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 with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this unannounced visit was to monitor the progress made since the last monitoring visit in February 2018. The visit in February 2018 was instigated following reports of antisocial behaviour in the community, emanating from the home. The local borough council issued the home with a community protection notice in February 2018, and this remains in place.

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This monitoring visit

Following the February 2018 visit, Ofsted issued a restriction of accommodation notice meaning that new young people could not be admitted to the home. Four requirements were made at that visit. Three of these requirements are met at this visit. One requirement is not met and is re-issued.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home permanently. Another young person has started their transition from the home and will leave permanently in the next few weeks. One young person remains living at the home. A social worker commented that she was ‘very impressed with [the] placement’.

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This monitoring visit

Young people’s behaviour has improved significantly since the last monitoring visit. Despite this, a period of unsettled behaviour at the end of March 2018 led to significant disruption in the home and had a negative impact on the local community. This included jars of food being thrown into a neighbour’s garden, hitting their property. The young person concerned was not being supervised appropriately by staff at the time. Members of staff have attempted to manage these difficult situations, but have not always been able to maintain control. More worryingly, staff were not following agreed plans regarding supervision at the time of the most recent incident. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 2 The manager has already identified areas for improvement, such as the need for better behaviour management and the need to promote a positive environment. The manager is aware that staff need training to equip them with behaviour

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This monitoring visit

management skills. Members of staff can struggle to manage young people’s behaviour when the manager is not present in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The registered provider is considering its options in relation to the sustainability of the home. The provider, manager and responsible individual have taken the opportunity to reflect on the last six months and have considered what needs to change to help to prevent a deterioration in the home’s functioning again. As a result, there is a new strategy in place to fully consider the appropriateness of new referrals. A new early warning system is in place to help managers and senior managers identify if a placement is at risk of instability at an earlier stage. These measures are designed to help new placements to be more successful and to ensure that the home is providing a service more consistent with its statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

The car owned and used by the home to transport young people and staff has offensive graffiti scratched into the paintwork. This detracts from the high standards the manager is trying to achieve at the home and has a negative effect on the local community.

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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. (Regulation 11(2)(a)(i)) 08/06/2018

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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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This is with reference to the failure of staff to manage children’s behaviour effectively and the subsequent effect on the community. 08/06/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 4 The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the location risk assessment needs to accurately reflect the home’s place in the community. This includes the continued appropriateness and suitability of the home’s location in light of the escalation of concerns in the neighbourhood. Consultation with relevant persons also needs to be more robust. 08/06/2018

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Recommendations

 Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)  In particular, ensure that graffiti is removed from the home’s car.

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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: SC482223 5

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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 regulatory inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482223 6 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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