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

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . This well-managed service continues to provide a good quality of care that supports children and young people to make good progress. Children and young people are in settled placements, are happy and feel safe. Children and young people say that they feel able to raise a concern and enjoy spending time with staff. Comments from children reflect that they hold a positive view of the service:  ‘I like the staff, they are nice’  ‘I like being able to do things I haven’t done before, like going trampolining’  ‘Yes, I feel safe here’  ‘I like the food, particularly I like the mangos they buy for me’. A child admitted in an emergency confirms that he felt very welcome when he arrived. This has helped him to begin to take advantage of the services available to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

him and he has developed good relationships with staff. Since the last inspection, one resident has successfully moved into semi-independent accommodation. The work put in by staff before this transition resulted in the young person developing the skills and knowledge that they needed to succeed when living on their own. Behaviour is managed effectively. Staff understand how the complex history of each child impacts on their current behaviours. Staff work consistently to set boundaries within the home. As a result, there has been a reduction in the level of challenge from children and young people. Children and young people know that all staff will give the same nurturing response. A social worker spoke positively about how a child is now safer since moving to this home because he has not gone missing since being admitted. Levels of physical intervention have reduced in frequency. A child spoke confidently to say that physical holds are only used to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

keep children safe. Staff work with internal and external mental health professionals to reduce incidents of self-harm and to ensure that children and young people receive appropriate help and support to achieve this. Since the last inspection, there has been an incident of concern linked to the relationship between two young people. The circumstances were reported on swiftly and immediate action was taken to ensure that protection arrangements were strengthened. The stable and committed staff team is enthusiastic and provides very child-centred care. Staff hold the manager in high regard and are proud of the care provided to children and young people. Comments from staff include, ‘I think the staff team is brilliant. We support each other and we always work consistently.’ The manager and the staff team are reflective and take time to identify patterns and trends. For example, they recently identified a pattern of physical restraint

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

taking place in a particular area of the home. They have taken action to address this. The manager uses the monthly independent visitor report to develop practice, and has recently undertaken her own broad review of all areas of service. The manager effectively links with external agencies to ensure that individual needs are met. For example, she has been persistent when advocating for a child’s right to education through appropriate channels. The three recommendations set at the time of the previous inspection have been addressed. While no agency staff are currently used, the provider has liaised with preferred agencies to agree an understanding that staff provided in future will be appropriately qualified. The team has worked with technology professionals to broaden their knowledge of how children may access the internet by ‘tethering’ to a mobile phone. This has resulted in improvements to internet safety. When

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people do not have a school placement, the team now structures the day to include elements of formal learning, alongside development opportunities and activities such as swimming. No requirements against children’s home’s regulations or recommendations against statutory guidance are raised.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home 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 06/04/2016 Full Good

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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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