Children's Home run by New Horizons (Stockport) Limited in Manchester

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472680 1 SC472680

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New Horizons (Stockport) Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to five children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2018 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place as Ofsted was not receiving regular reports from the independent visitor to confirm that children are safe. The visit took place both on and off site, using remote technology. Children, professionals and parents were spoken to as part of the visit.

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This monitoring visit

Four children currently live in the home and one child has recently moved back to his family. Staff supported his transition home and were sensitive to go at his pace. His social worker said, ‘I cannot fault the staff, they are fantastic. It is one of the best homes I’ve ever worked with.’

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This monitoring visit

Children spoken to confirmed that they are happy and safe. One child said, ‘This is my home and I love it here. It's the best place I've lived since I've been in care.’ Staff have been creative in having fun with the children throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. Photographs of this time have been captured in memory books for children to keep.

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This monitoring visit

Children moving into the home are welcomed. Staff have the skills to meet the needs of the children placed. Staff help children to build relationships. When there have been difficulties, staff have supported children to understand others. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] has made some really good progress since he has been there.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472680 2 Children, staff and professionals value the leadership in the home. The manager and deputy work closely together to provide a nurturing environment. All previous requirements and recommendations have been met. One social worker said, ‘The manager is amazing, she is so child focused, she has attended all the meetings. [Name of child] will miss her dearly.’

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This monitoring visit

Records are detailed and risk management plans are regularly reviewed and updated. However, they do not guide staff on the steps to take when children are under the influence of substances or at risk of ligatures. Staff spoken to are all well informed and consistent in managing risk, but clear plans are needed to guide any new staff.

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This monitoring visit

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort. Records are detailed and staff spend time to ensure that children are debriefed after any intervention. On one occasion, an allegation was made which was not reported in line with policy. This is required to ensure that children and staff are heard and safe.

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This monitoring visit

All measures of control are recorded and reviewed by the manager. However, the manager does not record speaking to the child and staff imposing the measure as part of the review. This reduces the opportunity to hear the views from the child and for reflection and learning.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s views are considered when decorating. The home is warm and personalised with photographs and soft furnishings. Children’s bedrooms are clean and tidy. Locks on the internal doors are not used but require removing to ensure that children have access to all areas of their home.

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This monitoring visit

Although the home is visited monthly by an independent visitor, reports are not sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. This prevents the regulator from having oversight of recent events in the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/07/2019 Full Good 19/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472680 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, the 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to risk management plans providing clear steps for staff to take. 30 April 2021

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to removing internal locks on doors of communal areas. 30 April 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472680 4 The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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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

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b) (7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that the report is sent in a timely manner. This will provide the regulator with a current reflection of the home. 30 April 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. This relates specifically to speaking to the child and staff imposing the sanction as part of the review. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should ensure that children are listened to and enabled to report any allegations at the earliest opportunity. Staff should report any allegation of abuse immediately to a senior manager within the home. Any allegation of harm or abuse must be addressed in line with the home’s child protection policy. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.17)

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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: SC472680 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (Stockport) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 154 Buxton Road, High Lane, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 8EA

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Inspector

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472680 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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