Children's Home run by Horizon Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC062406 Inspector Elaine Allison Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Horizon Care Limited Registered person address Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park Longford Road CANNOCK Staffordshire WS11 0LG Responsible individual Paul Anthony Callander Registered manager Creaton Dalfas Allen Date of last inspection 05/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 01/12/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

The home is structured with clear and consistent boundaries in place. Young people are at the centre of the home’s daily routines. The home is organised to ensure young people enjoy access to a full range of social opportunities and experiences. The home provides highly personalised care that takes account of individually assessed needs. Young people develop confidence and their individual personalities flourish.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are safe and feel protected from significant harm. They have formed good relationships with staff and are extremely positive about their placements and the care they receive in the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people’s care is well planned. Placement plans clearly outline young people’s needs and the services required to meet these. Young people are supported by a highly committed and stable staff team who offer an excellent level of guidance, which supports young people to make positive and productive changes in their lives.

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Overall effectiveness

The home has developed strong, effective relationships with partner agencies. This collaboration ensures that professionals are working together to safeguard young people living at the home. Communication is excellent and social workers and families are regularly kept up to date with young people’s progress and 3 of 11 achievements.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed and the staff team is fully committed to the ethos and working practices in the home. The strengths and weaknesses of the home are recognised and suitable plans are put in place to ensure continued development and sustained improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection has not raised any major concerns, although four areas for future development have been identified. These link to staff training and ensuring staff have the knowledge to meet the individual needs of the young people; ensuring risk assessments are in place for staffing ratios, and refurbishment of the bathroom area. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is operated by a private company. It accommodates up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2014 Interim good progress 26/09/2013 Full good 04/02/2013 Interim good progress 28/06/2012 Full good

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. This relates to the bath and shower used by children not being maintain to a good order (Regulation 31 (2)(e)). 26/01/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that when only one member of staff is on duty at any time, a risk 5 of 11 assessment has been carried out and recorded in writing, identifying any likely risks to children, staff and members of the public. (NMS 17.9)  ensure that children are looked after by staff who are trained and competent to meet their needs. (NMS18.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All of the young people are engaged in education and are making good progress. Young people are fully involved in their education choices. They maintain good attendance at school and other educational settings and as a result their future life opportunities for continuing their education or securing employment are enhanced. A parent commented ‘(young person) has been out of education for a really long time and the staff have managed to get (young person) into school. It’s early days and it may seem like really small steps but it is a huge achievement’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people form trusting relationships with staff and this enables young people to discuss any worries or concerns. A parent commented ‘the staff have put boundaries into (young person’s) life and I know that (young person) feels safe because of this’. A young person said ‘I can talk to staff here; I definitely feel safe here’. As a result, young people feel safe and emotionally secure in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people understand the importance of healthy lifestyles, and according to their age and ability take responsibility for their own health. Some young people engage in sports activities such as fishing, rugby, boxing and ice skating to help them stay fit. Participation in community activities is a strength of this home. Young people are active members of local sports teams. The sports clubs provide opportunities for socialising outside of the residential group. Young people have a sense of pride in their belonging to these sports teams.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people are offered prompt access to professional consultation and guidance on a range of health and social issues including self-harm and promoting their emotional well-being. Young people attend routine health appointments and, with staff encouragement, reduce their involvement in behaviour that damages their health, such as self-harm. All young people are offered appointments with mental health workers from CAMHS to help them come to terms with ongoing issues, past difficulties or trauma. Young people have declined these services.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s views and opinions are encouraged and respected in the home. There are regular young people’s meetings and one to one sessions between the young people and their key workers. This encourages young people’s involvement in the home and also helps them to develop a sense of ownership and pride in it.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop independence skills in accordance with their age and ability. Consequently, they develop skills in cooking, menu planning, shopping and in general household tasks, such as washing their clothes, and cleaning their rooms. A young person commented ‘I help around the house and I clean my bedroom every week’. Developing these life skills and experiences not only prepares young people for independence, but also helps them to develop confidence and self-esteem. 7 of 11 Where appropriate to do so, young people maintain close contact with their families. This further ensures that young people develop emotional resilience and knowledge and understanding of their backgrounds. A parent commented, ‘I have regular contact with (young person) and staff are very good at doing all the transportation for the visits’.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from qualified, committed and enthusiastic staff, dedicated to understanding their individual needs and wishes. Staff use informal meetings and activities with young people that encourages them to reflect on their feelings and behaviour. Staff ensure the voice of the child is accurately and clearly presented in regularly reviewed plans of care developed by the home. A parent said ‘Staff are very good, they are very committed to keeping the young people safe’. A social worker commented 'staff are very professional and keep me updated on the young person'.

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Quality of care good

There are regular staff meetings. Staff consider these as important both in terms of allowing for better communication and for information sharing, ensuring continuity of care for the young people. Staff say there is a supportive culture which results in a high level of consistency in their delivery of care for young people.

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Quality of care good

The home’s placement plans and care planning practices are detailed and are consistently followed in practice. This means that young people are receiving consistent care and support to promote their personal growth and their abilities, to fulfil their potential. Plans are well written and clearly outline the individual needs of young people. They incorporate strategies on how to meet these needs. As a result, staff adopt a consistent approach with young people, and this impacts positively on their welfare.

