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

Information about this children’s home

This home is a privately owned children’s home. The home is registered for three young people who have experienced childhood trauma. The home provides medium- and long-term residential placements for children and young people irrespective of gender, aged between eight and 17.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is appropriately qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: 2490729 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Staff promote children’s health needs well. For example, one child now attends health appointments when previously they had been reluctant to do so. Relationships between staff and children are positive. Staff talk to children about their health and this helps children learn how to look after themselves and their well-being.

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The care of children

A child was admitted to the home when the registered manager was on annual leave. The decision-making around this child moving into the home was flawed. Managers did not fully consider whether the staff team had the experience, knowledge and skills to meet the child’s individual needs and whether the child would be appropriately matched alongside those already living in the home. On her return, the registered manager recognised the difficulties and put measures in place to mitigate risk while a more appropriate placement is identified. Although staff are doing their best, the child will need to move so that he can receive the tailored support he needs to help him progress. As a result, this child has not experienced good placement stability.

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The care of children

Some children have access to education and make good progress from their starting points. A teacher reported, ‘As a result of good working relationships between home and school, the child has made good progress academically and socially.’ However, one young person does not access any education or learning. The manager has not supported the young person to receive the results from the exams he took before he came to live at the home. As a result, children’s learning experiences and progress are mixed.

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The care of children

Good staff support helps children to maintain positive relationships. Children were supported to use electronic devices to enable them to communicate with family, friends and professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children interact well with the manager and staff. One child named two members of staff who they talk to if they are worried. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are promoted by staff.

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The safety of children

Managers and staff understand children’s risks well. One staff member reflected on how early childhood experiences have an impact on children’s behaviours. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans provide guidance to staff on how to recognise and manage behaviours. Children do not go missing from home but staff know what to do should this happen. This reduces the potential risk of harm to children.

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The safety of children

Staff support children to make complaints when they are unhappy about any aspect Assurance visit report: 2490729 3 of their care. Complaints are taken seriously by the manager, who ensures that children are kept up to date about the progress of any investigation and its outcome.

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The safety of children

When necessary, staff use physical intervention to prevent children from harming themselves or others. Physical intervention records lack a description of the measure used. This affects the manager’s ability to evaluate the appropriateness of the hold applied. In addition, the effectiveness of this measure of control is not recorded and reviewed. This is a missed opportunity to learn from incidents that happen.

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The safety of children

Children are supported by staff to understand COVID-19 and how to keep themselves safe. One child who uses public transport has a COVID-19 backpack that contains a face mask and hand sanitiser. Staff encourage children to social distance when in the community. This reduces the chance of contracting or spreading the virus.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision. The manager supports staff to reflect on their practice and the progress of children living in the home. Staff members’ individual learning needs are identified by the manager and arrangements are made by the organisation to support staff to achieve their learning goals. Staff feel well supported and morale within the team is good. This creates a positive environment for children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. For example, the manager evaluates the home’s performance monthly and creates an action plan. Team members and senior leaders receive a copy of the report. This enables the team to develop practice and improve children’s experiences.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has used the flexibilities permitted by The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 responsibly. Independent visitors undertook remote visits and accessed the home’s electronic records system during lockdown. Following the easing of restrictions, usual practice has resumed, and the independent visitor comes to the home in person. Good external oversight helps to ensure that children receive appropriate care and support. Assurance visit report: 2490729 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(ix)) 08/11/2020

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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; and 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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(2)(a)) 08/11/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— a description of the measure and its duration; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(vii)) 08/11/2020 Assurance visit report: 2490729 5

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Agata Dokszewicz

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Inspectors

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Jackie Line, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2490729 6 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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Inspectors

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

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