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

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural problems.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted in March 2019 and has the required qualifications.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

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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. 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: 2509452 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

The children and staff enjoy strong and trusting relationships. Children benefit from consistent boundaries and a staff team that is committed to their care. Staff demonstrated their commitment to children by spending longer periods at the home during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that children were only cared for by staff they knew. A social worker told the inspector that this helped to relieve children’s anxieties during a difficult period. Another social worker said, ‘I feel sure that [child’s name] life has been positively shaped… and he will remember this time as a positive period of his childhood’.

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The care of children

Children continue to keep in touch with their families and friends. Staff have ensured that children have access to technology so that communication can continue during times of lockdown and social distancing.

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The care of children

Children were supported by staff who promoted their education, which encouraged the children to continue with their studies during periods when education provisions were closed. One child continues to be disengaged from education and training. The manager and staff have listened to the child and arranged a private training course for her in a subject she is interested in. This has increased her motivation.

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The care of children

Children told the inspector that staff have helped them to understand the COVID-19 pandemic and how they can stay safe and healthy. Despite restrictions in place, children have continued to engage in activities with staff and have fun, including barbeques, dance-offs and playing games.

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The care of children

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are routinely gathered with regular key-work sessions and children’s meetings. This helps children feel listened to and actively involved in plans for their care and the home. One child is having life-story work. The social worker for the child told the inspector that staff at the home have been supportive in helping the child understand their past. The children would benefit if staff received specialist training in life-story work to increase their understanding of the process. The manager and social worker are going to work collaboratively to provide this.

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The safety of children

Risk-taking behaviour and incidents in the home have reduced. Staff provide clear boundaries and understand strategies to keep children safe. This was confirmed by a child’s social worker.

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The safety of children

During lockdown any breaches of government guidance were managed by staff proportionately and safely to reduce risk to children and staff in the home. Assurance visit report: 2509452 3 One child has been at risk as a result of their use of social media. Staff took action to share concerns with other agencies and provided a coordinated and planned approach to manage the risk. This includes seeking specialist support to help the child understand risks. The child was able to explain to the inspector that they understand what actions staff take and how these are to keep her safe.

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The safety of children

Staff have continued to undertake online training relevant to their role, including in areas such as self-harm, infection control and managing depression.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is appropriately skilled and qualified and has been the manager of this home for several years. She is supported by a committed and stable staff team. The manager understands her responsibilities and reacts swiftly to concerns and takes appropriate actions. One social worker said that the manager ‘role models strong but nurturing practice to the staff team’ which children respond positively to.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings. Staff feel supported in their roles, and able to speak to the manager at any time. One member of staff said, ‘She is always there for us if we need her.’

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Leaders and managers

External monitoring is thorough and identifies areas for improvement and feedback to support the service to develop. The manager uses this feedback to develop monitoring systems and improve the care for children.

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Recommendations

 The importance of understanding who we are and where we come from is recognised in good social work practice, for example through undertaking life- story work or other direct work. Staff in children’s homes should play a full role in work of this kind. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 13.4) In particular, ensure that staff have the training and skills to support children during life-story work. Assurance visit report: 2509452 4

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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, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Jessica Forshaw, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2509452 5 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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