Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Blackpool

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people make significant progress across all areas of their development following admission to the home.  Young people enjoy positive and respectful relationships with staff and also with each other.  Some young people have made a positive and planned transition into independence, with the support of staff in the home.  Young people are engaging with education and making good progress. Some have been enabled to reintegrate into mainstream school and others have successfully achieved nationally recognised qualifications.  Staff know young people well and understand their needs.  Young people engage in a wide variety of activities that help keep them heathy and improve their self-esteem.  Staff are imaginative and try new ways to engage young people.  Staff support young people to maintain meaningful relationships with their family members.  Staff engage in constructive work with young people about learning to

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

keep safe and to help prepare them for independence.  Involved professionals speak positively about staff in the home and their partnership working.  Managers are visible well respected by the staff team.  Management monitoring is of a high standard and used effectively to drive forward improvements in the home.  Managers request regular feedback from young people, their family members and involved professionals in order to drive forward improvements in the home.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that medicines are prescribed in line with medically approved protocol. Where the home has questions or concerns about a child's medication, they should approach an expert such as a General Medical Practitioner, community pharmacist or designated nurse for looked-after children ('Guide to the children's home regulations including the quality standards', page 35, paragraph 7.15).

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Information about this children's home

The home is one of a number owned and managed by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six male young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/06/2015 Full Outstanding

p.5

Outstanding

Living in this home has a positive impact on outcomes for young people. They receive consistent care, clear boundaries and good routines. Very positive and respectful relationships are evident between staff and young people. This is key to young people wanting to invest in the home. One young person said, ‘Staff are very caring. They are firm but fair. They listen to me.’ Young people soon become confident in the standard of care they can expect to receive, this reduces their anxiety and they soon settle into the routines of the home. A decrease in their disruptive behaviours soon becomes evident, as they begin to make progress across all areas of their development.

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Outstanding

Managers and staff are knowledgeable about the backgrounds and needs of those they care for. Young people are cared for in accordance with their personalised placement plans. Good quality care planning ensures that young people’s progress is subject to regular review and that keyworkers focus their individual time in the best way.

p.6

Outstanding

Very positive and respectful relationships exist between staff and young people. Young people appreciate the commitment shown to them. Those spoken to on inspection said they would feel able to speak to staff about any issues of concern. Young people feel listened to. Professionals working with the home agree with this. One commented, ‘The ethos of the home and the attitude of the management and staff is to keep the child central to everything they do. I am very impressed by [Name of the home].’

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Outstanding

Young people’s educational attendance and attainment improves while they are here. Some young people have successfully re-engaged with education after moving into the home. Similarly, some have reintegrated into mainstream education successfully. There is an expectation that young people will attend education or training; staff provide good role models and there is a positive work ethic in the home. Other professionals are particularly positive about the commitment shown by staff to achieve this. One commented, ‘The staff team at [Name of the home] engage young people extremely well and promote their interests and aspirations. They are able to manage and engage the most difficult and challenging young people. My young person was very difficult to engage with education when he was placed. The home has worked closely with their educational provision to provide him with a bespoke package of education which

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Outstanding

did engage him.’ Young people are also achieving well at college and thinking about their future careers. Young people are healthy and access services appropriate to their needs. Staff provide young people with information about a range of health related issues, so that they can make their own informed choices. This includes information on the effects of alcohol, drugs, and smoking. Staff also have an effective relationship with the looked after children nurse, who visits the home regularly and is available for staff consultation, if required. Staff support young people to attend medical appointments if there are health concerns. However, on one occasion when a young person had been prescribed antibiotics, they had not been administered as prescribed and the decision had been made to cease the course of treatment without consultation with an individual with medical expertise. Staff acted instinctively and on this occasion, there has been no adverse effect on the young

p.6

Outstanding

person. However, potentially the outcome may not have been a positive one.

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Outstanding

There is an extensive range of activities available to young people within the home. A rear annex houses a range of recreational facilities. This includes a gym, table tennis table, softball facilities, and electronic games. However, young people also engage in activities in the local community. This includes: football; golf; fishing; ice-skating; and the trampoline park. Young people also enjoyed an activity holiday over the Summer. This helps ensure that young people are fit and healthy and plays a significant role in improving their self-esteem and confidence.

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Outstanding

Staff ensure that young people are able to maintain contact with their family and friends. They demonstrate a thorough understanding of the individual circumstances of each young person. Staff will facilitate contact, even if this involves transporting the young person some distance away. Social workers and parents comment positively about this. This ensures that young people are able to maintain these important relationships. Staff work pro-actively with parents and in the best interest of the young person. Ofsted received a number of positive responses from parents in relation to their annual survey. Comments included, ‘The staff are fantastic and supportive to my son and myself,’ and ‘The staff are so helpful and supportive of my son. They are always willing to share his progress with me. My son is becoming a better young man thanks to staff.’

