Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has not addressed all requirements made at the last inspection. This leaves ongoing weaknesses in maintaining records, including ensuring each young person files have reports from placing authorities. The registered manager has not reviewed physical interventions to reflect on their effectiveness or to discuss them with staff. This prevents evaluation of staff practice. More positively, the registered manager has made progress with meeting other requirements which ensures young people have access to a telephone and that staff are aware of how to respond when young people are missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager’s monitoring of the quality of care fails to identify areas that require immediate action to promote young people’s welfare and safety. The registered manager has not ensured that Ofsted is informed when allegations are made by young people. This prevents the regulator having oversight of developing patterns and trends. The registered manager has however, developed her relationship with the local authority designated officer (LADO) and now maintains regular communication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has not ensured staff continuity from the young person’s perspective. For example, eight additional staff, who do not form part of the core staff team, worked in the home during December. This does not give young people consistent care from staff they grown trust.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has improved practice, by securing feedback from professional partners. She has worked effectively with professional stakeholders who value her persistence and detailed knowledge of individual young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people continue to make good progress in their education, with good attendance. For some young people this represents exceptional progress when they no longer need any additional support in the classroom. The registered manager is proactive in addressing young people’s dis-engagement from school with the virtual head. A teacher commented:’ The manager has worked closely with school and the virtual head in trying to progress the young person’s education.’ Staff support those young people who are not attending school with educational activities, but this is limited without access to a specific computer for them to use for their learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are being helped to improve their overall well-being. For example, staff ensure they attend appointments which promote their physical and mental health. Staff encourage young people to eat healthily and to engage in opportunities to have active lives within the local community. For example, some young people enjoy ice-skating, dancing and going to the park.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel safe and understand how to complain. The registered manager takes their complaints seriously and responds appropriately. Young people develop positive relationships with the core staff team and are able to achieve stability. For some young people this is remarkable when they have experienced many placement changes. A social worker said:’ My child has achieved more security than had previously been possible and their behaviours have drastically reduced.’ Another said: ’Brilliant. I am really pleased.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that the home remains a welcoming and homely environment. Young people are encouraged to personalise their own rooms and photographs of them are on display. Staff continue to promote equality and diversity within the home so that young people develop socially aware behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to have contact with their family and friends where this is safe and in their best interest. They welcome friends into the home and allow young people to take age appropriate risks safely as they become more independent. This promotes their sense of identity and emotional resilience.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home prepares young people for placement in foster homes. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/09/2014 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered provider must ensure the: -

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Requirement Due date

2. (e) home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child. 04/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35(3)(b) 04/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to a child. The registered person must ensure that these records are kept up to date. (Regulation 36(1)) 04/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4 and ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (2)(a)-(b)) 04/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must notify HMCI without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 04/03/2016

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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

 The home must make available suitable facilities, equipment and resources for learning and ensure the home's routines do not form barriers to children wishing to use the home resources to study. Children should have access to a computer and the internet to support their education and learning. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations. April 2015. Page 29, paragraphs 5.18-9)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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