Children's Home run by New Horizons NW Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1235384 1

p.1

New Horizons (NW) ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home also provides care for children and young people with learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of the off-site visit was to look at the progress made in relation to requirements given at the home’s last full inspection. The home has not received a visit from Ofsted since October 2019. The inspector found that all the requirements have been met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Social workers reported that communication and safety planning is effective. Social workers say that the staff team is committed to the young people and work hard to become attuned to young people’s needs. Staff have made positive connections with young people and, because of this, young people trust staff and can talk to them about how they are feeling.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Young people say that they feel safe and happy living at the home. They feel listened to and involved in decisions about their care. Young people are developing positive relationships with each other and, consequently, are encouraged to spend some planned time together on activities.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff understand young people’s individual risks and work positively with young people to help them to make safer choices. For example, staff encourage young people to identify alternative ways to manage their emotions and mental well-being, rather than engaging in risk-taking behaviour. Young people have also improved their Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1235384 2 understanding of how to safely manage their use of social media as a result of careful monitoring and clear consequences implemented by the staff team.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Risk management plans contain up-to-date chronologies of young people’s behaviour. They provide staff with detailed guidance to safeguard young people in key areas such as helping to reduce the risk of self-harm. Behaviour support plans include thorough safety plans and agreed strategies that young people feel help reduce their anxieties.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Direct work with young people is a strength of the staff team. Young people engage in sessions about being positive role models for each other, promoting a family environment, and helping young people to acknowledge the impact of bullying on others.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Restraint is rarely used in the home. The restraint measures used are proportionate and necessary to keep young people, or others, safe during serious incidents. Staff are appropriately trained in restraint and de-escalation strategies to help young people to manage their behaviour.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Restraint records and evaluations are comprehensive. They give clear accounts of staff intervention and preceding factors. Debriefs with staff and young people identify lessons learned to guide future practice. However, the manager should ensure that staff record the duration of individual restraints within a single incident, taking into consideration where there are breaks in the restraint and a change of staff member involved in a restraint.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Matching risk assessments carefully consider young people’s individual needs and the impact of them living in the same home. The manager ensures that the staff have the experience and skills to be able to meet young people’s needs. As a result of effective matching, young people are making positive progress as they become used to living together.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are well supported by the manager and feel that team morale is positive. One staff member said, ‘It is the best management I have ever experienced.’ The manager acts as a positive role model for the staff team. She has clear expectations of professional practice and ensures that the staff understand why and when they should follow whistleblowing procedures.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/10/2019 Full Good 08/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 02/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1235384 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— a description of the measure and its duration. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)) Specifically, the manager should ensure that staff record the duration of individual restraints within a single incident, taking into consideration where there are breaks in the restraint and a change of staff member involved in a restraint. 15 April 2021

p.3

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.

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: 1235384 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 12, Riversway Business Village, Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YP

p.4

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Natalie Waterhouse

p.4

Inspector

Cheryl Field, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1235384 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: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5