Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 1 SC481152 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a private company.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in July 2014.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2017 Full Outstanding 18/01/2017 Full Outstanding 04/08/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/02/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 3

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Recommendations

 Ensure that records kept in the children’s home are signed and dated by the author. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people receive exceptional care that is making a positive difference in their lives. A multi-agency approach, which includes social workers, psychologists and therapists, means that young people receive a tailored care package that is specific to their individual needs. Consequently, their life chances and opportunities are significantly improved. In addition to this, the young people can reflect on their past and acknowledge the steps that they have taken. One young person said, ‘I have come so far. I am really proud of myself.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people and professionals believe that the manager and staff give care that exceeds expectations. Several of the young people have lived here for several years and regard this home as their home. There have been two new admissions since the home’s last inspection in June 2017. The manager was meticulous in ensuring that he had all the necessary information to make an informed decision on whether the staff could meet the young person’s needs. On one occasion the manager did not take the young person until he had the requested information back from a social worker. The manager scrutinises the behaviours of the other young people to ensure compatibility with the group. In addition to this, he uses the safer area report to make sure that the young people are going to live in an area safe for them. When the young people have lived at the home for a period, the manager reflects on his decision to offer a place so that he

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

can learn or make changes to the referral process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are highly nurturing and work to a therapeutic model. The emphasis is on supporting and encouraging young people to move forward positively while learning from past mistakes. The high levels of therapeutic support provide young people with a very strong platform that is supporting them to overcome their past difficulties, to develop a positive self-view and to increase their emotional resilience. Staff are trained in the therapeutic model, and the multi-agency team meets every six weeks to discuss and evaluate each young person’s progress and the strategies used in order to help them to move forward.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people enjoy having the opportunity to share their views, wishes and feelings, and they do this through regular key-working sessions, house meetings and commenting on the records that the home keeps that are relevant to them. Young people are encouraged to put their ideas and suggestions forward. For example, one young person suggested a ballot box for agenda items for the house meeting. He thought that this Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 4 would help the less-confident young people to have their say. This has been successful.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The young people attend the company’s on-site school. The school is currently rated as outstanding by Ofsted. Prior to moving to this home, several young people had poor or sporadic attendance at school. Now all young people have 100% attendance, and they are working to their targets and making significant progress. Two young people gained good exam results that enabled them to get on their chosen courses at college. One young person completed a social media course while waiting for his college course in performing arts and music. He enjoyed this so much that he is doing the extended version of the social media course alongside his main college course. Another young person is attending college to do animal welfare. He said, ‘I don’t know what I want to do as a career, but something to do with animals. College has given me so many opportunities, and I have made some great friends.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people work towards a set programme to be able to access the community safely. Each milestone is discussed within the multi-agency meetings and further steps are agreed. For example, each young person starts on a mobility programme under staff supervision. They can then move forward to long-arm supervision, to free time unsupervised and spot checks. Social integration is an important part of the young people’s development, and staff find groups or activities that young people are interested in. Some young people are in football and basketball teams, and all the young people attend the gym as part of their healthy lifestyle plans. Further to this, young people enjoy going to the cinema, theme parks, paintballing and walking. As a result, young people are gaining confidence in interacting positively with others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people have excellent opportunities to try new experiences. For example, the young people have recently enjoyed travelling on a plane. In preparing for the trip, a member of staff said, ‘This included young people researching about where we were going, choosing the activities available and looking at how to get there. Once it was decided that we were going to fly, we found out all the relevant information about how you fly, what identification you need and what happens at the airport.’ As a result, the trip went well, and a young person said, ‘It was fantastic, and I want to fly further next time.’ In addition to this, young people have done charity work for the homeless and Sports Relief. A therapy dog visits the home once a month, and young people are keen to do more with animals. Therefore, the staff have contacted a local dogs home, so that young people can be more involved in caring for and looking after the dogs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people are being exceptionally well prepared for becoming more independent. They are routinely involved in shopping, cooking meals and doing their laundry. Young people take pride in their home and display artwork, photographs and mementoes throughout the home. This gives them a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Transition planning starts early, and this means that young people are prepared well for moving into adult life. One young person has moved into an adjoining semi- independence flat in preparation for moving into college accommodation later in the year. Staff have worked closely with the college and young person to make sure that any issues are resolved quickly. There is a plan for each stage, including visits and overnight Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 5 stays, and the staff will give extra support if needed. Other young people have moved on successfully due to the excellent transition plans.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people said that they feel safe and are safe here. This is because staff have an excellent understanding of the home’s child protection and safeguarding procedures. This understanding and awareness allows staff to act quickly and effectively on any emerging concerns, such as disclosures made by young people. Comprehensive records are maintained and monitored regarding all aspects of safety and protection. These include detailed individual risk assessments. This means that any issues are quickly identified and rectified, while still allowing young people to take safe, appropriate risks. For example, they have free time in the local community.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people do not go missing from this home. This is because there is a high level of supervision and plenty of individual work is undertaken with young people about the risks and consequences of being reported as missing from the home. Similarly, physical intervention has not been used since June 2016. Staff’s innate understanding of the young people means that they quickly identify when young people are feeling upset or angry. Staff equip young people with strategies to help them to self-regulate their emotions. Therapists also work with young people to help them to express themselves more appropriately, and these approaches are shared with the staff team so that young people receive consistent messages and guidance.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff receive a high level of training in numerous safeguarding topics. Therefore, they can recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and risks relating to harmful sexualised behaviour, criminality and child sexual exploitation. Four members of staff have recently completed training on ‘county lines’. They cascaded this training down to other members of staff at a staff meeting. The manager said that this raised some thought-provoking conversation, and has now requested that all staff undertake this training.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Young people’s behaviour is usually excellent and has significantly improved over time. Young people say that they all get on well together and there is no bullying. One young person said, ‘It is like a family home. We squabble sometimes, but it never gets to the point of fighting.’ He continued, ‘Staff are great and show that they really care for us. I never feel that it is just a job to them.’ Another young person said, ‘There are lots of rules and boundaries, but with such a large house you need them. Staff are great, kind and considerate, and they are there when you need them.’ When young people’s behaviour is below par, they receive a consequence or an opportunity to make amends. For example, one young person broke an ornament in anger and replaced it out of his own money. Another young person wrote a letter of apology when he was rude to a member of staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

