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 good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. The manager was first registered with Ofsted in 2008 and was re-registered in February 2016 when the home moved to new premises. An experienced deputy manager supports the manager to effectively run the home in line with the aims and ethos of the statement of purpose. Both managers have worked at the home for a number of years and they work well together. Young people and the staff benefit from having an established and consistent management team. Staff are suitably qualified or working towards this. Staff receive good training packages and these reflect the needs of the young people. Six recommendations were made at the last inspection. These have been successfully addressed to a good standard. Managers report that these changes

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have enhanced practice among the staff team and provided them with the management oversight that they need to ensure that practice is to the required standard. The quality of recording has greatly improved, which supports the day-to-day care of young people. Managers now have robust systems in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of recording and the effectiveness of action plans that are in place to help, support and care for young people. Young people are encouraged to develop individual memory books that reflect their time spent at the home. Young people benefit from a thorough independence package. Two young people have left the home since the last inspection. These have been planned transitions to independence. One social worker reports that this ‘was a good and planned move’ and that they were ‘really happy with the move and support of [name of child]’. Furthermore, they commented that ‘there had been real improvement for

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

[name of child] over the past three years while he was living at [name of the home]’. Young people are making good progress and they say that they like living here. The care that they receive is in line with their care plans. Most young people are accessing education and their attendance and attainment are good. Individual educational packages are in place to meet the needs of the young people. Where there are challenges to accessing education, training and employment, staff actively work with partner agencies to explore options that will meet young people’s needs. Where young people are not accessing full-time education, training or employment, daily routines are not adapted and thus young people are not encouraged to access other learning opportunities and interests. The positive relationships between young people and staff and indeed each other are a key strength of the home. Young people say that one of the best things

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

about living here are the staff. Good relationships and support enable young people to make well-informed decisions, which keep them safe. When young people do put themselves at risk, for example going missing from home, staff respond swiftly and appropriately. They know the young people well and are able to use this knowledge to support their risk assessments and decision-making. Strategies are individualised and achieve the desired impact. Recording in this area is also strong. Young people benefit from effective behaviour management practices, which are influenced by good, positive and respectful relationships between young people and staff. Young people receive support and incentives to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Sanctions are rarely used. When they are used, they are proportionate and have the desired impact on behaviour. There has been one restraint since the last inspection. The management of this incident was in line with

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

procedure and the recording was to a good standard. The manager and staff work well with social workers and other agencies to ensure that the care that young people receive is in line with their care plans. However, care plans and risk assessments would benefit from having more specialist input to ensure that staff fully understand young people’s behaviours. Furthermore, information provided from agencies requires a full review to ensure that concerns about behaviours are not overlooked and consequently not addressed. There has been one new resident since the last inspection. This was a planned admission. Overall, they have settled very well into their new home and are making good progress. The young person reports that they ‘like living here’. Young people are supported to have regular contact with their families and friends. They are encouraged to maintain relationships with friends from their home areas

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and they speak positively about maintaining these links. These networks support young people as they prepare and plan for their transition to independent living. Staff encourage young people to access activities. They participate in the planning of these activities. Young people recently went on holiday to North Wales. This was an activity-based holiday and they had the opportunity to take part in various activities, for example Go-Ape and paintballing. Young people enjoyed the holiday.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This is a children’s home operated by a private company. It is currently registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people. The home cares for young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person should ensure that the children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. (Regulation 10(1)(b) In particular, young people’s substance use should be assessed in a timely way and relevant provision should be put in place to address the need and risk. 02/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person should demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of the children are best met. (Regulation 13(2)(g)(i)) Specifically, staff should use information from other specialised agencies to inform practice and promote the safety and welfare of the children. 02/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 The ethos of the home should support each child to learn, emphasising the value of independent study and reading for enjoyment. The home must make available suitable facilities, equipment and resources for learning and ensure that the home’s routines do not form barriers to children wishing to use the home’s resources to study. Staff must support children with home study by encouraging them to learn independent study skills and helping them to practise those skills.(‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18) In particular, staff must ensure that each child receives an educational daily routine and has access to educational resources during the school day.

p.5

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’.

p.7

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

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8