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

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Currently one young person is living in the home.

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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 identify, 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. These requirements were issued on 26 May 2017. On 1 June 2017, Michelle Edge, social care regulatory inspector, completed an unannounced monitoring visit. It was evident that there continued to be failings in the safeguarding and protection of young people. 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

A further monitoring visit took place on 8 June 2017. The visit identified a further Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC374939 2 concern around safeguarding whereby staff had again failed to follow the organisation’s own procedures and had not provided an accurate account of the event. This was despite a meeting having been held with all staff on 2 June 2017, to reiterate their roles and responsibilities.

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This monitoring visit

Furthermore, staff had again failed to accurately record young people’s medication, and young people’s risk assessments were still not available to all staff. Therefore, the provider cannot be assured that staff are fully aware of all known risks and the strategies in place to protect young people.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the continued shortfalls, there has been some progress with the young person’s education, and daily audits of the home are now in place to ensure that the environment, including the young person’s bedroom, is maintained to a good standard. Staff have also taken action to ensure that the young person does not have access to an unmonitored internet connection, and direct work has been completed with the young person about keeping safe while online.

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This monitoring visit

On 16 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 visit, Michelle Edge, social care regulatory inspector, found that a new manager had been appointed to the home. She had previously managed the home and has extensive experience and knowledge of residential care. The provider had shared the compliance notices with her, along with a copy of their action and development plan. The regional manager and responsible individual are supporting her in her role, and together they are delivering training, coaching and modelling of effective childcare practice. They are using reflective, individual supervision and team meetings to challenge and support staff to improve. They demonstrate skill in positive and proactive approaches to building warm and nurturing relationships with young people. However, the positive impact on this cannot yet be measured due to the short timescale.

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This monitoring visit

The young person is responding well to the clearer and more consistent boundaries and expectations that have been introduced. This is balanced by improved opportunities for the young person to have fun and live in a better environment. However, the positive impact of these improvements is very much measured in the short term. Risk assessments are improved and the acting manager is currently monitoring paperwork on a daily basis. This will ensure that any errors are quickly rectified, and any areas of concern are highlighted and addressed. Medication administration and recording has also significantly improved and is now monitored on a daily basis through the newly introduced handover process.

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This monitoring visit

Staff reported that they feel the home has generally improved and they are working together more as a team. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC374939 3 A further monitoring visit will take place to continue to monitor the compliance notices, and to 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 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—

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Requirement Due date

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 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC374939 7 relation to a child in the home, a record is made which 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 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC374939 8 instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must 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 of 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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