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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC479649 1 SC479649

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Hexagon Care Services 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 one of a number of homes that are operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the actions taken by the provider to meet the compliance notice relating to inadequate leadership and management, which was issued under regulation 13, on 9 February 2018. This was as a result of a ‘declined in effectiveness’ judgement at an interim inspection of the home, on 5 February 2018.

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This monitoring visit

At that inspection inspectors identified a number of concerns. These related to inconsistent staff practice that was resulting in young people being confused about the rules of the home, and poor-quality risk assessments that omitted pertinent issues and did not have sufficient detail regarding preventative strategies for staff to employ. In addition, there was poor-quality record-keeping because new staff were not receiving sufficient support and guidance. There was also a lack of management oversight of practice in the home. Furthermore, there were weaknesses relating to staff recruitment.

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This monitoring visit

Significant improvements were evident at this monitoring visit. The manager has worked hard to implement change, and has received support from senior managers to do so. Although some staffing issues continue to require the attention of the manager, the staff who remain in employment in the home are committed to improving their practice, and have embraced the changes that the manager is implementing. Staff morale is good and the staff are eager and willing to learn. They have good relationships with the young people resident in the home, and want them to do well. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC479649 2 Updates to young people’s risk assessments now ensure that they reflect the needs of the young people living at the home. The risk assessments now include pertinent information regarding young people’s historical behaviours, as well as current risks and recent incidents of concern. Preventative strategies are also clear, ensuring that

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This monitoring visit

staff know how best to approach particular situations. Consequently, staff are responding consistently to young people and there has been a reduction in incidents of concern.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff are working hard to make the setting a more homely environment. Significant improvements have been made over the last month. The home now has a new kitchen and two new bathrooms, and a number of windows have been replaced. In addition, most of the home has been redecorated and young people have new bedroom furniture. Young people are in the process of personalising their bedrooms with bedside lamps and posters of their choice. In addition, the implementation of nurturing routines, such as young people and staff sitting down for meals together, has enhanced the homely feel in the home. Young people are responding well to this. They are respecting and taking pride in their environment. Young people are enjoying the time that they spend in the home, and their time with staff. Furthermore, minutes of young people’s meetings now evidence that staff are listening to young people’s views and taking action as a

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This monitoring visit

result. Consequently, young people are beginning to trust staff and invest in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff feel well supported by the manager. They are receiving regular supervision that focuses on their development and the improvement of practice. In addition, the manager is providing clear direction on the standards of practice and recording that she expects in the home. Consequently, it is evident that since the last inspection improvements have been made in the quality of key-working sessions and in the recording of these sessions. Staff are also completing some positive group work with the young people in order to remind them of the potentially serious consequences of their actions. For example, following an incident where the young people set fire to a mattress outside of the home, staff showed them a video clip of how quickly a house fire can take hold. This helps young people to understand that they need to think things through before making a hasty decision which they may later regret.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has implemented a number of procedures that are designed to improve consistency and to ensure that daily tasks are completed to a high standard. Staff say that these daily task-sheets act as useful reminders which ensure that they do not forget what needs to be done. The manager has also devised weekly and monthly checklist to assist her in monitoring the activities in the home. She has also received peer support from another manager in the organisation, who has helpfully shared practice that works well in his home. The manager acknowledges that she has more to do, but she has made significant progress since the interim inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Young people appear to be responding well to their new routines and clearer boundaries. The manager spoke to them directly about the changes and the reasons Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC479649 3 for these. Although young people initially challenged some of the new systems, such as receiving their pocket money in smaller amounts but more frequently, they now accept that these are part of the routine in the home. Similarly, young people are clear about the rules on smoking in the home and staff now consistently implement the home’s policy. The inspector observed respectful relationships between the young people and the staff, including the manager, during the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Action has also been taken to meet the additional four requirements and one recommendation resulting from the last interim inspection. An updated fire risk assessment has been completed and firefighting equipment has now been placed securely in the correct locations. Significant improvements in the home’s environment have been made, as indicated earlier in this report. Serious incidents, although limited in number, have been notified to Ofsted as required. Although no new staff have been employed since the last inspection, the manager was able to demonstrate sound recruitment decisions relating to potential employees. For example, a good-quality risk assessment now underpins the decision to employ an individual who had an historical police conviction. Staff training is also a clear priority for the manager. Since the last inspection, staff have received training about child sexual exploitation, safeguarding and the role of the key worker. A plan is also in

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This monitoring visit

place for staff to receive training about drug awareness in the near future.

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This monitoring visit

In conclusion, the provider has taken the necessary steps to comply with steps outlined in the compliance notice.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/11/2016 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC479649 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 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: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1, Tustin Court, Riversway, Preston PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Mandy Williams, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC479649 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 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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