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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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 23 and 24 May 2017, the home was judged inadequate. A number of significant shortfalls 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. In addition, the practice of recording and administering medication and restraints was unsafe. Furthermore, the registered manager and staff had failed to identify, minimise and manage all known risks to young people. The lack of robust safeguarding practice compromised young people’s welfare and safety. 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, a further monitoring visit found 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

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This monitoring visit

people to the home. A restriction of accommodation notice was issued on 2 June 2017 for a 12-week period. Further monitoring visits took place on 8, 16 and 27 June 2017 to monitor the four compliance notices issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000 and adherence to the restriction of accommodation in place. All visits identified gradual improvements in the home, including the provider taking action to recruit a suitably trained and experienced manager. The inspection also found that no young people had moved into the home since 2 June 2017. Therefore, the restriction of accommodation notice had not been breached. Since the last visit, the young person has moved to a new placement. The manager devised an individualised transition plan, and the young person had the opportunity Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 2 to visit his new placement and spend time with the staff team and other young

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This monitoring visit

people before moving. In addition, as the placement was an internal move, the provider enabled a staff member, who knew the young person, to undertake some shifts at the new placement. This enabled a smooth and positive transition for the young person. The young person’s social worker reported that, ‘He was fully involved in the planning process and had settled quickly.’ No other young people have moved into the home and the provider had continued to comply with the restriction notice in place. The home is undergoing refurbishment, including the redecoration of young people’s bedrooms, the living room areas, and the office. New furniture in all areas of the home will ensure that young people have the opportunity to live in a clean, comfortable environment. The manager had arranged team meetings and direct training for staff to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to effectively safeguard and protect young

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This monitoring visit

people. For example, all staff had attended refresher training in safeguarding, medication and first aid. In addition, the manager had discussed staff’s individual learning through the supervision process. This ensures that all staff have the skills to protect young people. The manager had a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She had continued to evaluate the progress of the home by updating the action and development plan on a weekly basis. She had revised and simplified all paperwork for staff to complete in identifying, addressing and assessing young people’s individual needs. Furthermore, she had completed her application for the registered manager for the home and planned to attend her formal interview with Ofsted. No further enforcement action is planned. However, a further inspection will take place to review how these improvements are embedded into the home’s practices

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This monitoring visit

and to ensure that the service’s ongoing development is sustained

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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 3

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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 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)) 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

10: The health and well-being standard 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. 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)) In particular, actively ensure that children receive dental treatment and assessment without delay. 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

16: Statement of purpose 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; in particular, that it includes the number of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to be provided. (Regulation 16(1)) 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 4 33: Employment of staff 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 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 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 person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result

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Requirement Due date

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)) 25/06/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 5 37: Other records 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)) In particular, maintain accurate staff rosters. 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

40: Notification of a serious event 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 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)) 25/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports 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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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 6

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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 regulatory inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC374939 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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