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

Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 1 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 four-bedded home aims to provide a supportive environment where children are valued as individuals and receive consistent stable structures and boundaries that enable them to develop. The manager registered in August 2016 and possesses the required level 5 qualification.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 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 the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team continues to work tirelessly to ensure that children are engaged in education and making good progress. Staff work closely with schools, colleges and other professionals to advocate for children to ensure that children receive the necessary educational and/or medical assessments. This ensures that children receive any additional support they require. The modification of timetables and approaches used has successfully prevented permanent exclusions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and staff have been through a difficult period. Children displayed high levels of challenging and self-harmful behaviour. Staff creatively used their relationships and understanding of the children to meet their individual needs and manage situations. This included having frank and open conversations with them about their risk-taking behaviour. A child discussed the turbulent time in the house and said, ‘The staff have been amazing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical interventions spiked during this period. This was because children were mirroring each other’s negative behaviours. This has now ceased, and interventions have returned to happening infrequently. Some of the significant behaviours meant that staff had to ensure the safety of children and staff by making temporary alternative arrangements. These were effective and safeguarded everyone.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents are followed by debriefs, key-work sessions and possibly mediation meetings. There are excellent examples of children speaking honestly with each other about their worries and concerns for themselves and each other. Their ability to do this demonstrates that they trust staff to manage the discussions and the emotions that arise from the conversations. The manager proactively reminds children about the complaints process to ensure that children continue to be aware of how to utilise this if required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children have moved in and three children have moved out since the last inspection. Two children moved to specialist placements and another moved to a bridging placement due to safeguarding issues. These moves have been managed well. This includes the positive way that an unplanned ending was sensitively managed. This ensured that the child moved on in a positive way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both children have regular family contact. A family member spoke positively about how his grandson has been welcomed and how quickly he has settled in. He spoke highly about the staff and how they keep him included and updated. Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 3 Children are encouraged and supported to prepare for independence and plan for their futures. This is achieved through having clear plans in place to prepare children for their next move or their transition to adult provisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is keen to upskill the staff and remains ambitious for them and the children. This approach has enabled a senior staff member to take on the interim manager position while the manager undertakes a temporary role within the organisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Team meetings are used to discuss the children, training and any relevant topics. These include suggested television programmes that reflect children’s experiences and the work of the team and children. These discussions are used to improve staff knowledge and practice. Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2019 Full Good 01/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/06/2017 Full Good 31/01/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 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: 1235654 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

Sonia Hay, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1235654 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 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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