Children's Home run by Begin to Blossom Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 1 Registered provider: Begin to Blossom 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 owned. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The inspector had the opportunity to spend time with the child during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 13 November 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 3

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outstanding

The staff are highly committed to offering the child a strong sense of belonging. The home environment is warm and made personal to the child. The child has strong relationships with staff and enjoys spending time with them in the home and during ‘Costa catch up’s’. The child said that ‘staff are like family and the house is home.’

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outstanding

Staff have a thorough understanding of the child’s individual needs and help the child to access all required health services. The staff are extremely committed to providing the child with highly individualised care and work closely with specialist health services. The registered manager shares research with staff and this helps them to further understand the child’s changing needs. The care offered by staff has assisted the child to make sustained progress in many areas of their life. The child’s parent said ‘[Name of child] is blooming because of the care staff provide.’

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outstanding

The child has made strong progress with their learning. They secured the skills that subsequently supported them to access and enjoy college. Staff are proud of the child’s achievements and encourage the child to be proud too. Recently, the child experienced some changes with education. This means that staff are currently providing the child with daily educational activities. The registered manager is working with the local authority to advocate for the child and ensure that the child has access to suitable education options.

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outstanding

Staff work with the child to develop a highly personalised and creative ‘getting ready for adult life’ plan. This individual approach gives the child goals that offer innovative, varied day-to-day positive experiences to develop their independence skills. For example, the child has enjoyed producing a healthy recipe book, completing reflective journals, opening a bank account and ordering their medication.

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outstanding

The child has experienced a variety of new and exciting experiences, with support from staff. These include attending a Theatre club, experiencing their first concert and enjoying varied holidays. Such opportunities have provided the child with valuable life experiences which help build their confidence. Furthermore, the sensitive care offered by staff has assisted the child to feel proud to embrace their individual identity.

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outstanding

The staff and registered manager are committed to the child having individual family time arrangements. This has involved staff supporting the child’s travel and offering the opportunity for a family member to have overnight stays at the home. The child treasured this opportunity and the chances to maintain important family connections. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 4

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outstanding

Staff are highly invested in supporting the child to keep safe. This has helped the child build trusting relationships with staff. The child feels safe to seek out staff at difficult times. This allows staff to respond sensitively, and the support offered helps prevent some incidents from escalating. The child is also supported to have an advocate.

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outstanding

Consequences are rarely used. On the one occasion the child did receive a consequence, this was natural and proportionate in nature. The registered manager embraces the opportunity to work with the child’s therapist and reflective discussions focus on encouraging staff to further adopt a relationships-based approach. The child’s social worker noted that staff are always ‘several steps ahead’ in relation to considering how they can best meet the child’s needs. This immensely committed approach from the registered manager and staff, provides the child with a sense of safety and security during difficult times.

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outstanding

Risk assessments are highly detailed, and plans are thorough. They provide staff with clear guidance, which they follow to reduce any risks to the child. On occasions significant incidents occur which have resulted in the child requiring medical support. Staff implement actions which help to keep the child safe, provide nurturing care and assist the child to access suitable treatment.

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outstanding

On occasions staff restrain the child to keep them safe. These physical interventions are proportionate and used as a last resort when all other de-escalation techniques have been unsuccessful. Following any significant incidents, staff talk to the child about what happened. This helps the child to understand why staff physically intervened and think about ways that could prevent this action being needed in the future. The child and staff appreciate the chance to reflect and learn.

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outstanding

Staff understand the procedures for escalating concerns appropriately. Leaders and managers have taken additional actions to ensure that staff have access to safeguarding leads, who they can approach if they have any concerns regarding staff practice. The registered manager has positive working relations with the local authority designated officer and attends all partnership meetings and training.

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outstanding

The home has an updated fire risk assessment, and the registered manager has progressed recommended actions in a timely manner. However, the child does not have a plan that provides staff with clear steps to take if they are required to evacuate the child from the home in an emergency. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is extremely committed to ensuring that the child receives the highest quality of care. She is a strong role model and leader and is aspirational for the child. The registered manager ensures that the child is actively and meaningfully involved in recruiting new staff. Furthermore, in line with the child’s wishes, new staff are encouraged to provide an introduction message and photo for the child prior to starting work in the home. This excellent practice is highly child centred and contributed to the child feeling valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External professionals consistently say that staff effectively communicate and work collaboratively to ensure the child is at the centre of practice and decisions. The registered manager advocates well on behalf of the child. Strong partnership working supports the child’s development and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a positive relationship with staff and values the staff team. Staff consistently report feeling well supported. The registered manager ensures staff’s wellbeing within regular reflective supervision sessions and in day-to- day practice. Leaders and managers understand the benefits of the registered manager accessing effective supervision. As a result, arrangements are in place for the registered manager to have monthly independent supervision from an experienced practitioner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Highly effective monitoring systems used by the registered manager support ongoing improvement. The registered manager uses learning from practice, research and feedback from others, to support staff development and drive the quality of care for the child. The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the home’s model of care. She uses team meetings and support from the therapist to ensure that the child experiences highly attuned support from staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in undertaking their roles. They receive high-quality training and development. New staff have detailed inductions to assist their understanding of the child’s individual needs and their role in meeting these. One staff member said, ‘The registered manager is a capable, supportive leader and has played a huge part in my professional development.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Notifications have been sent to Ofsted, but the registered manager has not ensured that all have been sent in a timely manner. This has not directly impacted on the child’s wellbeing but has delayed independent oversight. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have access to a plan that provides them with clear steps to take if they are required to assist the child to be evacuated from the home in an emergency. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted of safeguarding or welfare incidents relating to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: 2792831 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Begin to Blossom Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/O Hilton Jones Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL

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Inspector

Gina Lightfoot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2792831 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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