Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 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 operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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This monitoring visit

On 29 July 2020, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit because of an increase in serious incidents occurring in the home and information received which raised concerns about safeguarding practice and ineffective management oversight.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of serious shortfalls, a decision was made on 30 September 2020 to put a condition in place that required the provider to give Ofsted three months’ notice before admitting a child. The organisation closed the service, children in placement left the home and staff relocated to other homes within the organisation.

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This monitoring visit

On 7 December 2020, the condition was lifted, and the service resumed operation. Two young people have moved into the home since it reopened.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the actions that the provider has taken since July 2020. The inspector gathered evidence in several different ways, including a site visit and talking to the manager, children, children’s social workers and members of staff. The manager also provided electronic documents for the inspector to review.

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This monitoring visit

There is a new manager in post and a new permanent staff team. The manager recognises that more time is required to embed the staff team and develop their skill base. The manager has a positive vision for the home and is enthusiastic in ensuring that the protection of children is central to her decision-making. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 2 The manager has acted to address the requirements and recommendations from the last visit. The home has been completely redecorated, and there has been some refurbishment to carpets, bedrooms and lounge area. The manager has taken steps to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place. A new fire risk assessment was completed on 01 December 2020. All actions outlined in this have now been completed.

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This monitoring visit

Children are now involved in their care planning, so they have knowledge and understanding of their plans. Children are also encouraged to participate in meetings and key-worker sessions and to express their opinions on a day-to-day basis.

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This monitoring visit

Management oversight of risk management has improved. Risk assessments now identify clear strategies for staff to use when addressing children’s challenging behaviours. This guidance is used by staff in their practice. Furthermore, staff are now undertaking regular, planned key-work sessions with children.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation has now ensured that staff have the appropriate training and skills to meet the specific needs of the children in the home. Regular team meetings and supervision meetings have provided further opportunities for the staff to reflect and learn.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has developed a new impact risk assessment document for future admissions to the home. Although the manager understands the importance of careful matching, the risk assessment failed to include the views of other professionals and the children currently living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have re-evaluated the systems for monitoring and reviewing the service. They have implemented new internal systems to oversee the running of the home and ensure that staff provide good-quality care to children. There are further monitoring and scrutiny of the home through monthly independent visits. The reports arising from these visits, however, do not demonstrate that the quality of care is effectively monitored. For example, children, staff and stakeholders are not regularly consulted.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/07/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 3

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

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that all staff from the home are experienced and continue to receive appropriate training. 01 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to impact risk assessments, including consultation with others as part of the assessment process. 01 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. 01 May 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 4 When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that consultation with children and stakeholders takes place as part of the visit.

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 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: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited, Venture House, Unit 12, Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2531921 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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