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 outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Young people continue to make good progress living in this home. In particular, staff prepare young people for independent living in a gentle and proactive manner. Young people’s independence plans are bespoke. Young people contribute to what they would like to focus on when preparing for independence. For example, some young people start with budgeting for their own food earlier than may be anticipated. The home has a semi-independent annex on site. This means that young people can progress towards independence in line with their plans. They have the opportunity to test out their skills safely while living in a familiar place, coupled with having staff available to offer further support. All young people attend and engage in education. A letter from one young person’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school was congratulating her on 100% attendance. The manager works in close partnership with education professionals, with particular reference to young people having difficulty at school. Managers appropriately challenge teachers when young people have their confidentiality breached or are excluded. This shared approach makes sure that young people are receiving a holistic approach to their educational needs and that they are supported emotionally. Young people are safe. Managers and staff clearly know the individual needs of each young person. They recognise their individual differences and, at the same time, ensure their safety, minimising risks and increasing personal safety. Behaviour management plans are bespoke to young people and use strategies that work for each young person. Managers and staff have a clear understanding of why they need to safeguard young people and what they need to do to make sure

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that young people stay safe. Robust, clear risk assessments, combined with effective leadership and proactive safeguarding practice, make sure that young people are protected. Staff build up positive relationships with families and professionals and consult regularly with them. A social worker recorded that staff have a ’great relationship with [young person]’. As a result, young people enjoy living in the home and make good progress. Managers and staff continually strive to improve the experiences and progress of young people. Young people engage in meaningful discussions in their meetings and are able to chair their meetings should they wish to. Young people watched a video about a real-life situation of online grooming. The video demonstrates to young people how quickly social media can negatively escalate. Consequently, young people are learning about issues that are important to them. Young people enjoy themselves and engage in activities that they enjoy, for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

example, arts and crafts, drama group, girl guides and ‘voices of care’. A letter from a drama school stated ‘how incredibly impressed [it was] with the effort [young person] has put into learning her monologue’. This demonstrates the progress that young people make. Staff work closely with young people’s families. Young people see their families regularly. As a result, young people are not isolated from their families. Following a previous inspection, the manager has worked closely with staff to make sure that they understand the difference between a complaint and a concern. This makes sure that staff respond swiftly to any complaint that is made and that all staff are working to the same standard.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a private children’s care organisation and is registered to accommodate five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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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 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 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 whom 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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, 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,

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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