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

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A lack of evidence of broad and consistent improvements shows that the home has sustained the previous level of effectiveness, rather than improving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no change in residents since the last inspection in May 2016 and young people are settled in long-term placements. The progress made by young people and their experiences of this home are mixed. An incident of concern occurred during the summer, due to the poor management of the security of the office. While there were no direct negative outcomes for young people, the potential for harm increased because young people accessed car keys and money from the office. The manager has since taken action to strengthen arrangements. This type of issue is not a common occurrence and is balanced against a young person receiving an award from his placing authority for achieving beyond expectations in education. The young person has for the most part attended a full time education programme, which compared to his starting point, is a notable improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Comments made by young people include confirmation that they feel safe and are comfortable talking to staff if they are worried about something. A parent says that her son has become more independent since moving to this home and that his behaviours are ‘much better’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents of young people going missing. Young people say that there is no bullying in the home. Staff are mindful of the potential for bullying and monitor interactions closely. They are also endeavouring to stop a recent pattern of play fighting, which staff understand is not acceptable and may disguise bullying. Three behavioural incidents have led to the use of physical intervention, one incident only lasting 4 seconds to re-direct a young person. Records kept on the use of restraint confirm as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ that the young people have been spoken to about the incident, however there is no detailed record of young people’s comments. This restricts the ability of managers and external agencies to evaluate restraint practice and means that valuable feedback is not collated to inform service development. The registered manager does however reflect on events and acts on learning points identified through incidents or issues raised by

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people. Safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately, including reporting on events to local authority safeguarding officers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement and recommendation set at the time of the last inspection have been addressed. Additional training and learning opportunities have been arranged. This means that staff have an improved awareness of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding procedures. Staff now closely monitor DVDs and computer games brought into the home to ensure that none are aimed at those over 18 years of age. This has improved safeguarding arrangements for young people. The provider monitors the quality of care through contracted independent visits to the home. The visitor highlights areas that can be improved. For example, staff vacancies were identified as a concern. This issue has been addressed. Since the last inspection, there has been a reduction in the use of agency staff because of successful recruitment of permanent team members. Staff say that this has improved care arrangements. This demonstrates that monitoring

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff work well alongside external agencies. Communication is said to be ‘excellent’ by one social worker. The staff team work hard to engage young people in targeted awareness raising work and personal development programmes. However, work is not always effective. For example, one young person continues to smoke and opts not to follow a healthy, balanced diet. The staff team remain focused on supporting this young person and have sought support from health professionals.

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Information about this children's home

 This home is privately owned, 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 17/05/2016 Full Good 05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 02/09/2015 Full Requires improvement

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 5 days of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint that the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. In particular this relates to the need to set out in records the detail of the feedback from young people. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 20/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 20/01/2017

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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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