Children's Home run by Horizon Care Limited in Staffordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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

At the last inspection eight requirements were made. The registered manager and his team have worked hard to address the requirements which have resulted in improved care and outcomes for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

After the last inspection the registered manager contacted another manager from one of the organisation’s children’s home which Ofsted had judged outstanding. He has worked closely, meeting with this manager regularly. The registered manager told the inspector he has gained valuable experience from having an informal ‘mentor’. This was evident during this inspection as all the requirements have been addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are happy and settled in the home. Both individuals said they like the home, get on well with staff and that they are given choices. They are making good progress given their starting points and their safety has improved. A social worker told the inspector that he was happy with the care provided for the young person and that their behaviour has improved which in turn has made him safer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reviewed the admission and discharge procedures and the assessment of new referrals is much more robust. He now ensures he has sufficient and relevant information to make an appropriate assessment to ascertain if staff can meet individuals’ needs. This also informs compatibility risk assessments to ensure that the admission of a new child or young person does not negatively impact on the existing group. The registered manager also clarifies education arrangements prior to them moving in. He now keeps a file with information about referrals he has refused and reasons why. This improved practice has ensured that recent admissions have been appropriate and that children and young people are compatible. The actions taken have resulted in improved individualised care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has ensured education placements are agreed prior to admission wherever possible. One child has continued to attend their previous school which is positive as he works with teachers he knows and he can be with his friends. For those young people who did not have an education placement, the registered manager has been proactive in identifying and securing an educational placement. Both individuals are in full-time education and their attendance is good. This is significant progress for one young person who told the inspector he likes his new school and gets on well with the teachers; his social worker also confirmed this. Staff communicate regularly with their schools. Actions taken by the registered manager has meant children and young people have better chances to achieve their academic potential.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been less reliance on agency and bank staff since the last inspection which helps to provide continuity of care. Additional staff have also been provided when a new young person has been admitted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reorganised the filing system and introduced new recording systems. The new systems have been discussed at length with staff and improved management monitoring ensures records are kept up to date. Records are easier to access and provide a clear audit trail to ensure individual’s needs are being met and that staff are implementing the home’s procedures. This has resulted in improved safeguards for children and young people. For example, each individual now has their own file for records relating to incidents of them going missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has set up a new file for notifications sent to Ofsted. This has been discussed with staff who are now aware of procedures relating to notifications.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection a reward system has been introduced to encourage positive behaviours. Children and young people are given a choice of rewards; this is working well and records are routinely read and signed by the registered manager. Sanctions are also imposed for inappropriate behaviour. As a result, incidents of poor behaviour have reduced. This has addressed the requirement from the previous inspection. However, sanctions imposed tend to be punitive rather than restorative, with the majority of them being financial reparation penalties.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people now have access to a phone provided by the home which is in the ‘chill’ room. This means they can take and make phone calls in private.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been significant improvement in management monitoring of practices and records with improved outcomes for children and young people. The registered manager has worked hard to improve his managerial skills. The reorganisation of records and files makes it easier to monitor that children’s and young people’s needs are met. The registered manager carries out monthly audits and sends a memo to staff identifying shortfalls and these are also discussed in staff meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has also introduced an anti-bullying care and intervention pack which has improved children’s and young people’s safety. Staff use this to educate children and young people about bullying and records of incidents of bullying are kept. Key work sessions and house meetings are used to discuss bullying. The registered manager monitors all incidents of bullying. A child told the inspector that they were bullied when they first moved into the home but staff have dealt with this and he now gets on better with the other young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. 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

30/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour, on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46, paragraph 9.38.)

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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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