Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Blackpool

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager in charge of the home. He has managed the home for almost two years, working in the home as the deputy manager prior to this. A deputy manager, who is new to post, is in place to support him. Together they set clear expectations about the ethos of the home. This ensures that the high standards set are maintained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living in the home continue to make very good progress. They attend school or college and some are thinking about their future career options. One young person has recently returned to mainstream school. The re-integration followed careful planning and the young person is proud that he has achieved this. Staff are good advocates for young people and encourage them to reach their full potential. One social worker commented, in feedback taken by the home, ‘My young person is fully supported by staff, all aspects of his education have improved significantly whilst in placement.’ Young people are also preparing to move on from the home to live independently. They feel prepared for this transition due to the help and support that staff have given them while living here. One parent commented, ‘My son has learnt how to cook, clean and use the washing machine while living in the home. I really respect

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the staff for helping to support my son. They are brilliant role models.’ Staff continue to promote positive behaviour in the home. Young people are clear about acceptable behaviour and staff respond to inappropriate comments or responses. They successfully diffuse young people’s escalating behaviours and positive and respectful relationships are evident between staff and young people. As a result, staff rarely need to physically intervene and young people feel safe. There has been an increase in incidents of young people going missing from the home since the last inspection. These mainly relate to recent admissions and young people wanting to see members of their family. When this occurs, staff follow clear reporting procedures and have a good relationship with other safeguarding bodies, such as the police. They escalate their concerns with professionals, requesting strategy meetings when they need to and work with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people to help them appreciate the risks that they place themselves in on these occasions. One recommendation was made at the last full inspection of the home. This related to the need for impact risk assessments to clearly take into account the needs of the current residents. The Registered Manager has taken action to address this; following wider consultation with senior managers the organisations assessment format has been amended to make this explicit. The planned update to the young people’s bathroom has also been successfully completed and no longer detracts from the homely environment. There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection, but where possible posts have been filled by the promotion of individuals who are already working in the home. This has ensured the least disruption to young people and maintained continuity in the home. Young people continue to say that the best

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

thing about the home is ‘the staff,’ and the support they receive. One young person said, ‘I have really made good progress since I moved in here. The staff are great and I am very happy here.’ Managers continue to use both their internal monitoring and the external monitoring of the home to good effect. Reports are comprehensive, allowing them to reflect on practice in the home and consider areas for future development. Development plans are dynamic and managers are responsive to new initiatives. They demonstrate a strong commitment to the home and in meeting the needs of those that reside here.

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Information about this children's home

The home is one of a number owned and managed by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six male young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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