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

Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 1 SC480678 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

The home offers medium- to long-term care for six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a large private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was registered with Ofsted in September 2016.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 10 to 11 December 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: 18 September 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/09/2018 Full Outstanding 19/07/2017 Full Good 28/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/07/2016 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)) 14/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)) 14/02/2020

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people live in a caring and nurturing environment. They receive care that is tailored to meet their individual needs. Most young people are settled and making good progress from their individual starting points. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘This placement has been and continues to be extremely positive for [young person’s name]. He has grown into a more confident, articulate, humorous, motivated and happy young man.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are making very good progress with their education and have gained qualifications. Staff understand the importance of education in securing positive outcomes for young people and have successfully supported all young people to re- engage with mainstream education. Young people are encouraged to aspire to future careers and one young person has been selected for the armed forces. One education professional said, ‘I believe the staff have provided the stability and security which has enabled [young person’s name] to successfully engage in his education.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are being well prepared for adult life. There is a comprehensive transition Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 4 programme in place which supports young people to learn the skills they will need to live independently with confidence. Young people are equipped to prepare meals, budget and travel independently. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘The staff have worked with [young person’s name] on his self-confidence, independence skills and choice of behaviours and this has made a difference. It has been with their guidance and commitment that he has been able to secure an apprenticeship and is looking forward to a bright future.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy a wide range of activities both within the home and in the local community. The staff team encourages them to pursue their hobbies and interests as well as introducing them to new activities such as fishing, gardening and boxing. The staff team has created a warm, family atmosphere within the home and young people enjoy spending time there with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team demonstrates a good understanding of young people’s needs. However, some aspects of care planning could be improved. Some young people’s individual needs are not clearly addressed within their care plans, which means that staff don’t have clear written guidance about the support they require. Furthermore, some care plans contained out-of-date information. These shortfalls could lead to young people receiving inconsistent care. A requirement has been made to improve practice in this area.

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

Young people feel safe at this home and many are in stable, long-term placements. They have formed positive and trusting relationships with the staff team and this contributes to their feelings of security and stability. One young person said, ‘It’s fantastic here. It feels like a normal family home. I have changed a lot since I’ve been here and the staff have really helped me get back on track.’

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

Young people benefit from a consistent and experienced staff team. Staff are skilled in positive behaviour support and, as a result, incidents that require staff to use physical interventions to manage situations are very rare in this home. One social worker said, ‘There is a friendly, professional and approachable staff team and a “homely” ethos which I have not experienced in other homes. Children and young people and visitors alike feel welcome, safe and secure.’

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

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of young people’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. Some young people have recently started engaging more frequently in risk-taking behaviours in the local community. Staff have responded effectively to safeguard them and have developed strategies to reduce risk. However, the quality of written guidance for staff on managing risk was variable. For example, some risk assessments did not include up-to-date information, and guidance for staff about how to manage risks was incomplete. A requirement has been made to address this.

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

Staff use individual key-work sessions as informal learning opportunities to educate young people on the risks of their behaviours. These sessions provide a forum for young people to reflect on their behaviours and the consequences of the choices they are Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 5 making. One social worker said, ‘I am satisfied that [name of young person] is given solid, practical advice and supported to make positive choices. I am impressed by how the team respond to events where the young person doesn’t follow this advice. I believe that the positive relationship they have developed has provided a very important safety zone for this young person.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a suitably experienced and qualified manager in post who has been registered with Ofsted since September 2016. He is well supported by a deputy manager and together they form an effective and visible leadership team. They are committed to providing a high-quality, child-centred service to the young people in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations and ambitions for young people. He demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of their individual needs and the progress they are making. The manager can confidently challenge other professionals and escalates issues appropriately to ensure that young people receive high-quality services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals spoke highly of the manager and are very complimentary about the service. They have confidence in the service to deliver high-quality provision. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘The home is led by a very competent and child- focused manager. The home provides a positive and nurturing environment for the young person I work with.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a comprehensive training programme that equips them with the skills they need to work with vulnerable young people. The management team understands the importance of regular training and development opportunities for staff and prioritises their attendance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings and supervision sessions enable staff to reflect on their practice, share ideas or raise concerns. There are good communication systems in place and staff are kept updated with young people‟s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are motivated and committed to ensuring that young people fulfil their potential. Staff feel valued and supported by the manager and, because of this, there is high staff retention. This provides young people with a high level of consistency and means that young people can develop relationships with staff over time. One member of staff said, „The majority of the staff team have been here a long time and we all have high aspirations for young people and share the same passion to make a difference.‟

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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. Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 6 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: SC480678 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

Sophie Thomson, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC480678 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 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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