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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1257073 1

p.1

Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It can provide care for up to three children or young people. The home offers short-, medium- and long-term placements for children and young people aged between eight and 18 years.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The aim of the home is to provide a period of stability to allow children and young people to reflect on their difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in June 2019. She is currently on a period of extended leave from the home. Interim management arrangements are in place.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this monitoring visit was carried out off site. The visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations. The visit included a review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with a child and staff.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff stated that they focus on building strong and trusting relationships with the children in their care. They present as a well-organised and dedicated team, who pride themselves on the work they do with children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The staff know the care needs of the children, their vulnerabilities, and the action that they must take to keep them safe. When the children do go missing, the staff follow procedures with vigour. Positively, the number of missing-from-care incidents is low.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children’s attendance at school has improved. As a result, academic progress has been made, with one child passing their exams.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The children are well supported by staff to see family members and others who are Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1257073 2 important to them. This assists the children to develop their self-esteem and emotional resilience, and helps to maintain connections with those who are important to them.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The children live in a home that is furnished and equipped to a high standard. They have personalised their own bedrooms. One child said that he liked having his own gym equipment in his bedroom as he liked to keep fit. The children have access to lots of resources, such as electronic and board games. Staff encourage them to participate in movie nights, regular walks and exercise. These activities have helped to keep children occupied during the period of national restrictions.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager has taken leave from her position and plans to return to the home in March 2021. Interim management arrangements have been put in place. However, it is unclear when senior workers or interim managers have attended the home. This is because the staff rota does not include when cover has been provided. This makes it difficult to track the level of management oversight of the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The absence of the registered manager and senior workers has left some new staff to care for the children on certain shifts. The impact of changes in the staffing arrangements, the pandemic and the children’s own personal circumstances have contributed to a short period of instability for the children.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/08/2019 Full Good 01/05/2019 Full Inadequate 14/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1257073 3

p.2

Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered persons 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that a suitably experienced staff member leads each shift, and to include the manager’s hours of work on the rota. 28 May 2021

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the leadership oversight of the home, along with the care and safety of the children in light that the home has not had a full inspection since August 2019.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1257073 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

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

p.4

Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1257073 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5