The home is maintained well and provides a warm, homely environment which effectively meets the young people’s individual needs. Young people have en suite bathrooms, and their bedrooms are decorated to their personal tastes. This approach reflects the uniqueness of the young person. Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 6

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an inspirational and dynamic leader. He is very experienced in caring for young people, and has a leadership and management qualification. A committed and enthusiastic deputy and several team leaders support him. This strong management structure works well to promote and deliver excellent outcomes for young people. The enthusiasm of the management team is cascaded to all staff, who are equally dedicated to improving the outcomes for young people. A member of staff said, ‘We want each young person to have the best opportunities possible so that they can become anything they want.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

An experienced, stable and committed staff team cares for young people. All the staff have worked at the home for a significant period. They work well together, and this provides young people with continuity of care. The home currently has two staff vacancies that are being covered internally in the company. A recruitment drive has identified one new member of staff, and they are taking up their post soon. The manager said that recruitment has been difficult because they are looking for qualified and dynamic people who will bring an extra dimension to the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager provides staff with regular and effective supervision. Staff said that this is a supportive process in which they can express their views and reflect on their practice. This is in addition to monthly staff meetings and the team therapy sessions. Most of the staff hold a relevant childcare qualification and some are working towards this qualification. As a result, staff said that they feel very well supported, valued and highly motivated to do their very best.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive a broad range of high-quality training courses to enhance their skills, knowledge and practice. This training helps them to understand the young people’s individual needs and to have an informed way of working that is underpinned by research.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have established excellent working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in young people’s care. Staff work closely with the school, colleges, health professionals and leading child protection officers. This positive working relationship ensures that young people receive the services that they require. In addition to this, the manager challenges professionals effectively when services are poor. For example, one young person had seven social workers in five years and then was allocated several agency social workers. The manager and staff challenged this inconsistency and the disruption for the young person. This led to the appointment of a permanent, experienced social worker with whom the young person now has a good relationship. Another young person was not happy that there was not a plan for him to move forward. The deputy manager enlisted his advocate to help him to challenge the

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

local authority. The young person now has a clear transition plan and is moving forward with his life. Monitoring of the home is excellent. Shortfalls are identified quickly and rectified. In addition to this, the independent visitor consults with the young people, their parents (if Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 7 appropriate) and professionals regularly about the care that young people receive. For example, he contacted a young person after he had left the home to ask about his time at the home. The young person’s feedback to him was very positive. It included comments such as ‘It is a good place to live’ and ‘I was offered help with my studies, and I loved going to the cinema and bowling.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s internal monitoring looks at ways to improve or develop the service. For example, the home has used an outside agency for undertaking therapy with young people. It is now moving towards having psychologists employed by the company who will be based at the home. The manager said that this had been successful in the company’s other homes and that it was something that he had been striving for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Record keeping is detailed, and the individual young person’s journey is reflected within these records. However, some documentation is not signed or dated by the author. This is a recording issue and does not affect the excellent care provided. Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 8

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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 difference 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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 9

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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, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC481152 10 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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