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

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people continue to receive good-quality care that is making a difference to their lives. They are fully involved in all aspects of their care planning, which ensures that they contribute their views and have a clear understanding of their progress and plans for their future. Young people are clear about their targets and know what to do to achieve them. This proactive approach has increased young people’s self-confidence and self-esteem and has equipped them with determination to work towards future adult lives.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are strong indicators identified during this inspection that provide evidence that each young person living in the home has continued to make progress. For example, school attendance for young people has improved and educational progress has continued. Staff recognise and value the importance of education and do their best to promote this. This has promoted some success in young people achieving positive outcomes in education. For example, one young person has successfully reintegrated back into full-time education following a period of disruption. The manager and staff team continue to support, encourage and have high aspirations for all young people to achieve their full potential.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff continue to encourage young people to spend time engaging in positive activities, both in the home and in the local community. During the inspection, young people and staff were observed interacting positively with each other, playing games and chatting about their day. Young people also have the opportunity to access other activities, such as indoor sky diving, go-karting and frequent visits to the local athletics centre, which offers time for them to meet friends and engage in positive activities with each other.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

All requirements from the last inspection have been addressed and are embedded in practice. Recording practice has improved and significant incident records are completed with sufficient rigour and offer appropriate level of detail. Effective action has been taken to address young people’s prolific cannabis use. As a result, young people’s substance misuse has decreased significantly. Risk assessments and care plans including behavioural plans have also been much improved. These records are clear, detailed, updated and shared with young people. This means that both staff and young people are aware of the presenting risks and have a good understanding of the agreed strategies in place to safeguard both the young person and the staff team.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The staff team challenges negative behaviours and consistent practice is helping young people to self-regulate and articulate their feelings in a more socially acceptable manner. Young people are all at different stages of learning how to manage risk. However, records demonstrate a considerable reduction in challenging behaviour. This demonstrates that young people are making positive choices and are, therefore, increasingly safe.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Following the departure of some young people, episodes of going missing from care have decreased. The majority of young people currently living in the home do not place themselves at risk by going missing from the home. This further demonstrates that young people are settled. Records demonstrate that if young people do go missing, the staff team knows the local area well and takes quick action to ensure the young person’s safe return. A missing from home protocol and risk assessment is in place for each young person and all the staff team members have experienced work with young people who have previously gone missing. The frequency of independent return home interviews has also improved. These are now routinely conducted by an independent person and there is a clear, coordinated approach to episodes of going missing from care. This further demonstrates that the safety and well-being of young people are given optimum

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Good-quality relationships are established with parents, family members, placing social workers and external agencies. This means that young people benefit from a holistic support package, which strives to ensure that they are safe and have access to the right levels of support. Relationships between staff and young people are equally positive. One social worker commented, ‘[Name]’s response to staff was immediately positive. The staff team was very engaging with him and made him feel welcome. I have found this service to be very proactive, more so than any of the other homes I’ve worked with.’ A young person spoken with during the inspection was also positive about staff and said, ‘I know that staff have got my back and listen to me.’ This further demonstrates the quality of relationships between staff and young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Leaders and managers foster a clear determination, energy and motivation to improve the home. This is an ethos that the team embraces. The team is enthusiastic, motivated and provides consistent support that meets the individual needs of young people. The home is well resourced in terms of staffing. The team has a broad range of experience and skills to meet the everyday challenges of caring for young people. Staff confirm that they are effectively supported and value regular supervision and team meetings. This ensures that they are clear about their roles and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is a range of effective monitoring tools in place. These offer a detailed and evaluative measure of progress that the young people have made. This enables the manager to track the effectiveness of interventions and analyse the difference that the home is making to the lives of young people. Information is shared with all stakeholders and this ensures that they are kept up to date and are clear about the impact that the home is having. The manager continues to strive to improve all aspects of the home, consulting with the staff team in the development of processes to ensure safe and consistent child-focused practice. Shortfalls are quickly identified and prompt action is taken to effect improvements. This results in a home where there is ambition to provide continued high-quality care for young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

To conclude, this is a well-managed home and young people are making good progress. Previous requirements and recommendations have been addressed and leaders and managers are committed to ongoing development. The managers demonstrate good learning from inspection activity to promote the development of the service.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company. It is registered to care 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 08/06/2016 Full Good 17/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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