Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Derbyshire

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key shortfall identified at this inspection is that there has not been a registered manager in charge of the home since April 2015. While an interim manager has worked enthusiastically to drive forward service improvements since the last inspection, the temporary arrangement does not provide sufficient stability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No further requirements have been made during this inspection. However, Ofsted will continue to monitor the progress made with previously set requirements. The interim manager and registered provider responded promptly to address areas of weakness identified during the full inspection in August 2016. The six requirements set at that time are found to have been met. A permanent manager has now been recruited and will commence work in the home shortly. Additional training for staff, team building time, team meetings and regular one-to-one supervision have also been facilitated. As a result, staff have an improved understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are now working more effectively as a team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement plans have been reviewed and the format for these has been enhanced. This supports staff to understand the needs of young people and to meet those needs. Although the work undertaken has generally improved care planning, one care plan has not been updated to reflect an area of changing need. This demonstrates that improvements are at an early stage and are yet to embed into practice fully.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions or discharges from the home since the last inspection. The provider has opted to wait until the permanent manager and two newly appointed members of staff start work before seeking to admit more young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents requiring the use of physical intervention and few sanctions are used in the management of behaviour. Detailed behaviour plans are produced but these have not always led to improved behaviours. Staff became concerned about this and have explored new ways of working with the young person. As a result of the approach taken by staff, the young person now responds better to behaviour expectations. Since the last inspection, staff have developed their knowledge about national and local procedures for managing missing and absence incidents. They are now more confident in their response to dealing with such events. It is clear that when a young person is away from the home, with or without consent, staff endeavour to maintain contact with them, encourage their return when necessary and even go out to check their well-being. There have been no missing from care incidents and fewer incidents of young people leaving the home without consent. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

demonstrates that young people become safer over time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are knowledgeable about the needs and risks for the specific young person currently in placement. The young person declined the opportunity to engage in this inspection. However, she presents as very relaxed and comfortable when engaging with staff. Despite resistance from the young person, staff continue to offer and promote engagement in a range of stimulating activities. The young person is supported to develop the skills she will need to live independently in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff say that the lack of clarity from the placing authority about the permanency of this placement has had an impact on the effectiveness of planning, including the arrangements for education. However, they have endeavoured to support the young person to engage in virtual school education sessions and informal learning opportunities. The young person has for the most part been resistant to engaging with such plans. The interim manager has raised her concerns about the impact of slow decision-making with the placing team. This demonstrates that the team will advocate for young people when necessary.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 14/01/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Requires improvement 08/06/2015 Full Inadequate

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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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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