit 7-8, Moran House, 449-451 High Road, London NW10 2JJ

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Matthew Wakeling

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2843724 6 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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