Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 1 SC480678 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home offers medium- to long-term care for a maximum of six boys who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A large national provider of children‟s residential services operates the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 28 February 2017

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people form good, trusting relationships with staff, which underpin good- quality care. Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 2  Young people are able to identify and take pride in the progress that they make at the home. They credit improvements in their behaviour to staff support, saying that they are calmer because they can talk to staff about their worries.  Managers and staff work in partnership with placing authorities, other professionals and young people‟s families, resulting in young people receiving good-quality, integrated care.  Staff work well together to promote young people‟s needs.  Young people enjoy a range of activities, reflecting their interests and preferences.  All children and young people attend and enjoy education. All have improved their attendance from their educational starting points.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Allow young people to have more input in choosing their own key worker.  The home‟s development plan should cover more than just how it wishes to improve the facilities in the home.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/07/2016 Full Good 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/10/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 3

p.2

Recommendations

 Ensure that children‟s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments, with particular regards to carpets, duvets and pillows in children‟s‟ bedrooms and damp in the bathroom. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 13, paragraph 3.12)  Ensure that staff engage proactively with the local authority to shape and contribute fully to the various plans for the child‟s care on an ongoing basis. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 48, paragraph 11.4)  Ensure that the recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff supports safe practice and minimises potential risks to children. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 52, paragraph 13.1)

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people make good progress in many aspects of their lives, because they benefit from well-planned and managed care that is closely monitored. The service that the young people receive is flexible and adapts to their changing needs. Staff work very well together. They prioritise making positive and trusting relationships with each young person in their care. One young person said, „I am happy here. Compared to my last home, this is heaven.‟ Another said, ‟I‟m doing OK.‟ A professional said,‟ Staff are very helpful, and they contact me regularly. They ask my advice and work with me for his benefit.‟ Since the last inspection, there have been changes at the home, with young people leaving to go to new placements and other young people arriving. A social worker said, „He has made excellent progress, he has formed good relationships with everyone and verbalises this to his family and to me.‟ New young people receive a warm welcome from

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

staff to the home, and staff help them to understand the home‟s rules and the boundaries in place to safeguard all young people. Young people are involved in all aspects of their care in the home. They talk to staff about what they enjoy doing in their spare time and about managing their free time. They are confident in approaching staff, and know that adults are interested in their views and take notice of them. Some young people are new to the home, but college placements have been sorted quickly for them. There is a strong culture in the home of promoting education. The Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 4 registered manager and staff are extremely proactive in making sure that all possible avenues are explored, so that all young people have educational placements to move to as soon as possible. This means that all young people have opportunities to learn and develop in line with their age and stage of development. One social worker commented,

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

„He is motivated and, for the first time, he is using the words “good” and “education” in the same sentence. This may not seem much, but in my young person‟s life this is incredible. He has attended his LAC Review, his PEP and Statement Review – all firsts for our young man!‟ Young people enjoy good health, and they keep fit and well. Young people receive good primary healthcare services that ensure that their needs are prioritised. When more specialised services are required, staff ensure that these are in place. Staff talk to young people about lifestyle choices, including smoking and drugs misuse, which helps to educate them about risks to their health and well-being. One young person has been successful, following a quit smoking programme, to stop smoking, which is a great achievement and will have long-term benefits on their health. Young people are encouraged to develop age-appropriate skills and they help with

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

chores around the home, including meal preparation and keeping their rooms clean. Young people personalise their own rooms, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging. Some bedroom carpets, duvets and pillows were in need of updating, as they were stained and worn and were not conducive to a homely environment. Black mould in the bathroom was unsightly. Measures to replace areas with black mould by covering them with plastic cladding needs further attention to make the room a much nicer place to bathe. Relationships between young people, their families and friends are supported and valued by staff. Young people continue to see their family, wherever possible. This ensures that they maintain important relationships with their loved ones, and have an understanding of their backgrounds and their identities.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers and staff work well together to support young people‟s behaviour. Staff are skilled in de-escalating situations and helping young people to develop the ability to self- regulate their behaviour. Physical interventions are rare, as good communication between staff and young people helps most young people to manage their behaviour appropriately. Clear boundaries, applied consistently by the staff team, help young people to understand the expectations for their behaviour. This means that young people are supported to develop socially acceptable behaviour, and to understand how to interact with others in the community, thus improving their citizenship skills. Recording in the home is much improved and there is a clear shift towards more child- focused recording. However, there are still some areas of improvement to be made to make sure that records are meaningful. For example, the health section of the

