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

Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 1 SC366851 Registered provider: Horizon Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in April 2017, the registered manager has made significant improvements to address the identified shortfalls in practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, two young people have been discharged from the home. One young person, upon successful completion of GCSE examinations, returned to her home community to live with her parents and attend a college course within her home area. A second young person was discharged after a period of notice was served to the local authority. The registered manager assessed that the staff at the home were unable to engage with the young person, so could not meet the young person’s needs. There has been one new admission to the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 2 Clear risk assessments now detail the behaviour or concern and highlight three areas of response. These include proactive response and strategy, re-active response and strategy and a reflective response and strategy. This means that staff can determine the most effective response depending on the risk being presented. Young people’s risk

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

management is regularly included for discussion in team meetings, and staff will evaluate the current risks and determine whether changes are required.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been a number of incidents where a young person presented as missing from care. Records detail the strategies undertaken by staff to minimise the risks to the young person. These strategies include key-work sessions, incentive programmes, additional activities and restricting the money available to them. In addition, staff now undertake regular searches of known areas, visits to family and friends’ properties, consistent liaison with external professionals, completion of trigger meetings and strategy meetings. Referrals to external agencies such as the ‘Channel Team’ and ‘42 Street’ highlight the staff’s determination to educate young people on the risks of going missing. Importantly, the registered manager, through regular monitoring and review, is now able to identify and show where the home is not meeting the young person’s needs. Consequently, the registered manager now takes suitable action to

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

address these concerns with the local authority in order that a more suitable placement can be secured for the young person.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in April 2017, there have been no complaints, no incidents requiring a physical intervention and no allegations.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, it was identified that not all young people benefited from attendance at a named educational provision. Progress has been made in this area. Young people now attend education on a full-time basis. Attendance has improved significantly. This is because the registered manager has developed an ethos within the home that highlights the significance of education and the expectations of young people living in the home. Staff work consistently with a range of external support teams to help young people build confidence, in order to make a successful transition back into education. The registered manager escalates concerns regarding suitable education provision with the relevant agencies and authorities. A social worker said, ‘We are very pleased with the progress of our young person. He has struggled to attend school for a long time. It is great he is back full time, enjoying it and making new friends.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A review of referrals to the home was undertaken during the inspection. The registered manager explained that the home can receive up to 14 referrals a day, with an expected review time of one hour. The registered manager has now developed a system to help ensure that she has correct and up-to-date information on any referral she feels may be suitable for the home. On occasions, this has resulted in her getting important information which had not been declared on the initial referral form. Some referrals to the home are not appropriate, while some contain little information. Likewise, some referrals require staff to have specific medical training in areas such as epilepsy. The manager said, ‘The organisation will provide training, but only once the young person has become resident. However, I decline these referrals.’ The referral process remains a concern. The organisation must ensure that young people are only placed within services

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 3 where the staff have the knowledge, skill and appropriate training to meet each young person’s needs. A requirement is made to address this matter.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The internal monitoring and the review of the service have been enhanced. In accordance with regulation 45, the registered manager now consults with young people, parents, professionals and external agencies on a regular basis. Likewise, all documentation relevant to the care and protection of young people is regularly reviewed, updated and monitored for effectiveness. A tracker system details the progress that young people make from their initial starting points and also highlights where additional work may be needed. In addition to this, young people, professionals and families complete a questionnaire on the quality of service provided in the home as well as on areas for improvement. The registered manager clearly demonstrates how the home responds to suggestions for improvement, such as televisions for bedrooms, the redecorating of some rooms and specific activities and holidays.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ninety per cent of staff employed within the home are qualified at NVQ level 3. Those who are not qualified at this level are registered on the course and are provided with visits by a qualified NVQ assessor. The young people are supported by a consistent team which, on the whole, has worked in the home for a considerable time. The registered manager has commenced the NVQ level 5 qualification in accordance with regulation 28 ‘fitness of manager’. Although some progress has been made, this qualification is not yet near completion. The registered manager said, ‘I have concentrated on addressing the shortfalls and developing the practice in the home.’ However, because this is the registered manager’s first experience of running a children’s home, this qualification is necessary to further enhance her skills and knowledge.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff have undertaken refresher mandatory training. In addition, the registered manager is in the process of being trained in the theoretical framework of Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE). This provides the baseline for all care planning and risk-management systems within the home. The primary objective is for staff to understand the impact of life-changing events that significantly impact upon a young person, in order to plan unique care packages. It is acknowledged that this is within the early stages. The registered manager said, ‘We are trying to get all the staff to think about care differently. We hope to be able to evidence some more positive changes for our next inspection.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring of the home is improved. The organisation has employed three people to specifically undertake regulation 44 monitoring visits to the home. Visits take place on a monthly basis and reports provide the registered manager with a good overview of how the service is functioning.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the registered manager and staff have made good progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. One requirement is raised at this inspection, relating to the referral process for the home. One recommendation is raised, regarding the outstanding qualification for the registered manager. Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/04/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 04/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

13. (1) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (a) (b) (2) (c)) 13/10/2017

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Recommendations

 All managers working in a children’s home must have the qualification in regulation 28 (2) within the relevant timescales listed in regulation 28 (3). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12) Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 5

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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 differences 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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’.

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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

Maria McGranaghan, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC366851 6 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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