Children's Home run by Blue Elephant Childcare Limited in Devon

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793592 1 Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and support for up to 2 children with emotional and social difficulties. It is part of a local organisation that owns several homes.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection there were 2 children living in the home. The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025. The manager was not present for the inspection, which was completed with the responsible individual. The inspector spent time with children.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2793592 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Children in the home have trusted and positive relationships with the staff team. Staff have regular, important and detailed conversations with them to support their emotional wellbeing and overall development and progress. The team is insightful in respect of the children’s needs and presentation and staff notice if there is a change in their demeanour, which they then address directly through conversations.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s social, emotional and physical needs are being met. They have regular access to fun activities and experiences which are supporting them with their overall development. Staff have a good understanding of their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests and support and promote these. Children are actively encouraged to try new things and to engage with the wider community. For example, one child regularly attends Guides and another attends Army Cadets.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views are considered in decision-making and the manager has advocated on their behalf in respect of important issues for them, such as ensuring letterbox contact was set up between one child and their adopted sibling. This particular piece of advocacy has had a very positive impact for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks in relation to the children and are managing these. A recent incident which took place shortly before the visit has been responded to appropriately, and effective proactive safeguards have been put in place to attempt to reduce the risk of this type of incident happening again. Staff have also used what happened to have supportive and curious conversations with the child to identify the potential reasons behind this recent behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks and behaviours in respect of one child and they respond to these appropriately. This has resulted in a significant decrease in incidents since the child first moved into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Plans and risk assessments are clear in respect of the risks in relation to the children, and when a new child moved into the home the potential impact of their competing needs was fully explored and discussed by senior leaders, involving the wider staff team. Some plans are less clear in respect of where certain risks have developed from and why certain external agencies are being accessed.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the areas of strength and areas of development in the home and have plans in place to address these. They have used the learning from previous incidents, as well as visits by the independent visitor and internal audits to improve, for example, their plans and records to be more child focused and child centred. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793592 3 Staff are provided with effective support and training to undertake their roles, including some more specialist training to support the specific needs of the children in the home. Core team members have remained working in the home despite having experienced some challenges, which indicates that the support they have received from leaders and managers has been effective.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded effectively to the previous requirements and recommendations from the last inspection, and these have been successfully met. No new recommendations or requirements have been raised following this assurance visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793592 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/01/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793592 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blue Elephant Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793592 6 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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Inspector

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