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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked hard to provide a stable and consistent home for the young people. New members of the staff team have settled in well with good induction periods. Existing staff have been promoted to management posts. Changes in the home are well managed and the young people enjoy getting to know new people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team supports young people to try new activities and develop new hobbies. Memorabilia collected from these are seen around the home. Despite some running repairs, the home remains a safe environment with a homely and nurturing atmosphere. This allows young people to feel safe and develop a sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education remains a priority for young people, and staff ensure that they have support to attend school. Young people are supported into college and other educational activities for further education. There is a good relationship between educational establishments and the manager and staff team. They act as advocates to ensure that the young people attain the best educational opportunities possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have reviewed the homes behaviour management strategies, which are now more responsive to the young people currently in the home. Young people can behave in a way that is very challenging and aggressive. Staff respond appropriately, using their skills to de-escalate these behaviours. They spend time with the young people to reflect on what has happened. This allows young people to identify triggers to their behaviour and helps them to learn to self-regulate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do still go missing from this home. When they go missing, staff look for them and work closely with the police and other agencies to try to arrange a speedy return. When this is not possible, staff liaise with the police regularly to share information about their potential whereabouts. Young people are encouraged to talk with an independent person following their return. Information gathered from these return home interviews informs the missing-from-home risk assessments. The recommendations from the previous inspection relate to access to files and recording styles. These have been fully met. The case records are now child- friendly and accessible. Documents such as the children’s guide and placement plans have a more child-friendly presentation, are shorter and can be easily read. This is a significant improvement from the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to be an excellent leader. She has managed change for staff and young people with a robust development plan. It is clear from changes to practice, and especially recording, that she is always trying to improve. She is very well thought of by the young people and her staff team.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home offers medium- to long-term care both within the main house and in the attached independence flat.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/07/2015 Full Good 18/02/2015 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 that 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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