Children's home run by Horizon Care Limited in Cannock Chase

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 1 SC374939

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Horizon Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a children’s home for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private company owns it.

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This monitoring visit

During the full inspection visit to the home on 23 and 24 May 2017, Michelle Edge, social care regulatory inspector, found that safeguarding practice at this home was not sufficiently robust and that the arrangements for safeguarding young people were inadequate. A large number of failings were identified, including a lack of effective action by managers and staff in response to serious safeguarding concerns, leaving young people at risk of harm, and young people’s needs not being met across aspects of their welfare, including health and education. The practice of recording and administering medication was unsafe. There was also a lack of required education and health documents to inform practice. Furthermore, behaviour management practices in relation to restraint were unsafe, and the registered manager and staff had failed to identified, minimise and manage all known risks to young people. These practices failed to protect young people from the risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

The children’s home was judged inadequate.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, 12 requirements were made, four of which are subject to compliance notices, and were issued on 26 May 2017. On 1 June 2017, Michelle Edge, social care regulatory inspector, completed an unannounced monitoring visit. The purpose of the monitoring visit was to assess the progress made by the home to ensure that there were effective safeguarding practices in place. During the monitoring visit, the following concerns were again highlighted:

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This monitoring visit

 Risks to the safety and well-being of young people were not being identified, assessed or managed.  At the first inspection, the registered manager and staff failed to follow Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 2 safeguarding procedures when concerns about a young person’s welfare were identified. At the monitoring visit on 1 June 2017, significant shortfalls were repeated, thus demonstrating a failure to adequately safeguard the young person.  There were continued failures in the safe administration and recording of medication.  Behaviour management plans and risk assessments were not robust or effectively reviewed to address the changing needs of the young person.  There continued to be a lack of effective leadership and management oversight, which led to serious incidents not being identified or managed effectively.  The current young person living at the home is not being adequately

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This monitoring visit

safeguarded or protected from harm. As a result, it was Ofsted’s view that it was unsafe to admit any other young people to the home. A restriction notice was issued on 2 June 2017 for a period of three months.

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This monitoring visit

On 8 June 2017, a further monitoring visit was completed. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the progress made by the home regarding four compliance notices issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000.

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This monitoring visit

During the monitoring visit, Michelle Edge, social care regulatory inspector, found that the provider had arranged a team meeting for all staff on 2 June 2017 to discuss the recent Ofsted inspection and to reiterate their roles and responsibilities regarding safeguarding and protecting young people. This included reinforcing expectations around the necessity to follow safeguarding policies and procedures, the safe administration and storage of medication and the actions to be taken if young people returned under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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This monitoring visit

However, on the evening of 1 June 2017, the young person failed to return home. Due to the concerns for the young person’s safety, a staff member on shift contacted the police and other professionals. However, the records fail to accurately state the time that the young person returned home. Staff failed to ensure that an independent return home visit was arranged or a notification was sent to Ofsted. This fails to demonstrate that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities around safeguarding young people.

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This monitoring visit

Furthermore, there were errors in the administration and recording of medication. On 5 June 2017, the logbook indicated that staff had administered ‘one paracetamol’ to a young person. However, the young person’s medication records indicate that two paracetamol had been administered. The daily handover book indicates that no medication had been administered. This confusion fails to show that staff are following safe and appropriate procedures for administering and recording the medication given to the young person. This has the potential to place young people Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 3 at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Although action was taken to update the young person’s daily care plan, insufficient action was taken to update his risk assessment with all known risks and the expected strategies for all staff to follow. Therefore, the provider cannot be assured that all staff are aware of the risks associated with behaviours or whether additional safeguards are required to reduce these risks to the young person or others.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in the hours when the young person has attended his education provision. The provider has established clear routines for all staff regarding how they are expected to support the young person to prepare for and engage in his education. Staff have also held direct discussions with the young person about the importance of engaging in education and training, and what this means for his future.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has ensured that the young person no longer has access to an unprotected internet connection. They have also taken action to ensure that any religious literature is appropriate and supports the young person’s interest in other religions. There has been improvement in the home environment, including the living room areas and the young person’s bedroom. Daily checks are now in place to ensure that standards are maintained.

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This monitoring visit

A further monitoring visit will take place to continue to monitor the compliance notices and ensure that effective action continues to be taken to safeguard and protect the young person.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/05/2017 Full Inadequate 07/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 04/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7(1)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that feedback is provided on any issues or concerns raised by children within their group meetings. 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their education potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible; and that staff help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(iv)(viii)(ix)) 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well- being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 5 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help each child to— achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans; and that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, actively ensure that children receive dental treatment and assessment without delay.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard*

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

Also, that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; and that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d)) 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard*

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (‘The statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16(1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, include in the statement of purpose the number of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to be provided. 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. In particular, the registered person must ensure that a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23(1)(2)(c)) 25/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 7 includes— (i) the name of the child; (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure; (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used; (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and (viii) a description of any injury to the child or any other

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Requirement Due date

person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure; Also ensure that, within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’) (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; and (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(2)(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in schedule 4; and ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37(2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, maintain accurate staff rosters. 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 8 include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Michelle Edge, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 10 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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