Children's Home run by Blak Diamond Social Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 1 Registered provider: Blak Diamond Social Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This multi-build home is managed by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children with social and emotional difficulties, in 3 separate homes.

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Information about this children's home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection and contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 2

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Summary of findings

Each child benefits from a caring and supportive environment where they make good progress. Helping children with complex needs to progress is a strength of the workforce. The manager has effective oversight of the homes but has not always informed Ofsted of serious incidents promptly. Safeguarding practice is effective, and risks posed to children are managed well and have reduced. However, for one child, there are excessive restrictions. The manager has recognised this and is taking appropriate action.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection since registration. This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children were living at the home prior to being registered by Ofsted. One child has moved in after registration, and no children have moved out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff speak warmly about children. Staff are proud to work with children. One staff member said, 'I have so much passion to make a difference to children's lives.' Staff are motivated to deliver good-quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children have education places. One child attends a mainstream school, while 2 children attend alternative education provisions that meet their individual needs. Staff work closely with schools. Staff support children in the school to help allay children's anxieties. One child proudly showed the inspector photo frames and boxes that they had hand crafted at school. Children enjoy school, take pride in their work and are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children are comfortable and relaxed with staff and enjoy being in their company. One child said, 'I always have somebody that I can talk to, and staff really trust me.' Another child wrote a powerful rap to staff to emphasise how loved, safe and valued they are made to feel by staff at their home. One child who has lived at the home for a shorter period is starting to develop relationships with staff. Staff work hard to develop meaningful relationships with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members spoke highly of care given to their child. One family member said, 'I only have positive things to say about the staff. The care they provide is phenomenal and they are like family to the child’. Families are happy with the progress children have made and feel reassured that staff genuinely care about the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have enjoyed a range of activities, such as young drivers’ courses, parks with inflatables, fairgrounds and day trips. One child is part of a skating club. Children are Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 3 encouraged to spend time with friends. Children benefit from fun and enriching experiences.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand and implement safeguarding procedures. Children feel safe. Social workers and children's families feel assured children are kept safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have important discussions with children. Topics include healthy relationships, online safety and managing behaviours safely. One child spoke to the inspector about how they recognise and manage potential risks online. Because of staff's approach, children talk openly with staff and are helped to understand important safety information.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been one allegation. The manager liaised with the local authority designated officer and social worker. The manager has dealt with the allegation promptly, and action has been taken to safeguard the child.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour support plans are individualised and give staff good guidance. Staff implement the plans and use their positive relationships to support children. There has been a notable decrease in unwanted behaviours.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Self-injurious incidents are managed appropriately. Staff seek medical attention when required and work closely with mental health professionals. Staff explore behavioural triggers thoughtfully and support children to develop self-soothing strategies. There has been a notable decrease in incidents in both frequency and severity.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been some missing-from-home episodes. The staff manage these well and work closely with the police and railway staff to disrupt children from going missing. One staff member said that they travelled miles to find a child and walked with them for hours to make sure they were safe, before bringing them home. Children feel reassured that staff care and are responsive.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Generally, staff do not use excessive restrictive practices. The manager regularly reviews risks for children. One child is subject to a court directed order, with the least restrictive measures in place and a clear step-down plan.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

However, one child moved into the home several months ago and initially required safeguarding measures due to presenting risks. Some restrictions are no longer proportionate to the child's current level of need. For example, the child continues to use plastic cutlery and is unable to leave the home without permission as the front and back doors remain locked. The registered manager recognises that some restrictions no longer align with the child's needs but has not yet been able to review these with the child's social worker. Consequently, the child feels that they have little freedom and finds the restrictions excessive. Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is knowledgeable and is working towards a relevant level 5 diploma. She has support from a competent manager and responsible individual . The children benefit from a dedicated staff team. No staff members have moved on from their employment. Children have good, consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers spend regular quality time with children, know the children well and have meaningful relationships with them. Children have regular opportunities to talk about how they feel and are listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high, staff feel valued, respected and listened to by managers. Staff said that managers are 'hands on' and support whenever it is needed. Staff have good-quality and regular supervision. This support helps to create a resilient staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff team. Three social workers praised the quality of care provided. One social worker reported that, prior to moving to the home, the child had experienced several placement breakdowns. This is the first home that the child has seen as their home. They are happy, and staff have not given up on them. Communication between staff and professionals is excellent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good-quality face-to-face training and attend regular team meetings. Staff have benefited from a behaviour specialist's expertise to give them guidance. The staff hold either a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards it within agreed timescales. Staff have a good knowledge of how to meet the child's needs

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Ofsted were not notified of 2 serious incidents promptly. This prevents the regulator evaluating the safety of children effectively in a timely manner. Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children's home's premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child's privacy or access to any area of the home's premises–

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that any unnecessary restrictions on children's liberty and privacy are removed. 21 June 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (c)(e)) 21 June 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 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: 2851324 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Blak Diamond Social Care Limited

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2851324 8 regulates 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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