Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Cannock Chase

Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 1 SC475323 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and provides therapeutic care, education and accommodation for up to three children who have complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The new manager started in January 2020, and has started the application process with Ofsted to be the home’s next registered manager.

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Inspection date: 28 January 2020

Date of last inspection: 7 November 2018

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Inspection date: 28 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection the home was ‘not judged’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of children living in the home has gradually reduced over the last year. The final child moved out in December 2019. The previous registered manager and most of the staff team have relocated to a new home run by the same provider. The organisation is undertaking some improvements to the home while there are no children living there and a new staff team is recruited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the single requirement following the last inspection. Systems are now in place to ensure that concise records are kept of any allegation made against staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently, the house is not ready for new children to move in. The home is being redecorated and new furniture is being purchased. The interior of the home is welcoming and has a homely feel. However, the exterior of the building would benefit from some attention. The fascia boards are dirty and worn, and the paint on the guttering is cracked and peeling. This is not a good first impression of what could be an attractive and nurturing home for children to live in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is working on staffing arrangements to ensure that there will be sufficient staff to meet children’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor continues to visit the home every month and to produce a report. The visitor does not solicit the opinions of family members as part of this process. Visits have often taken place during school time, so children’s views are not obtained. The manager is often the only member of staff whom the visitor speaks to. This does not provide comprehensive monitoring of the conduct of the home to inform interested parties.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The remaining recommendation from the previous inspection could not be fully assessed during this visit, as all staff files have been moved to the new home. This will be considered at a future inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2018 Full Good 28/02/2018 Full Good 29/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/08/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 4

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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 ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person–

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether–

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44(1), (2)(a)(b), (3), (4)(a)(b), (5) 24/04/2020

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Recommendations

 Staff should provide a nurturing and supportive environment that is homely. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 5

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC475323 6

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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

Ricky D’Arcy, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC475323 7 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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