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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of young people since the last inspection. Young people benefit from trusting relationships with a stable team of skilled carers at this children’s home. Staff support and encourage the young people to do well and celebrate their achievements. Staff also ensure that young people have opportunities to have fun and enjoy new experiences. As a result, young people feel highly valued. The inspection identified a shortfall in safeguarding practice. However, this has not impacted overall on the welfare and safety of young people living at the home. Young people continue to make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An incident took place that involved risk-taking behaviour by one young person at the home involving indecent images. Following the incident, the deputy manager explained that the social worker had been informed. However, there was no documented evidence to support this. A serious incident form had not been completed and the risk assessment had not been updated. Ofsted was not notified of the event. A key-worker session took place following the discovery of the images and the social media account was blocked. While these few measures went some way to keeping the young person safe, other professionals should have been informed, including the police.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people engage in education. Schools reported a good relationship with staff at the home: ‘We have a good relationship with staff, we have regular phone contact and we work in partnership with the home.’ Effective links to local community resources support young people to access college courses, work experience and employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a structured environment, with clear boundaries and planned daily routines. They are helped to take responsibility for their behaviour and conduct, to respect each other’s privacy and to be sensitive to each other’s feelings. If there are difficulties and tensions, staff swiftly defuse them, facilitating residents meetings and mediation meetings. In this way, young people learn to negotiate differences and to make compromises. They develop and maintain positive friendships and life skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a safe environment in which young people settle. Incidents of young people missing or requiring physical intervention are infrequent. When they do occur, good recording and monitoring are in place and are linked to risk assessment updates. Missing young people receive return home interviews from their local authorities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health services are available according to individual need. Staff access specific health services, including dieticians, and child and adolescent mental health and sexual health services. They work in partnership with health services to improve young people’s health and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people access social and recreational opportunities inside and outside of the home, according to their interests. They make decisions, including on their summer holiday destination of Calpe, Spain. Young people commented: ‘It’s really good, we go on holidays, we go swimming and to the beach, we spend time with staff, watch movies with them and go out.’ Young people report feeling safe and do not wish to change anything about their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn new skills at their own pace and undertake independence skills training. Staff challenge leaving-care plans when they are not in the young person’s best interests or do not represent their views. Young people learn strategies to manage their emotions and to talk about their feelings, and also the emotional and practical aspects of leaving care. Staff provide the nurturing care and consistent boundaries required for young people to feel secure and make progress. Young people talk with pride about their achievements. Young people make progress. This equips them for both the present and their future independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is comfortable, well decorated, well maintained and safe. The young people say that they are proud of their home. Rooms are personalised. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their bedroom, and to assist in cleaning and cooking at the home. They enjoy having photographs around the home of their days out and significant events. Consequently, young people respect the home and each other’s space.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide accommodation for six male young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Outstanding

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(a)(vi) that staff take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. 31/03/2017

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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 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 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 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 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

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

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