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Quality of care good

Some young people have gone missing from the home for quite long periods of time. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow and make frequent and consistent efforts to find young people and are welcoming when they do return. The staff liaise appropriately with the police, social workers and parents when a young person is missing. Consequently professionals are able to work together to safeguard children and young people.

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Quality of care good

Medication, where used, is safely stored and carefully administered. Detailed records of medication are routinely checked for accuracy. This ensures that any errors are quickly identified and promptly resolved. Written records show health needs are being promoted and protected through access to the necessary medical and psychological advice, support and treatment they require. Staff respond appropriately to health issues or concerns and work cohesively with external agencies to ensure that support is tailored to assessed needs. This combined approach helps young 8 of 11 people progress. Detailed records of key working discussions are held securely in the home. This ensures that staff are able to work consistently and know of any matters affecting the progress that young people make.

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Quality of care good

Young people know how to complain and are confident that should they wish to complain this would be appropriately managed. Information is provided in the young people’s guide and organisational complaints documents. Procedures for managing complaints are clear that they should be handled fairly and investigated thoroughly by the manager or external nominated person.

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Quality of care good

The home provides a safe and comfortable environment which is domestic in scale and appearance. The atmosphere is relaxed and calm and young people certainly feel at home. Young people have their own rooms that are personalised. The bathroom used by the young people is dated and shows signs of wear. A young person commented ‘I don’t use the bath because it’s horrible and sometimes the shower doesn’t work properly’.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are well protected by clear safeguarding procedures and care practice that gives their safety and well-being a high priority. Young people feel safe living at this home. All staff are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff manage the balance between protection and enabling young people to take age appropriate risks very well. This approach allows them to enjoy the same social experiences as their peers in the wider community.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are very proactive in promoting positive behaviour and relationships. As a result, young people predominantly behave appropriately and interact positively with each other and staff. Permissible forms of control, de-escalation techniques and discipline are clearly set out in organisational policies. Staff are clear that physical intervention is used only as a last resort. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Records show young people reflect on significant incidents with staff and this allows them to consider what other options and strategies they may use to manage their emotions and to avoid future incidents.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are aware of their own behaviour management plans and learn to take responsibility for their behaviour. This is highly effective in enabling young people to identify their own triggers and work out strategies to help them when they experience difficulties.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

When serious incidents occur, the staff team ensure that prompt and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of young people. All required serious incident notifications are made to the appropriate services. As a result, young people’s safety is promoted at all times. 9 of 11 Where sanctions are used they are fair and proportionate. This ensures that young people are encouraged to display and maintain socially acceptable behaviour. A young person said ‘it’s fair when we do things wrong that we get a sanction’.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Risk assessments outline what measures need to be in place to support the young people in their environment, in the community and in various activities. These ensure that their welfare and safety is not compromised and is maintained to a good standard. Regular fire drills take place during the day and evenings. This ensures that young people and staff are practised in safe evacuation. All areas of the home are safely maintained and appropriate checks ensure any defects are identified and resolved. This ensures that young people’s health and safety is appropriately promoted in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Managers maintain recruitment and selection procedures that help prevent unsuitable people from having access to young people. Young people are fully involved in the selection process and interview prospective workers. Managers carefully induct and support new staff into their role to ensure they acquire the skills necessary to care safely for young people.

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Leadership and management good

The home is operated in accordance with the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose and children’s guide. The Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect staff changes. It provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of the home and of the services it provides.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has been in post since 2012, is suitably experienced and has obtained the Level 5 diploma in leadership and management in children’s services. An experienced and effective management team ensures staff are well motivated and maintain their enthusiasm. Staff supervision and appraisal takes place regularly and staff say they feel well supported. A staff member commented ‘supervision is a good place to make sure that I am doing the best I can for the young people, I feel very supported’.

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Leadership and management good

Staff practice is supported by comprehensive guidance, policies and procedures. The home’s written records are completed and audited to a good standard, being stored with due regard for confidentiality. The well structured files and placement plans give a very good oversight of each young person's progress and history of their time at the home.

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Leadership and management good

Staff training lacks sufficient emphasis on the potential risks of self-harm, drug misuse and child sexual exploitation (CSE). Some staff were able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of these subjects. A staff member however commented ‘I think we need a more in-depth knowledge of self-harm, drug use and CSE’. This lack of comprehensive knowledge throughout the staff team may have an impact on the 10 of 11 consistent care of the young people.

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Leadership and management good

The manager had not ensured that when only one member of staff is on duty at any time, a risk assessment has been carried out and recorded in writing, identifying any likely risks to children, staff and members of the public.

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Leadership and management good

There are regular visits to monitor the conduct of the home under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations, and the Registered Manager undertakes quality assurance monitoring checks in line with Regulation 34 on a regular basis. These visits and checks include consultation with parents and children, and observation of young people. The manager examines trends and patterns during these processes and information is shared with the staff team.

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Leadership and management good

The home has appropriate systems in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant bodies of significant events that occur within the home or with young people. This ensures that those with an interest in young people’s welfare are kept appropriately informed. Records kept in the home are clear, accurate and up to date. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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