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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . There is a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager in charge of the home. He has managed the home for the last two years. An experienced deputy manager supported him in this role, although he has recently left to work elsewhere in the organisation. A new deputy manager is due to start work shortly. The registered manager continues to provide clear and visible leadership. He has worked hard to address the issues identified at the last inspection and to establish a stable staff team. He is still in the process of ensuring that all new employees have the training and skills that they need to care for young people, but he has made considerable progress. He has, for example, undertaken specific skills workshops with staff. Topics have included key working and child sexual

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

exploitation. This is effective in terms of time management and ensures staff’s awareness of their responsibilities in a timely manner. Staff meetings have been used effectively to remind staff of their duties and responsibilities towards the young people whom they care for, and to reiterate the organisation’s policies and procedures for reporting sickness absence. There have been no further incidents of concern since the last inspection. Similarly, records demonstrate that young people’s risk assessments have received prompt updates to alert staff to any escalation in behaviours of concern. Staff spoken to on inspection demonstrated a good understanding of young people and their behaviours. The support to staff through regular supervision has also improved since the last inspection. New staff benefit from a clear induction plan outlining what they need to achieve in terms of familiarisation with policies and practice, as well as training

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

required. All staff also benefit from an individualised training plan outlining their training needs. The organisation’s training department receives notification about these, so that the training plan can be organised to meet them. Of the five requirements resulting from the last inspection, Ofsted assesses that the provider has made sufficient progress to address four of these. However, concerns remain regarding safe staff recruitment practice. For instance, a discrepancy in employment dates had not received further exploration and the verification telephone call recorded for one referee contained details relating to a different employee. Consequently, this requirement is repeated once again at this inspection. Action has been taken to address the recommendations resulting from the last inspection. This includes the introduction of a new feedback book for young people, where the registered manager can provide prompt feedback in relation to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

any issues raised in young people’s meetings. Updated mobile phone risk assessments also ensure that staff and young people are clear about the expectations in relation to the usage of these devices. The stable and settled group of young people living in the home continues to make good progress. The young people are all attending school or college. One young person has had a planned return to his birth family, with staff and young people holding an event to wish him well. Staff continue to promote contact for young people and have successfully reinstated contact for one young person, where relationships had previously broken down. Staff continue to promote positive behaviour and successfully de-escalate difficult situations. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Likewise, young people engage in activities with staff, and do not put themselves at risk by going missing from home. This reflects how settled they feel here.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Similarly, positive outcomes are evident in relation to young people’s involvement in offending behaviour, as all involvement with the youth offending team has now concluded successfully. The registered manager has received positive feedback from those involved. Comments include, ‘I have always had good communication with staff at [the name of the home]. This has resulted in any issue being quickly resolved,’ and, ‘I have been impressed with all staff. They have provided good care and appear to strive for meeting the best interests of their young people.’

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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 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

14/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

32: Fitness of workers Ensure that individuals who are employed at the children’s home satisfy the specified requirements and that full and satisfactory information is available in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(3)) 24/04/2017

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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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