Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Information about this children’s home

The home is a privately run children’s home. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 18 to 19 July 2017. Following this judgement, a compliance notice was issued, which related to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring inspection took place on 15 August 2017. One young person has continued to live at the home, but is due to move to another placement imminently. Two young people have moved to alternative placements. No new admissions have taken place and the registered manager remains absent. An interim manager has been in place since the last inspection. Staff from other homes within the company have been covering shifts alongside the permanent staff.

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This monitoring visit

Following the inspection, it is judged that the compliance notice is not met. While there have been no admissions to the home since the full inspection, the interim manager is unable to evidence that the matching and admissions processes, including impact risk assessments, have been reviewed.

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This monitoring visit

All staff are undertaking three days of training in relation to effective communication with young people and safeguarding. It remains premature to make a judgement about the effectiveness of the training and the effect it will have in ensuring that staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children. Staff commented that it has been valuable to their learning and development.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are not up to date. Some of the risk assessments in place refer to the young person’s previous placement and not their current home. This has serious implications for staff safety and the well-being of the young people in their care. Therefore, the provider’s ability to ensure that each young person’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered to keep each young person safe and protected from harm remains compromised.

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This monitoring visit

Because of this shortfall, staff are unable to accurately assess whether the young person is at risk of harm and how this risk is being managed. A requirement is raised at this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are spending more time with the young person and are engaging her in activities, such as baking and outings of her choice. However, the complaints made by the young people at the full inspection about lack of consultation and notice periods for placement moves have been repeated. Two young people were moved with no planning and their voice has gone unheard. The remaining young person is not being consulted about her forthcoming move, which is imminent. The requirement made at the last inspection in relation to the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is not met. A requirement is raised at this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The young person is currently on school holiday so not attending education. However, should she remain in placement she will return to her school. This requirement is met.

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This monitoring visit

The number of incidents of assaults on staff and threatening behaviour by the young people has increased. The relationships now being built with the young person are not yet based on sufficient trust and respect to help her develop socially aware behaviour. The requirement regarding the development of positive relationships is not fully met and is raised at this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager of the home remains absent. An interim manager is in place. He has not addressed the requirements made at the last inspection, including the areas subject to compliance. The young person is not making positive progress. There has been an increase in aggression towards staff. The young person is being looked after by staff from a variety of other homes. This prevents her from forming positive relationships.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager was unclear about the destination of the two young people who have moved. No information regarding the young people has been shared with the respective homes. This information would help those young people to receive care based on their individual needs. It would also inform the new homes of patterns of behaviour and the presenting risk factors. The requirement in respect of this is not met and is raised at this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The induction training for new staff has improved. The previous induction training has been enhanced and now includes additional aspects to support the care of children and young people. The requirement in respect of this is met.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no incidents of young people requiring return home interviews since the full inspection. No new placements have been considered. Therefore it is not possible to judge whether the recommendations made are met. They are re-set to be considered at the next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/07/2017 Full Inadequate

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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

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 staff talk to young people about moves to alternate placements and allow them to discuss their views and concerns. 24/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationship standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on– mutual trust and respect; an understanding of acceptable behaviour; and positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard at paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure– that staff help each child to develop socially aware behaviour. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(ii)) 24/09/2017

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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. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that care plans and risk assessments are up to date and valid. Ensure that the care provided by staff is well informed and consistent. 24/09/2017

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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 24/09/2017 children’s home that– helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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; ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; 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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(d)(e)(f)) The care planning standard is that children– receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that arrangements are in place to– ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that welcome procedures are in place for new young people arriving at the home. When young people are moving, they should be reassured by staff and given the opportunity to discuss their views. 24/09/2017

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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 home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care And Education Group Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Catherine Sikakana 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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