Children's home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 1 Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and support for up to 3 children with emotional and social difficulties. It is part of a local organisation that owns several homes.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of the visit.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted on 11 October 2023.

p.1

Inspection date: 26 February 2026

Date of last inspection: 21 October 2025

p.1

Inspection date: 26 February 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 26 February 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2748977 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children benefit from strong, trusting and secure relationships with staff. A child who has recently moved into the home described the staff team as ‘lovely’ and said that being here feels like having another family.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s mental health needs are being appropriately addressed through therapeutic support and through regular, purposeful conversations between staff and children. Staff have begun to update children’s plans to make them more comprehensive and to better reflect their individual needs, as well ensuring that they incorporate current concerns.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff actively involve children in decision-making within the home, including discussions about improvements to the environment, decor choices and the personalisation of their bedrooms. The home provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere and offers a setting that is consistent with a family environment.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

A new child recently moved into the home. Assessments prior to moving in identified competing needs and potential risks between children, with some strategies in place to mitigate. While some aspects of these assessments were clearly articulated, other areas were not clear or detailed enough to support staff to address the risk.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager has a clear understanding of the risks associated with each child and has taken effective steps to strengthen staff knowledge since the last inspection. Oversight within the home has improved following the introduction of an additional senior member of staff to support the day-to-day running of the service. This increased managerial presence has contributed to more consistent oversight of records and staff practice.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home or any physical interventions used since the last inspection. Staff have identified and reported some low-level safeguarding concerns using the organisation’s internal referral mechanism, and these concerns have been addressed and managed appropriately.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have developed a clear internet safety plan for one child, with structured steps to ensure they receive appropriate education about staying safe online.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

A plan developed for one child in relation to specific risks is not sufficiently clear. It lacks clarity about the precise concerns associated with this behaviour and is therefore too vague to guide staff effectively. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 3 The action plan developed following the last inspection has been used effectively to track and monitor the home’s progress, and all identified actions have now been completed. Leaders and managers have taken appropriate steps to ensure that the previous requirements and recommendations have been met. However, a new requirement has been issued.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager has reflected meaningfully on the previous concerns highlighted regarding the home, leading to significant learning and resulting in improved practice and oversight. The manager knows the children well and maintains a strong presence within the home. She is confident in advocating on their behalf, and the additional support provided since her return has further strengthened her capacity to do so.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff confidence in their practice has improved, following learning from previous incidents. The manager and senior leaders have provided regular supervision and team meetings, which has supported the enhancement of overall staff development.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

There are plans in place to continue recruiting staff to the home and to further develop the skills of the existing team, thereby continuing to enhance their practice. Additional training is also planned in relation to the specific needs of the children, for example, refresher training on grief and bereavement. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/04/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that any plans and assessments involving risk clearly specify the exact concerns, so that staff can recognise future issues or identify when risks are increasing. 1 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 30, Chivenor Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4AY

p.6

Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2748977 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7