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

Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 1 SC063759 Registered provider: Horizon Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous applicant for manager registration withdrew their application in September 2019. There is no registered manager currently at the property.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 25 to 26 February 2020

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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 requires improvement to be 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/08/2018 Full Outstanding 22/08/2017 Full Good 09/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/05/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most young people are settled in their home and have good relationships with staff. Young people have made progress since living in the home. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘[Name of young person] is much more settled and able to articulate his feelings better. [Name of home] has given him stability. He has expressed his wish to stay and we are listening to him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have invested in personalising their bedrooms. Photographs have been put up around the house that make it feel homely. Some maintenance has already taken place to improve the home, and more is planned. One young person recently celebrated her sixteenth birthday. Photographs were taken to help her remember her special day. She told inspectors, ‘I was spoilt as always. I had a party, cake and loads of balloons.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Due to different circumstances, not all young people are attending full-time education. The team has requested tutors who now work with young people, while appropriate schools are identified. Managers have escalated the need for necessary assessments to take place, so that young people can attend school again as soon as possible. Staff have implemented rewards for young people who engage in their educational plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people engage in a number of activities, including swimming and trampolining. One young person attends a farm regularly, to help with the animal care. This has helped her regulate her emotions and build a further network of friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people take part in meetings and express their wishes and feelings. However, there has not always been a clear response recorded in relation to their requests, consequently young people have questioned the purpose of these meetings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person has had additional sensory needs identified. The team is currently working with psychologists to ensure that the young person’s needs are fully understood. The young person has not displayed the violent behaviour in the home that he did before being placed. Staff are working hard to try and build relationships with him and are using research-based practice to improve the way that they communicate with him.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s health needs are being met. When there has been reluctance by young people to attend appointments or take medication, staff have consistently supported them. By rebooking appointments and going with young people, the team’s persistence has paid off and young people have attended their medical consultations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people learn independence skills during their placement. The manager is keen to implement a programme of life skill training in an inclusive manner, which is Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 4 sensitive to young people’s emotional needs. As a result of work carried out with one young person, she is now able to cook and to tidy her bedroom, and is very welcoming and hospitable to visitors. She is not feeling isolated and is enjoying learning new skills, at her own pace.

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improvement to be good

Young people live in an area with low reported levels of crime. A clear risk assessment has been completed to review any risks presented by the area in which young people live. There are a number of local services in the area, which meet the needs of young people. Staff are recruited safely and are experienced and qualified.

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improvement to be good

One young person moved into the home very quickly. He was not given a clear induction to the home. There is also a lack of evidence of direct work carried out with him in the first few weeks to help him settle in. Consequently, it is not clear that he understands the home’s expectations or who he can go to if he is unhappy.

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improvement to be good

Staff have supported young people with a history of running away from home, and as a result they no longer choose to do so. Young people choose to spend time with staff and friends. Consequently, they are at less risk of exploitation and are building up appropriate relationships.

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improvement to be good

When complaints or allegations have been made, staff have recorded and reported them appropriately. Young people are given a written response to the complaint. However, on one occasion, a young person made a further allegation during an investigation. Managers did not explore this appropriately or report it to the relevant agencies.

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improvement to be good

Incidents of violence and the required use of physical restraint are rare. Reflective debriefs are carried out that help young people to think about their choices. Staff have implemented incentive plans to help young people achieve small goals on a daily basis. One young person can become frustrated; however, she is able to calm much quicker now than previously. She also then takes responsibility and apologises for her actions.

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improvement to be good

Due to a combination of different needs of young people living in the home, there have been occasions when bullying has taken place. Staff have recorded these incidents and challenged young people appropriately. Staff are working to help young people understand each other more. However, staff need to record the follow- up work that is completed with all young people involved, to show the support they are giving to each of them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, there have been changes in managers, the responsible individual and the area director. The previous applicant for manager registration Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 5 withdrew their application in September 2019. There is no registered manager currently at the property.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

However, a consistent core team has remained committed to the home. As a result, there has been minimal impact on the young people from the changes in management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The newly recruited manager is qualified. Staff have said that they feel supported. It is clear that positive changes are already being implemented. Staff have not received regular supervision, which limits their opportunity to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team is beginning to implement more therapeutic care, tailored to the needs of individual young people. Meetings have taken place with clinicians and professionals from placing authorities, to look at the underlying needs of the young people. This information is being used to inform the staff how they need to care for each young person on a day-to-day basis. As a result, communication is improving and incidents are reducing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has consistently escalated the need for assessments and meetings to take place, particularly in relation to education. One independent reviewing officer said that, ‘Despite there being limited provision in the area to meet the young person’s needs, the team have done all they can do to assist in finding [name of young person] an appropriate school.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 6

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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— take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(vi)(vii)) With particular reference to referring all allegations from children to the relevant agencies. 01/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that arrangements are in place to— ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. (Regulation 14(1)(b)(2)(b)(i)) 01/04/2020

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. Professionally qualified staff employed by the home, e.g. teachers or social workers, should be provided with relevant professional or clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 7 the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 Staff should understand what they must do to prevent bullying of children by other children or adults. Staff should be able to recognise and address different types of abuse such as peer abuse, cyber-bullying and bullying in day to day relationships in the home. Registered persons must ensure that procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying are in place and staff have the skills required to intervene, protect and address bullying behaviours effectively. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.16). In particular, ensure that there is a record of the direct work that is carried out with young people after any bullying has taken place.

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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: SC063759 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Venture House, 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspectors

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Michelle Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC063759 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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