Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

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

Since the last inspection, there has been a deterioration in the management of this home and in keeping young people safe. At the last inspection, four requirements and four recommendations were made. This inspection found that two of those requirements are not met and three of the recommendations had not been actioned. At the last inspection, a requirement was made to ensure that safeguarding procedures were followed following allegations made by young people at the home against staff. Despite the requirement made, staff at the home have failed to follow safeguarding procedures. In addition the manager has failed to investigate the matter at the request of the Designated Officer (DO) in a timely manner, the request remained outstanding at the time of this inspection. This does not adequately safeguard young people and leaves them vulnerable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager was asked at the last inspection to undertake better scrutiny of safeguarding events as many records including chronologies were not clearly evaluated. This inspection identified that the manager failed to highlight the shortfalls of staff in reporting and recording on a safeguarding allegation. This includes staff failing to make written notes of their concerns or subsequent actions taken. This fails to ensure that young people and staff are adequately safeguarded or that valuable lessons are learnt and mistakes not repeated, The homes Statement of Purpose says, ‘Young People at (home) may have exhibited a level of Sexualised Behaviour and may require subsequent psychological assessment and treatment. The work that is completed with the young people involves a holistic approach with residential staff regularly completing direct work sessions that supports the therapeutic input the young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person receives through Coastal Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Services (CCATS). At the last inspection, the manager was asked to address the shortfall in the number of staff that had knowledge in sexual harmful behaviours by providing additional training for residential staff. Two staff members did attend a local authority one-day workshop and the plan is, to use the information learnt in a power point presentation to the remainder of the staff team. This is not sufficient and the home continues to fail to ensure that staff have the necessary understanding and skills to meet young people’s needs or address potential safeguarding concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last inspection identified that staff did not receive regular supervision. During this visit, evidence was unable to confirm that the supervision of staff has improved. This fails to provide staff with an opportunity to be guided or challenged in order to improve practice. Ten staff have joined the team and another one since the last inspection. A significant proportion of those are new to child care. Therefore, it is essential that regular quality supervision be provided for all staff to enable them to effectively support the young people in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It was highlighted at the last inspection in November 2015 that some areas of the home were in need of repair, there was a leak in the conservatory and the dishwasher was broken. There were issues of cleanliness around the house and debris was across the garden making it look unsightly on approach. Carpets and walls were in need of repair or refreshing. The home was tired and unhomely. During this visit, little had improved; the conservatory and dishwasher remain broken, debris and litter still adorns the garden, along with broken concreate and broken fence panels. Interior walls are stained. Some papering has been done in the conservatory and the carpets are to be replaced later in the week. The manager explained that buying a new TV had been a priority and other works have had to be rescheduled due to a number of the maintenance team in the organisation resigning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risk taking behaviours have increased including an increase in missing episodes placing themselves at risk while missing. Young people do not receive independent return interviews after they have been missing. Aggressive outbursts have also occurred leading to damage within the home. Staff recognise that education is an important part of young people’s lives; they support and encourage young people to attend the in-house school provision daily. Staff are proud of what the young people have achieved. They understand that the transition into a routine of daily education can be difficult and are working with all the young people to achieve this.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care for up to six young males who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is part of a private company which has a number of children’s residential services throughout the UK. The home provides therapeutic input to the young people via an external contracted service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

ensure the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular provide for liaison and co- operation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home (Regulation 34(a)) 31/03/2016

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The leadership and management standard

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child (Regulation 13(1)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  a record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b) (Guide to the children's homes Regulations 13.5)  ensure young people live in an environment which meets their basic day to day needs. In particular ensure all areas of the home are well decorated and the garden area is accessible to young people's needs. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 15 paragraph 3.7)  - The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 45 and 46) to ensure continuous improvement. They need to be skilled in anticipating difficulties, learning from disruptions and placement

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Recommendations

breakdowns. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 46 paragraph 10.18).

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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

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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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