Children's home run by Park Blue Homes Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 1 Registered provider: Park Blue 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 operated. It provides care for up to 4 children who may have learning disabilities and experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke with and observed interactions with all the children 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 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: 27 January 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good g

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/01/2025 Full Good 20/11/2023 Full Good 05/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/12/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting and positive relationships with staff. Some children have lived at the home for a long time. Staff understand the children’s complex health needs and are skilled at understanding their different communication methods. Professional feedback highlights that staff communication skills is a key strength in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves to the home are well planned and focused on their needs and understanding. Staff work quickly to promote clear routines and boundaries for children. This helps children to settle and have positive beginnings to living at the home and they make progress as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to have a broad range of positive experiences. Children are encouraged by staff to develop new interests and learn new skills. Some children have had their first holiday abroad with staff. One professional said, ‘I never thought that [Name of child] would try anything new but the staff are so good at promoting new activities.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well understood, and staff support them to maintain good physical and emotional health. When children have developing health needs, staff are persistent with medical professionals to ensure that children get the right treatments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Recent home improvements to the interior and garden are focused on increasing opportunities for children. Children enjoy spending time in the newly improved areas, and this has enhanced their experience of living at the home.

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

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Staff understand children’s individual vulnerabilities and how to keep them safe. Where risks escalate, staff work with relevant professionals to discuss and develop strategies to increase children’s safety.

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

Children’s risk assessments and behaviour support plans are clearly written and reviewed regularly. Staff frequently discuss safeguarding strategies as a team to maintain a consistent approach and care for children safely.

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

Children are helped to understand their worries and communicate these to staff and adults who they trust. Children have an increased ability to identify and manage their own emotions and children feel their views are valued.

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

Staff use physical intervention as a last resort to keep children safe. When this is judged to be necessary, records clearly state what was done to avoid their use. Children and staff are spoken with after the incident and appropriate action is taken to repair relationships when this is needed. Management oversight clearly records reflection and Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 4 lessons learned. This helps staff to develop effective de-escalation strategies to help children in crisis.

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

Not all medication records are completed as they should be. Although this has not affected children. Record keeping needs attention to ensure that there are accurate medication administration tasks being completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is enthusiastic about improving and maximising outcomes for children. She is inspirational to staff and provides a high degree of visible support and positive challenge for the team. Staff say they are confident in the support and leadership that the manager brings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths of the team and areas she would like to develop. Thorough monitoring systems give her a clear overview of the performance of staff and the progress of children. This assists her to identify and implement improvements in a timely and effective manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The ethos in the home is positive, embraced by all staff and focused on the children that live there. The manager is ambitious for what children can achieve and has high expectations of the staff to meet these ambitions. The manager said, ‘The children are the lifeblood running through this home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has an extensive knowledge of the complex development and health needs of the children. The manager engages with medical professionals and communities to improve her understanding of these needs. The manager is committed to providing staff with specific training to help them meet children’s needs effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When the manager identifies shortfalls in responses from professionals or staff practice, she acts in a timely manner to escalate and address any concerns. The manager is collaborative with professionals and focused on working together to enhance the lives of children. Professionals speak highly of the supportive approach of the manager and staff. Professionals highly value the excellent communication. One social worker said, ‘Communication is brilliant. I have weekly notes on a Friday, and updates about everything.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage medications. This specifically relates to ensuring that records accurately reflect necessary medication stock checks. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: 2509892 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 38 Freemans Way, Harrogate HG3 1DH

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Inspector

Mark Cryer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2509892 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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