Children's Home run by Park Blue Homes Limited in Durham

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 1 SC453372

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Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately operated. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Five children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Three children were spoken with by the inspectors.

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Inspection date: 10 February 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 2

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance inspection was carried out due to an increase in safeguarding notifications and concerns being raised with Ofsted. We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children like living in the home. One child said, ‘I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.’ Children like to spend time with staff and enjoy doing activities. Staff also help children explore and engage in new experiences they want to try, and staff give them confidence to do so. One child who began rock climbing has now progressed well with the sport, helped by the support and encouragement from staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work well with external services. When children’s needs escalate and require intensive help from an outside agency, the manager ensures that this is sought, and children receive the help that they need. Furthermore, when staff need additional support around managing difficult behaviour, they receive support from the provider’s clinical team through team meetings or clinical supervision sessions.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are helped by staff to engage in education. Existing school placements are maintained when children are admitted, including when these are far from the home. This allows children to maintain friendships and support networks they already have. When children wish to change school, staff discuss options with children and advocate for the most appropriate provision for them. This helps children to feel heard and valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are helped to reflect on their behaviour when difficulties arise. Staff support children to develop better ways of coping when they experience overwhelming emotions. Staff follow agreed strategies effectively to help children through periods of distress.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations are managed effectively. When concerns were raised about a staff member’s practice, the manager communicated with relevant agencies to investigate the concern appropriately. This gives children confidence to share difficult things with staff, and they feel safe to do so.

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Findings from the inspection

Restraint practice is used appropriately when needed to keep children safe. However, the manager has used a form of physical intervention that only they are trained in. This means staff are not trained in using this approved hold. Therefore, they are not fully equipped to use holds that contribute to keeping children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move into the home, risks are not fully considered. The manager did not identify the potential effect of children living together and the timeliness of admitting a child to the home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2025 Full Good 03/06/2024 Full Good 22/08/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)) 8 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that arrangements are in place to— 8 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 5 ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; and

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii)) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 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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Inspectors

Gary Smithson, Social Care Inspector (lead) Kirstie Sutherland, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC453372 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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