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Outstanding

The majority of young people move on from the home in a positive manner. Some return to their families of origin and others move to live successfully in the community. Staff support young people to learn the skills they will require to live alone. Staff work through a number of modules on independence, so that young people have the skills they will need. This includes managing their own budget, when they are approaching transition. One young person spoken to on inspection was looking forward to moving on and felt staff had equipped him with the skills he will need saying, ‘Staff have been great. They have been with me to visit my flat and are helping me get everything I need. I am also managing my own budget and doing my own cooking. I also have a part-time job. I can’t thank the staff here enough for what they have done for me.’ Judgement grade

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Outstanding

Young people living in the home are safe. Staff are clear about their responsibilities in ensuring the safety and welfare of those in their care. Staff make it clear to young people that bullying is not acceptable and there is an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance in the home. One young person commented in response to an Ofsted survey, ‘Bullying is not allowed at my home and I don't bully anyone.’ Staff ensure that young people know how to raise any issues as they occur and young people are able to sort out their differences with the assistance of staff. Similarly, young people benefit from consistent behaviour management strategies. The ethos of the home is to value young people and reward their achievements. Sanctions are rarely required. Young people are successfully learning how to manage their own behaviour. One young person said, ‘Staff help me to manage my behaviour and encourage me to resolve any conflict positively.’

p.8

Outstanding

Staff receive training on the safe use of restraint, in case young people are placing themselves or others at risk. However, physical interventions are rarely required. Incidents that have occurred relate to new residents exhibiting behaviours to test and challenge those caring for them. Staff maintain detailed records of incidents that do occur. These are subject to review at staff meetings, ensuring that lessons are learnt from these and alternatives considered for the future. As a result, incidents quickly reduce.

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Outstanding

Personalised risk assessments identify the risks pertinent to each young person and ensure that staff understand the most appropriate way to respond. These receive swift update following any incident. This way staff are alert to any heightened behaviours of concern. They also receive regular review, enabling a reduction in risk rating, as young people learn to manage their behaviours.

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Outstanding

Staff understand and implement the local missing from care protocols. Partnership working with the police and other safeguarding agencies is effective. When young people do go missing from the home staff work hard to try to locate them. They do not give up on young people and work hard at locating them, through contact with family members and known associates. They listen to young people. Family members and professionals say, ‘They go the extra mile.’ In one instance, the registered manager wrote a personal message to the young person and delivered it to every address where he thought the young person might be, in the hope that this would result in the young person making contact with the home. Good quality records are kept outlining the actions that staff have taken. They ensure that the young person is welcomed on their return. Key working also ensures that the young person understands the vulnerable position that they place themselves in on

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Outstanding

these occasions. Young people said, ‘Whilst out on free time I keep in touch with staff and let them know where I am and that I’m okay,’ and ‘Staff and my key worker tell me of the dangers. They have taught me how to stay safe.’

p.9

Outstanding

Thorough staff recruitment processes prevent unsuitable adults from gaining employment in the home. Any allegations made about staff are taken seriously, although there have been none since the last inspection. The Registered Manager consults appropriately with the designated officer about any issues that do occur. Similarly, positive liaison is evident with other professionals with a safeguarding responsibility such as the local community police officer.

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Outstanding

The Registered Manager has been in post for over two years. Prior to this, he was the deputy manager of the home for four years. He has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to manage the home. A deputy manager is in place to support him. He also has a management qualification. Together they are clear about the ethos of the home and provide enthusiastic and dynamic leadership.

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Outstanding

There have been a few staff changes since the last inspection. However, key staff remain and new ones have quickly been inducted into the home’s ethos. There has been minimum disruption to young people. The vast majority of the staff team have the necessary minimum level three qualification or are currently working towards this.

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Outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisal. This provides staff with an opportunity to reflect on their practice and decision-making. Staff training is a priority and a range of pertinent training opportunities is available. For example, staff have received training on radicalisation and sexually harmful behaviour. Specific training has also been sourced for staff in advance of a planned admission. This ensures that staff have the necessary skills to meet the needs of young people and are able to respond appropriately from the outset. Staff also appreciate this investment in their development.

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Outstanding

The home’s statement of purpose reflects their aims and objectives. The registered manager has a dynamic development plan, which helps to prioritise developments in the home. Managers clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They regularly seek feedback on the operation of the home from those using the service. The manager documents the action he has taken because of their comments. The environment is a warm and welcoming one, for young people to live in. The home is located in a residential area on the outskirts of the town. There is good access to public transport enabling young people to participate in community life easily. Parents and professionals comment on the relaxed and homely atmosphere within the home.

p.9

Outstanding

Managers know the young people well and are committed to them. They are able to demonstrate the progress they have made since moving into the home. Due consideration is given to potential new admissions, ensuring that their needs are compatible with the current residents. Good quality impact risk assessments demonstrate this. These include contact with social workers and other professionals for young people living in the home, to ensure that they also have no concerns.

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Outstanding

Liaison with other agencies is particularly effective. Positive relationships exist between managers and other professionals. One commented, ‘Communication has been excellent. I would highly recommend this provision to other social workers,’ and ‘They are very proactive. I cannot fault them. I am very impressed with the home.’

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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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