Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 1 SC480847 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home. In October 2018, a variation request was approved. The home is now registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have learning disabilities. The home’s manager has been registered since 2018. He is experienced and knowledgeable, and understands the needs of children and young people who have autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 24 to 25 September 2019

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 19 February 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2019 Full Good 04/05/2017 Full Outstanding 22/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/07/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 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 registered person must co-operate with the child’s placing authority in agreeing and signing the child’s placement plan. (Regulation 17 (2)) 22/11/2019

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Recommendation

 In some instances, a child may express wishes that are not always in their best interests or which may conflict with the views of other children in the home. In such circumstances, the responsible adults will have to balance the wishes of the child against what they judge to be in the best interests of the child and reach a reasonable view about the best way forward in the interests of all. The reasons for reaching any decision will need to be carefully explained to and understood by the child or children concerned. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.9). This is with particular reference to gaining the wishes and feelings of all children about family contact taking place in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making significant progress. They are becoming more independent; for example, they are learning how to prepare a meal, get a snack and use public transport. The children are managing their daily personal care, in some cases without support. This is a result of the staff’s consistent encouragement and the implementation of routines. The children now take pride in their appearance, and this is having a positive impact on their confidence and self-esteem. A carer said, ‘I cannot believe the difference in [Child’s name]. When he left us he would not give you eye contact or engage in conversation; now he is laughing and joking. We are so proud of how far he has come in such a short period of time.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are gaining new experiences. Irrespective of the complexities and challenges they face, the staff ensure that the children explore the world that they live Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 4 in. The children have been camping, visited theme parks and gone fishing, and they all love swimming, in particular going down the water slides. The children’s enjoyment during activities is captured through photographs. These provide them with an aide- memoire.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are committed to their learning. Although each child’s educational needs and abilities vary, most of the children are making progress and meeting their outcomes. One child aspires to go to college and then to university. The staff reinforce their aspirations through positive messages.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are healthy. The staff promote and encourage regular exercise and a varied and balanced diet. This includes children trying new foods. This is huge progress for one child whose diet was very limited when he first moved into the home. A review of children’s medication means that two children no longer need to take their prescribed medication, giving them more flexibility in their daily routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is great consideration given to the impact of children moving into the home. The children already living in the home are consulted and steps are taken to reduce their anxieties. This includes putting the new child’s name on their bedroom door to enable the existing children to become familiar with change. Planned visits to the home enable the children to meet each other before the actual move. These steps enable the children to raise their curiosities and discuss any concerns with staff. The children all have different social and communication needs but they interact well together and enjoy group activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff work with children’s families and relevant professionals so that the children can safely spend time with the important people in their lives. One child’s relationship with his brother has significantly improved, and they now enjoy each other’s company after a period of not speaking to each other for two years. However, when plans are implemented for some children to see their families at the home, the other children have not always been consulted about the impact of this arrangement on them.

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

The children are safe. There are no incidents of the children going missing or any misuse of alcohol, drugs or tobacco. The staff support the children to take positive risks that enhance their lives and experiences. For example, one child’s free time has been reassessed, and this means that they can spend time in the community with friends.

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

The children trust the staff and accept their guidance and support. The staff know the children and understand their needs well. This enables staff to use de-escalation strategies consistently to address behavioural problems and reinforce positive behaviours. As a result of the staff practice, the children are learning to manage and understand their own emotions and behaviours. For one child, their use of racially abusive and offensive language has notably reduced.

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

High levels of supervision maintain the children’s safety. Some of the children have Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 5 access to social media, and the staff provide them with education about the potential risks. Safeguarding concerns relating to children’s safety online are quickly addressed and reported to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The passionate manager ensures that the care given to the children is of a high standard. He manages the careful balance of being actively involved in the children’s lives while maintaining a good oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the home’s strengths, and the required developments to further progress the home. The staff have been on a journey, adapting and developing their knowledge and care practices to meet the needs of children who have learning disabilities. The stable staff team delivers consistent care. The manager is committed to his own development, and that of the team, through training which is relevant to the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Any concerns or allegations relating to staff practice are responded to immediately. All allegations are taken seriously. Clear and transparent records evidence the depth of investigations. This practice enables the manager to further support and safeguard the children and staff through clear action-planning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is a strength. The manager keeps in regular contact with professionals and family members, ensuring that everyone is aware of the children’s achievements. However, despite these good working relationships, two of the children’s records were missing a signed placement plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team advocates for the children and appropriately challenges professionals when decisions are not aligned with children’s needs. The children are confident that their voice is heard, and this is resulting in one child developing their confidence at expressing their opinion.

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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 differences 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 Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 6 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: SC480847 7

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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: 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton-On-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Jennifer Fenlon, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC480847 8 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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