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

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 improved 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 a number of years. An experienced deputy manager also works in the home to support him. Together they demonstrate a desire for improvement and have the respect of staff and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last full inspection of the home was less than three months ago. There have been no changes to the group of young people living in the home since this time and minimal changes to the staff team. The home is settled and young people continue to make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, despite the short period of time since the last inspection, significant improvements are evident in relation to the management oversight of the home. Managers have taken action to ensure the satisfactory completion of the two requirements made at the last inspection. Clear ownership by young people’s keyworkers now ensures that issues receive follow up in a timely manner. For example, staff have accessed specialist support for one young person, who had been refusing to attend for essential medical treatment. His keyworker developed a strategy to address the problem and made a commitment to see this through. This entailed him providing support to the young person outside of his scheduled working hours. The young person is responding well with this support and is now making progress towards addressing his health needs. Similarly, casual staff are now receiving supervision at the same frequency as permanent staff employed in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home. Hence, allowing them the same opportunity for reflection and learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Similarly, managers have taken action to address the four recommendations made at the last inspection. The staff team have recently attended training on managing sexually harmful behaviour. Staff confirm that this was helpful and as a result, they have improved their recording and monitoring of behaviours. Managers have designed and implemented a new staff handover record; this contains additional detail and includes a sign off procedure for senior staff. This helps to ensure that all routine tasks are completed and staff coming on duty are aware of what they need to do. Improvements are also evident in staff recording of contacts with social workers, in order to chase missing documentation. Furthermore, following consultation in the wider organisation, amendments have been made to the format of the impact risk assessment. This now requires an analysis of the impact on the current group of residents, as well as consideration to strategies that staff can

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition to the above, managers’ have also developed a new audit tool to help them monitor young people’s records and progress. Managers’ use these as part of staff supervision, with key working staff. This helps to ensure that young people are making progress in line with their care plan and that necessary actions have been completed. Although in the early days of implementation, initial indicators are positive about them highlighting what staff have yet to do.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been few serious incidents since the last inspection. Only one physical intervention has been required and there have been a small number of incidents of young people going missing from the home, sometimes with each other. Records of such incidents are of good quality and the actions taken by staff are clear. However, Ofsted did not receive notification about a complaint, made by a young person, concerning the actions of a member of staff. The Registered Manager acted on the complaint immediately and worked alongside other safeguarding bodies to explore this, but omitted to inform Ofsted about the allegation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been little time for the Registered Manager to seek significant feedback from stakeholders on the operation of the home. However, some positive comments have been received from social workers. These include, ‘Staff are approachable and have a positive impact on the young person. He has formed bonds with staff and managers and there is mutual respect;’ and ‘I am very happy with this placement. Staff have a great knowledge of the young person; this is really helpful in decision making and future planning.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of a number owned and managed by a private organisation. This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six male young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There is also a registered school on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday; this specifically relates to timely notification to the HMCI. (The Guide paragraph 14.13)

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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

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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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