Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 1 SC482223

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Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This unannounced monitoring visit was arranged following concerns about anti-social behaviour in the community, emanating from the home. The local borough council issued the home with a community protection warning notice in response to problem behaviour in the community. This monitoring visit did not review the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. These will be reviewed at the home’s next full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Historically, since the time of registration, the home has received complaints from the local community about anti-social behaviour relating to the children living at the home. At the time of the full inspection in October 2017, these issues had decreased significantly. The home’s manager had made a positive impact on the way in which the home was run. She was building positive relationships with the home’s neighbours and in the local community.

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This monitoring visit

In late October 2017, there was an increase in instances of negative behaviour in the community, and this has continued to date. The impact on the local community has, at times, been significant. A neighbour reported their concerns, which included disturbed sleep, general disruption (including overhearing shouting and swearing), food items thrown into a back garden, and items being thrown at the house. Incidents such as these resulted in the borough council issuing a community protection warning notice, closely followed by a community protection notice. As a result, the provider has served notice on one child’s placement in acknowledgement that the placement cannot meet that child’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

Despite careful placement matching, the combination of children in the home has Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 2 not been positive. The most recent admission has had a significant impact on the other children living at the home and has impaired their day-to-day experience and progress. One child’s progress has been significantly affected, with an increase in their substance use and the return of self-injurious behaviour. This child has been subjected to bullying in the home. At times, the child has been living in an environment of fear and intimidation. The child, who was previously settled in placement, has raised their concerns with their placing authority stating that they wish to be moved away from the home. This demonstrates the depth of feeling the child has about their current living situation.

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This monitoring visit

In the main, staff have been able to manage children’s behaviour appropriately. However, there have been incidents when children’s behaviour has become out of the control of staff. On one occasion in December 2017, the police were called to force entry into the home following the children locking staff out. Frequent incidents of shouting, swearing and aggressive behaviour towards staff have led to an atmosphere of tension, and create an uncomfortable living and working environment.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has had concerns about placement matching in the home for several months and has brought these concerns to the provider’s attention. The provider has not been proactive in making timely decisions to end placements when it is apparent that needs are not being met. This has meant that children whose needs are incompatible have been living together for a prolonged period. The provider has not been able to provide a service consistent with the home’s statement of purpose. Overall, despite the hard work and dedication of the manager and staff team, there has been a significant deterioration in the functioning of the home and negative outcomes for the children living there.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/10/2017 Full Good 19/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/05/2016 Full Good 05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans.

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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 the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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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 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.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively 13/04/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 4 planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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.

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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 Honey, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 5 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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