Children's home run by Horizon Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 1 SC068223

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Horizon Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a large, national private provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties .

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 18 and 19 July 2017, the home was judged inadequate. There were significant safeguarding failings identified that meant that children living at the home were at risk of harm. As a result, six requirements were made.

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This monitoring visit

On 6 September 2017, Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit to the home. A large number of failings were identified. This included a lack of effective action taken by managers and staff in response to serious safeguarding concerns. This left children at risk of harm. Furthermore, the registered manager and staff had failed to identify, minimise and manage all known risks to children. The lack of robust safeguarding practice compromised children’s welfare and safety. A further inadequate judgement was made.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, nine requirements were made. Two of the requirements are subject to compliance notices. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit to the home on 25 September 2017 to monitor compliance with the two compliance notices issued following the last inspection. The monitoring visit found that there are no children living at the home. However, the provider had taken action to address the compliance notices and provided evidence to substantiate the action taken.

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This monitoring visit

The provider commissioned an independent person to complete a detailed overview of the home, the paperwork and staff practice. The outcome of the report has been used to improve practice in the home. In addition, the provider compiled a detailed action plan to identify immediate practice issues and areas of improvement. The Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 2 responsible individual used the plan as a way of assessing the progress in the home and provided a copy to Ofsted. Furthermore, the provider has completed an internal investigation on the failings identified during the inspection process. During this time, the registered manager has not been in work. However, the responsible individual and a newly assigned regional manager have continued to monitor and support the home. Together, they are delivering training, coaching and modelling of effective childcare practice. They are using reflective individual supervision and team

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This monitoring visit

meetings to challenge and support staff to improve. They demonstrate skill in positive and proactive approaches to building warm and nurturing relationships.

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This monitoring visit

A compliance notice was made under regulation 12, the protection of children standard. The compliance notice required the registered manager to take steps to assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans and, if necessary, to make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. The provider has commissioned a company to design a new internal computer program. This will provide a clear audit trail of all records compiled in the home. The registered manager will sign off all documentation and escalate all safeguarding concerns immediately to senior managers. This will ensure that managers and staff have taken appropriate action and that there are no delays in the reporting of safeguarding concerns. Furthermore, it will ensure that Ofsted receives notifications in a timely manner.

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This monitoring visit

Hard copies of all documents, including placement plans, risk assessments, health care plans and key-work sessions, are now in place. Discussions have taken place with all staff in team meetings and supervision sessions about the documentation in the home and the company’s policies and procedures. This will ensure that all staff understand the recording systems and the detail they are required to include in all documentation.

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This monitoring visit

Impact assessments now include an evaluation of the impact of any new admissions on the existing group of children, considering age, individual risk factors and the staff’s ability to manage the range of needs of the children at the home. The inspector viewed risk assessment documentation that clearly identifies the known and potential risks for children and the level of support and action that staff are required to take to minimise risk. However, as there are no children living at the home, the documents are examples of what the registered manager will implement when children move into the home. At the next inspection, the effectiveness of documentation in practice will be monitored.

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This monitoring visit

In addition, there was evidence of the steps taken to ensure that staff have the skills to identify and act on signs that a child is at risk of harm, sharing information with social workers and key professionals relevant to children to suitably inform practice and decision-making. All staff have received refresher training in safeguarding, child sexual exploitation and drug and alcohol misuse. Clear guidance was available to staff on their roles and responsibilities in protecting and supporting children. Alongside training sessions, managers have asked individual staff members scenario- Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 3 based questions around potential safeguarding concerns, including missing-from- care procedures and allegations against the manager and staff. It was clear from minutes of individual supervision sessions and team meetings viewed by the inspector that these discussions had taken place. This has enabled the provider to

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This monitoring visit

demonstrate that staff have an up-to-date knowledge of the policies and procedures in place and their role in safeguarding children.

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This monitoring visit

There are now clear procedures with step-by-step guides for staff to follow when young people are missing from care, or if there are concerns that they may be at risk of child sexual exploitation. This demonstrates that staff have a clear guide to follow if issues become evident. They are also aware of their responsibilities in reporting any concerns. All staff had signed the documentation to say that they were aware of what action to take during incidents of children going missing from care and child sexual exploitation.

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This monitoring visit

A compliance notice was made under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. Since the last inspection, the provider has updated the statement of purpose. It now includes a full staffing list. Furthermore, during the inspection, minutes of staff meetings demonstrated that the document has been shared and discussed with all staff. This will ensure that they have a clear understanding of the ethos and vision for the home.

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This monitoring visit

A full debrief has taken place with staff about the safeguarding incident that took place in August 2017. The provider has used the incident as an opportunity to reflect on practice and identify all lessons learned. Staff had commented that they found this a useful exercise and have had time to reflect on the incident and understand what they should do differently when there are concerns about a child’s safety. The provider had also identified how the monitoring arrangements that were in place were not robust and had failed to identify and minimise all potential risks. As a result, the provider has introduced a more robust monitoring system with additional safeguards in place to ensure that the safety and welfare of children are paramount.

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This monitoring visit

A full refurbishment of the property has taken place to a very good standard. All of the children’s bedrooms have been re-carpeted and decorated and all have new furniture. The living room areas are clean and inviting and have books, games and a computer for children to use. Daily checks ensure that an acceptable standard of cleanliness is maintained. This ensures that the children live in a safe, comfortable clean home.

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This monitoring visit

No further enforcement action is planned. However, a further inspection will take place to review how these improvements are embedded in the home’s practices and to ensure that the service’s ongoing development is sustained. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 4

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/09/2017 Full Inadequate 18/07/2017 Full Inadequate 15/03/2017 Full Good 06/07/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 5

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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, the 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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff – (b) seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs; (c) consider a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5(b)(c)) 01/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered provider must ensure that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14(2)(c)) 01/12/2017

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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. (Regulation 16(1)) 01/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the missing child policy’) setting out the steps taken, and to be taken, to prevent children from being absent without permission; and the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent. (Regulation 34(1)(a)(b)) 01/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

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; the details of the behaviour leading up to the use of the measure; the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and the consequences of the measure. That within 5 days of the use of the measure the registered person or other authorised 01/12/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 6 person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(ii)(vi)(vii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) 01/12/2017

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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. 01/12/2017

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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)) 01/12/2017

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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: SC068223 7

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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

Sarah Billett, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068223 8 to achieve excellence in the care of children and children, 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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