Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

This monitoring visit

An interim inspection was completed on 9 November 2016, at which the home was judged to have declined in effectiveness. This was due to the inappropriate handling of allegations against staff that were not responded to correctly by the deputy and registered manager. Thus, they compromised the home’s safeguarding policy and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. As a result, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 12, ‘The protection of children standard’.

p.2

This monitoring visit

On 15 December 2016, we conducted a monitoring visit to the home, to monitor and evaluate the actions taken by the provider to comply with the regulation 12 notice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The inspector found that, subsequent to the provision of safeguarding training, the registered manager, deputy and members of the staff team have a heightened awareness and understanding of the detection and response to child protection concerns. There is now an improved recognition and role responsibility, for example, to refer allegations to outside agencies without delay in order to safeguard and protect young people and to follow the steps stipulated in the home’s revised managing allegations policy. There are also more rigorous systems and recording mechanisms in place to ensure that there is a clear audit trail of events, including actions taken in response to allegations against staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager was able to demonstrate to the inspector during the visit that effective action has been taken in response to an allegation made against a member of staff, following the previous inspection. It was evident that this allegation had been dealt with in line with the home’s revised process and procedure, including a timely referral to the local authority designated officer and removal of the staff member from shift. The steps taken eliminated the risk to young people and allowed for the necessary investigation to be undertaken. The record of the incident was found to be in sequence order and sufficiently detailed. A young person commented to the inspector that, despite a difference of opinion as to what had allegedly occurred, he was satisfied with the way matters had been handled and felt safe at the home. Feedback from the designated officer was positive in that it was felt the incident had been managed appropriately.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager demonstrated a positive drive and commitment to work closely with the deputy manager, the team and outside agencies, with safeguarding being a focal point at team meetings and in individual one-to-one sessions. She has been proactive in seeking input and advice from the designated officer for Rochdale local authority and has cascaded information in the form of a designated officer-based seminar to the team in order to enhance their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and procedures. This contributes to keeping young people safe at the home. This monitoring visit evidenced that the compliance notice is met. Sustained improvements will be measured at the next inspection.

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven children who have learning difficulties as well as children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider.

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.4

Information about this inspection

to 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,

p.5

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

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

p.5