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

placement plan lacked detail and issues were not crossed referenced with the healthcare plan. Furthermore, goals and objectives of the placement had not been updated. Managers and staff are responsive to young people‟s safety. For example, when young people struggle to manage their behaviour, or present risks to other young people, Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 5 managers and staff escalate their concerns to other professionals and devise strategies to try and improve the situation. Consequently, young people‟s safety improves as professionals work together to resolve difficulties. One social worker said, „There have been very few of the behaviours presented prior to the placement. What is obvious is that the staff team like and value him.‟ There have been a number of occasions when young people have been away from the home without permission. Staff work closely with the young people to highlight the risks

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

and dangers of being away from the home when adults do not know where they are. Young people‟s understanding of risks and dangers improves. Key-work sessions with young people are undertaken frequently, and are well recorded by staff, reflecting important discussions with them about topics such as drugs, missing from care, relationships, and their reflections on settling into the home. Young people are supported to tell adults if they are worried about any aspect of their life, thus improving their overall safety. Effective working relationships with local police mean that a strong network of support is available to young people. Police visit the home, helping to break down barriers as young people become familiar with their presence and have more understanding of the role of the police in the community. Young people‟s safety is further promoted by the appropriate vetting of staff. There are thorough recruitment processes in place which mean that young people are protected

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

from adults who may wish to harm them. Young people benefit from living in a home that has a safe and secure environment. Regular safety checks ensure that equipment works well and presents no risks to young people. Fire drills are regularly undertaken in line with organisational policy, and all young people are conversant with the need to evacuate from time to time, maintaining vigilance and, thus, safety for all.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been in post since 2016. He has a level 5 diploma in leadership and management in residential childcare. The registered manager is extremely committed to providing high-quality care for young people and ensuring that they continue to make progress in line with their plans. Young people commented, „He is a really good manager, he is honestly‟. He provides sound leadership, and continually appraises the overall functioning of the home to provide the best possible environment for young people to grow and develop. The registered manager has a clear focus on the needs of each young person in his care, and the steps that he and the staff must take to ensure that progress for each young person is achieved. Team meetings and supervision sessions are forums where young people‟s achievements and difficulties are identified. The registered manager is effective in proactively escalating concerns that he and the staff team have about young people.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager liaises with local authorities and other professionals, including therapists, if young people are unable to adhere to boundaries, for example, and place themselves and others at risk of harm. The registered manager organises professionals‟ meetings so that a multi-agency approach is identified to help young people to address Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 6 their difficulties and make progress, or to make decisions about whether the home is able to meet specific needs. This helps to prevent young people facing crises, and avoids drift and delay in meeting young people‟s needs. Staff say that they are well supported. Most staff receive regular supervision, enabling them to reflect on the welfare of young people and on their own professional development. When staff are in post for more than 12 months, they have an annual appraisal to identify progress and areas for development or improvement. However, this

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

has not happened for staff who work part-time. All staff undertake regular training, including courses specific to the needs of the young people they care for, for example young people with diabetes. All staff have a level 3 diploma in caring for children and young people in residential care, are enrolled on the course, or will undertake it on completion of their probationary period. Consequently, young people are cared for by staff who have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet young people‟s needs. The home is operating according to its statement of purpose. The registered manager is aware of the strengths and areas of development for the service. Development areas, however, tend to focus around the aesthetics of the fabric and furnishings of the building. The registered manager is enthusiastically committed to ensuring that the service continues to evolve and develop for the benefit of the young people in his care.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Independent monitoring visits occur monthly and the registered manager keenly welcomes scrutiny and oversight. He prepares self-monitoring reports and submits these to Ofsted, outlining patterns, trends and proposals to meet any deficits that he identifies in the running of the home. Two recommendations made at the last inspection have been actioned.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hexagon Care Services, 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton On Ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ

p.7

Inspector

Elaine Clare, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8