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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1185765 1

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Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a large private organisation. The home is registered to accommodate four children who have experienced trauma and have difficulties associated with this experience. There are currently two children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Following an assurance visit on 14 September 2020, which raised concerns about leadership and management and poor matching and risk assessments of children, Ofsted took enforcement action. The provider has acted to address the identified shortfalls and the notice restricting accommodation has been lifted following this visit.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in place while a permanent manager is recruited.

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This monitoring visit

This was the second monitoring visit following an assurance visit in September 2020 during which Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns. The purpose of the monitoring visit was to review progress made against the four requirements made as a result of these concerns and to consider whether the notice restricting accommodation should remain in place.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has taken appropriate action to address the serious and widespread concerns that led to three of the four requirements and these are now met.

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This monitoring visit

Staff effectively manage incidents between children. They rarely use physical intervention to keep children safe. However, when staff do use physical intervention, it is proportionate and effective. Leaders debrief children and staff after an incident, which helps them to reflect on and repair relationships. The interim manager seeks clinical support when necessary and this helps her direct Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1185765 2 staff to use strategies that reduce the likelihood of further incidents. As a result, staff keep children safe and there has been a significant reduction in incidents between children. Children say that they are getting on better with each other.

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This monitoring visit

Children receive good support from their key workers. This helps them to safely explore what is important to them, including relationships within the home and with their families, developing their independence and understanding puberty. In addition to this, clinicians provide support to children and therapeutic guidance and training to staff. Staff are increasing their skill base, which is improving their interactions with children. Children are now in turn developing good relationships with staff, which has also contributed to the positive reduction in incidents.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager is providing strong leadership, while the recruitment of a permanent manager continues. She is working alongside the responsible individual to review the home’s action plan. The interim manager responds to incidents and listens to issues raised by children effectively and this promotes their welfare. As a result of children’s requests, they are enjoying their new Christmas bedding and looking forward to having their bedrooms painted in January.

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This monitoring visit

This is a new staff team. Most staff members are appropriately qualified and experienced residential childcare workers. The interim manager provides them with clear direction in team meetings. She also promotes training to enhance their skills around areas such as recording and therapeutic parenting. This is improving the quality of care children receive.

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This monitoring visit

The children say that they would like more children to move in and live with them. This shows that, alongside other changes such as children’s improved relationships with staff, children are feeling much more settled in the home. The responsible individual has demonstrated progress to address shortfalls and keep children safe. A new admissions process includes clinical oversight of all referrals about children. This provides robust scrutiny of referrals to improve the experiences for children moving in to and living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, Ofsted lifted the notice restricting accommodation at this home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1185765 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1185765 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) (2)(a)(b)) 29 January 2021

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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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: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited, Venture House, Unit 12, Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Agata Dokszewicz

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Inspector

Joanna Warburton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1185765 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 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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