Children's Home run by Park Blue Homes Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 1 SC453372 Park Blue Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately operated. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home currently has no registered manager. An acting manager is in charge. They have not applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children's home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the visit, and the child was spoke with during the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 21 April 2026, the inspector found the home to be inadequate. Failures in safeguarding, leadership and the management of the home affected the safety and wellbeing of children. In response, Ofsted issued compliance notices under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was carried out on 2 June 2026 due to concerns being raised to Ofsted about the safety and wellbeing of children. The compliance notices were not reviewed during the visit and were restated.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to review the actions taken by the provider to meet the steps in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Three children have left since the full inspection. One child remains living in the home and is due to leave to move into semi-independent accommodation. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 2 The provider has improved the leadership and management arrangements. A new manager and 2 deputies have started in post. There are improved monitoring systems that are helping to identify shortfalls and address concerns in regard to keeping children safe. The new management team is settling in, and they have begun the process of embedding improved practices.

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This monitoring visit

Risk management plans identify known and emerging risks. These plans ensure that staff have the necessary strategies to support the child when they are upset or angry. Plans are individualised and highlight the preferred ways that children like to be spoken with and supported. This means that staff have clearer direction in how to support children. For the child living in the home, relationships have improved as a result.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive regular and effective practice-related supervision sessions. Staff have reflected on incidents that have occurred and have discussed ways of improving practice. These discussions highlight the new safeguarding arrangements in the home and that staff feel confident to follow the processes in place. Staff say that they feel supported and are aware of how to escalate concerns if they need to.

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This monitoring visit

The manager communicates with professionals effectively. Where concerns around a child's behaviour arose, the manager ensured that meetings took place to reflect on these concerns with professionals. Team meetings are regular and well attended. Relevant information is given to staff to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information on how to care for children. The meetings reflect a joint approach to care planning and decision-making for children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have focused on developing staff's understanding of children's needs. Staff attend workshop sessions around using risk assessments and therapeutic parenting. Sessions cover general practice as well as specific information relating to children and behaviour that may be presented to staff. This has given staff the knowledge they need to help the current child as well as future children.

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This monitoring visit

The recruitment of new staff has contributed improving team morale. Staff wellbeing has improved due to better working patterns, and this has had a knock-on effect in improving practice. The recruitment of new staff has improved consistency of care for the child, encouraging the child to engage in activities and trips out with staff.

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This monitoring visit

Allegations management has improved. When a child raised concerns about staff practice, managers responded effectively and followed procedures. The response showed the child that their concerns are listened to and they are safe to raise these when needed.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have identified areas of the home in need of improvement. Windows in the home are being refurbished, as well as significant changes to improve the furniture in various rooms in the home. However, there are still areas of the home that need attention. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 3 Following a case review on 3 July 2026, it was agreed that the steps in the compliance notices have been met. The requirements previously issued under regulations 6, 14 and 21 could not be evidenced during this visit and they have been restated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/04/2026 Full Inadequate 15/07/2025 Full Good 03/06/2024 Full Good 22/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child's relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv)(v)(vi)(ix)(c)(i)(ii)) 12 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— 12 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 6 receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(i))

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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. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(ii)(iii)) 12 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 7

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Park Blue Homes Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 38 Freemans Way, Harrogate HG3 1DH

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Inspector

Gary Smithson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 9 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC453372 10

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