Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2536761 1

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Hexagon Care Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to four young people who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two managers have responsibility for this home. They are both registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was instigated because notifications to Ofsted raised concerns relating to the safety and well-being of young people. These concerns were specifically in relation to two serious incidents at the home and an episode of a young person going missing from the home. Some aspects of this visit were completed remotely.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents of young people going missing from the home are responded to appropriately. Staff follow missing-from-home protocols and are proactive in attempting to locate young people. Missing-from-home protocols are clear, comprehensive and child-friendly and support young people to return home. The staff greet young people with warmth and praise on their return.

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This monitoring visit

There have been several occasions when young people have barricaded themselves in a bedroom to smoke cannabis together. On some occasions, this was during the night. The procedures in place to manage these incidents were not effective. This is a significant safety concern for everyone at the home and has an impact on young people’s physical and mental health.

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This monitoring visit

Young people’s care plans are detailed. However, they do not include individualised strategies to promote effective behaviour management. One young person’s plans included contradictory approaches and were not specific to her needs. This means that there is no clear guidance to manage this young person’s behaviour before or during times of crisis. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2536761 2 Admissions to the home have not always been thoroughly assessed. The impact of young people’s risk-taking behaviours has not been fully considered in relation to those young people already living at the home. Consequently, there have been several occasions when young people have engaged in negative behaviour together.

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This monitoring visit

The relationships between the young people who currently live at the home are good. Young people get on well and engage in positive group activities together, such as bingo and pamper nights. The young person who moved into the home most recently is being discouraged by her older peers from engaging in risk-taking behaviours. The result of these relationships is that the home has a warm, positive and family-like atmosphere.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand the impact of young people’s previous experiences on their behaviours. The staff show genuine care and affection towards the young people and speak of them fondly. They care about how the young people feel and want them to be happy. Because of this, young people have secure relationships with staff and want to live at this home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff encourage young people to express their views and opinions and help them to resolve their issues in a safe environment. Because of this, young people have managed conflict positively and maturely.

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This monitoring visit

Staff enjoy working at the home and feel confident in their roles. However, they have not all received substance misuse or internet safety training. This hinders their ability to undertake preventative work and identify instances when young people may be at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Social workers are positive about the care provided to young people. A social worker said, ‘Managers and staff are amazing. I am very happy with the home. The staff know my young person very well.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2536761 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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 the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, when measures to protect young people from harm are not effective, these should be reviewed, and alternative strategies sought. This is in relation to young people barricading doors and putting themselves and others at risk of harm. 18 April 2021

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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

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.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, staff should have the knowledge and skills to fully understand and respond to all young people’s risk-taking behaviours. 18 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2536761 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. When there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps that the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that the behaviour management strategy is kept under review and revised when appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)  The registered person should only accept placements for children when they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and when they have fully considered the

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Recommendations

impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the home following concerns being notified to Ofsted.

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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: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 Tustin Court, Riversway, Preston PR2 2YQ

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Joanne Abram and Holly Ambrose

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2536761 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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