Children's home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Ealing

Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 1 SC414516 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 home is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2010.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living in the home. The inspector met and spoke with all three children.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2025 Full Outstanding 20/02/2024 Full Outstanding 01/03/2023 Full Outstanding 08/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 3

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outstanding

Children experience warm, nurturing and individualised care in an environment where they feel safe, valued and respected. A strong sense of belonging is evident throughout, reinforced by thoughtful personal touches such as photographs that celebrate children’s identities and achievements. The atmosphere is inclusive and family orientated, enabling children to feel recognised and take pride in who they are. Outdoor spaces are a significant strength, offering rich opportunities for exploration and learning, including a calming Zen garden, a creatively designed flower area and a beekeeping space, all of which encourage curiosity, engagement and a connection with nature.

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outstanding

Children benefit from innovative and meaningful opportunities that promote their understanding of sustainability and the wider world. The ‘eco project’, which includes a greenhouse powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, exemplifies this commitment. Children are actively involved in environmental initiatives, developing practical skills alongside a sense of responsibility. These experiences enhance their personal development and enable them to contribute positively to their surroundings while gaining valuable knowledge for the future.

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outstanding

Children make excellent progress and are recognised beyond their home for their achievements. Recent commendations from the local authority reflect the high quality of care and support provided. One child has received an outstanding achievement award for extensive charitable work, demonstrating the significant impact of consistent encouragement and guidance from staff. Such success highlights how children are supported to develop confidence, resilience and a strong moral purpose, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

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outstanding

Relationships between staff and children are positive, characterised by warmth, trust and genuine affection. Staff demonstrate in depth understanding of each child’s individual needs, preferences and personality, allowing them to respond with sensitivity and consistency. Interactions are playful yet purposeful, creating a secure base from which children can explore and grow. As a result, children present as relaxed, self-assured and emotionally secure, and they thrive in an environment where they feel consistently understood and supported.

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outstanding

Education is a significant strength and is prioritised effectively. Children make excellent academic progress, supported by high expectations and consistent encouragement. One child is successfully prepping for SATs and is due to transition to a mainstream secondary school, reflecting both academic achievement and increased confidence. This progress demonstrates a strong educational focus and commitment to ensuring children achieve their full potential, equipping them with skills and aspirations needed for continued success. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 4

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outstanding

Children are kept safe through proactive, consistent and highly effective practice. Safeguarding incidents are rare, reflecting the strength of relationships between staff and children and the ability of staff to identify and respond to emerging risks at an early stage. Skilled intervention, combined with a strong understanding of each child, prevents situations from escalating and ensures that children feel secure, supported and always protected.

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outstanding

Following a serious incident involving one child, the response from staff was exemplary and demonstrated a reflective and restorative approach. After the child became subject to a youth justice order, a comprehensive programme of reparation and targeted support was implemented. This work was recognised by the youth justice service as fully aligned with their expectations, highlighting the high quality and effectiveness of the intervention provided.

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outstanding

Ongoing, structured key work sessions provide children with meaningful opportunities to reflect on their experiences and behaviour. Staff facility open, honest and appropriately challenging discussions, enabling children to understand the impact of their actions and take responsibility for their choices. One child has spoken positively about the support received, and this consistent approach is reinforced through team discussions and shared learning, ensuring that practise remains focused on safety and continuous improvement.

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outstanding

Risk management is highly effective and underpinned by clear, well-structured and regularly reviewed assessments. Risks are thoughtfully categorised, with detailed identification of triggers and practical strategies to reduce harm. Guidance for staff is explicit and accessible, promoting consistency in responses and strengthening safeguarding practice, ensuring that all staff have a shared and comprehensive understanding of how to keep children safe.

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outstanding

Incidents of children going missing are infrequent and managed with a high level of care and professionalism. When concerns arise, staff respond promptly and in line with procedures, prioritising children safety and well-being. Careful and forward- thinking planning, particularly in preparation for increased independence, enables children to take appropriate risks within safe boundaries. This measured approach has been highly effective in reducing risk, preventing escalation and supporting children to develop safer decision making and greater personal responsibility.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers provide inspirational and highly effective leadership that consistently drives excellent outcomes for children. There is a clear and ambitious vision centred on creating a nurturing, family-style environment where children feel secure, valued and able to thrive. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 5 This ethos is embedded across practice and is actively modelled by both the manager and deputy, whose strong, visible leadership ensures that high standards are maintained. Forward planning is a particular strength, with the deputy manager being effectively developed to ensure continuity and sustained high quality leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak positively about the support and guidance they receive, describing a strong sense of teamwork and shared purpose. This culture of mutual respect and collaboration is evident in daily practice and contributes to a stable, nurturing environment for children. Observations of interactions confirm that relationships between staff and children are warm, respectful and genuine, reflecting a culture that is consistently experienced by children as caring and supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnership working is highly effective and contributes significantly to children’s stability and progress. Professionals provide very positive feedback, highlighting strong communication and a proactive approach to collaboration. Staff work constructively with external agencies and demonstrate a clear commitment to maintaining important relationships for children, including during family time. This coordinated approach ensures that children benefit from consistent support and strengthened connections with those who are important to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Systems for monitoring and review are robust and promote reflective practice across the staff team. Team meetings and well-structured and focused, ensuring that current issues and emerging needs are promptly identified and addressed. These forums provide valuable opportunities for shared learning, open discussion and critical reflection. Following significant incidents, staff are actively encouraged to reflect on practice and consider how best to support children, resulting in a thoughtful, consistent and well-coordinated approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision arrangements are regular and effective, providing staff with appropriate support and oversight. Leaders demonstrate commitment to continual improvement and recognise the importance of further strengthening reflective practice within supervision. Ongoing development in this area is well considered and reflects a proactive approach to enhancing already strong practice, ensuring that staff remain equipped to deliver the highest standards of care and support. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 6

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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: SC414516 7

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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: Blue Mountain Homes Ltd, 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

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC414516 8 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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