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

Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 1 SC479649 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and who are experiencing a period of crisis. The home offers short-term placements, often when young people are in crisis. Young people live in a single occupancy home in the community. The service has five properties and one caravan, all linked to one central registered hub home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home changed its function and re-registered with Ofsted on 27 May 2019. The manager has been registered since 17 May 2016.

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 19 November 2019

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2019 Full Good 28/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 3

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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

There have been a number of improvements since the required improvement judgement was made of the home in May 2018. The home re-registered as a short- term placement, and a new manager and staffing team were appointed. The inspection in November 2019 rated the home good, at what was the first inspection for this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are making good progress at this home. One social worker said: ‘[Name] has made excellent progress; all risk taking, and absconding behaviour has reduced to zero.’ Children are settled and happy, and they are having positive experiences. One child went to a gym every day, and staff took him to football training in a city, some 60 miles from the home. Through the child’s skill and resilience and through staff support he was signed by a professional football team, where it is hoped he will make a career. This was an excellent experience that staff recounted in great detail and with a lot of pleasure and pride.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children relate well to the staff and enjoy having individual attention. Staff work with the children on providing positive experiences, often to break the cycle of being involved in crime and drugs. Due to their short time in the home, often around 28 days, children do not receive education. However, some children complete short online courses and have received certificates for the work they have completed. The manager has recently purchased some visuals boards with information concerning drugs, which a staff member is then going to present to children through a key- worker session.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children move in and leave the home continually. Often when children arrive into the home it is at a time of crisis, and there is often little notice of their arrival. The process for children leaving the home is managed in a very planned way, and one social worker was very complimentary about the efforts that the manager and staff have made to make this transition successful.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are not engaging in risk-taking behaviour, such as going missing or misusing drugs or alcohol. Incidents of challenging behaviour are decreasing as children respond to the nurturing, consistent care. Incidents are monitored and evaluated so that the staff can learn and amend future responses if necessary. Complaints are taken seriously, and each child receives a written response to any issues raised. Allegations against staff have been responded to appropriately, and there is good liaison with the designated officer for the local authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and provided to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector and this clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the home. Overall, the Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 4 arrangements for monitoring the home against its Statement of Purpose are driving improvement. Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 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: SC479649 6

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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 PR2 2YQ

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Children’s home details

Inspector: Elaine Clare, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC479649 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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Children’s home details

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Children’s home details

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Children’s home details

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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