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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are settled and happy. The registered manager and staff team are knowledgeable and experienced in building strong, trusting relationships. This has allowed the group of children and young people, all new since the last inspection, to be able to live together and thrive. The atmosphere in the home is calm and there is a genuine sense of warmth and love between staff, children and young people. A young person said, ‘The staff are amazing, I love them.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions to and from the home are well managed. Young people who have moved on during this period are all settled either at home, in independence or at appropriate placements to meet their needs. Staff keep in touch with those young people who want contact and offer support where needed. This allows young people to develop resilience in times of change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Moves to independence are well planned and supported with a trainer flat attached to the home. This is well furnished and maintained and offers opportunities for learning in a safe environment. A young person said, ‘I am proud of my flat and am busy gathering bits for when I move into my own place’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is valued highly and the staff work hard to ensure children and young people are enabled to achieve. The home has good facilities to help with homework and private study. The result is high attendance, improved self-esteem and opportunities to develop further. A teacher said, ‘They are very good at communicating necessary information.’ Written feedback from a previous school of one young person said, ‘Staff strive hard to improve behaviour – they have a consistent and thorough approach.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have high but achievable expectations in relation to behaviour. Clear plans and risk assessments enable staff to have a consistent approach to behaviour management and support. Detailed work is undertaken with children and young people to help them understand and manage risk. Keyworker sessions give opportunities to discuss what has and has not gone well each week. In addition each session involves consultation about the home in general as well as their choices for activities. This along with the restorative approach now being adopted enables children and young people to feel safe, cared for and develop a sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Episodes of missing and physical inventions do occur but numbers are reducing. Children and young people show understanding of their behaviour and are offered opportunities for reflection after each incident. The result is that they are learning a measure of self-regulation and an understanding of consequences. This improves their ability to make lasting relationships with family and friends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well decorated and maintained throughout and has good facilities. A young person’s bedroom has sustained some damage which needs addressing. The outside space is large and currently undergoing work as a joint project with children, young people and staff. This promotes a sense of belonging and ownership in children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management is strong and effective. The registered manager has introduced an ethos of support and understanding for staff as well as children and young people. Methods for gathering the views of children and young people have improved and demonstrate that they feel able to express views freely in relation to staff and their life at the home. The manager uses this feedback regularly to improve staff knowledge and practice. Staff state they feel well supported and guided in their work. Responses to requirements and recommendations from the last inspection were swift and effective and monitoring by the registered manager continues to offer development opportunities in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints and compliments are well managed and recorded. The complaints system is clear but if a young person does not wish to approach staff with a complaint they must make it via telephone. Consideration needs to be given to providing additional methods such as putting complaints in writing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervision of staff is regular and offers reflective opportunities for staff to continue to develop and learn. Recruitment practices are clear and well recorded. New staff are supported in their induction to the work and appropriate training gives them a good understanding of the expectations of positive working practices. A member of staff said, ’I have learnt a lot…it’s a good home, I love my work here.’

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Information about this children's home

This privately run home is part of a large organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers medium to long-term care both within the main house and attached independence flat.

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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):  Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive and provides boundaries in relation to their behaviour. In particular items that may cause injury should be removed from bedrooms for example a broken mirror. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

 Staff should encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. In particular ensuring a variety of methods to raise concerns or seek advice are freely.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 22 paragraph 4.13)

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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

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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