Children's home run by New Horizons NW Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270802 1

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New Horizons (NW) Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 three children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home also provides care for children and young people with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in January 2021.

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This monitoring visit

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

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This monitoring visit

Social workers reported that the staff understand the needs of children and are effective advocates for children. Social workers said they were impressed with the staff team’s parenting practice and their knowledge of child development. Consistent routines and boundaries implemented by staff mean that children feel safe and secure in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Children told the inspector they are happy living at the home. Children have positive relationships with each other, with the older children acting as role models for those younger than them. Children build trusting relationships with the staff team and because of this, they can talk to staff about how they are feeling. One child said, ‘This is the most relaxed and chilled home I have ever lived in.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed training specific to children’s health and behavioural needs. Appropriate referrals are made to external agencies to support children with specialised health needs. However, when a child sustained an injury following unforeseen events, the staff did not advocate on behalf of the child by seeking Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270802 2 medical guidance from the appropriate healthcare services. The child was given basic first aid by the staff on duty and was offered but declined medical attention from a general practitioner or local hospital.

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This monitoring visit

Key-work sessions are a strength of the staff team and reflect that they are invested in children’s care and progress. Direct work engages children in their care planning. For example, children are encouraged to identify strategies that help them reduce their anxieties, so they can be included in their behaviour management plans as clear guidance for staff.

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This monitoring visit

Children have made significant progress since living at the home, with their level of missing-from-home incidents, substance misuse and physical aggression having reduced. One child reported that, since living at the home, they make safer choices than at previous placements.

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This monitoring visit

Restraint is used as a last resort. Restraint records demonstrate that staff are attuned to children’s needs and use effective de-escalation strategies, to try to help children to self-regulate. However, the manager should ensure that staff record the start time and duration of individual restraints within a single incident, taking into consideration where there are breaks in the restraint.

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This monitoring visit

Missing-from-home records evidence that staff consistently follow children’s missing- from-home protocols. The manager’s evaluation acknowledges the difficulties that children have faced during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Plans have been implemented to prevent children from going missing from home, for example, by children forming social bubbles to be able to promote regular family time during lockdown.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no complaints made by children since the last inspection. Children feel their views are listened to. The manager understands the importance of keeping children updated throughout a complaint’s procedure. Equally, the staff team knows how to manage and refer any complaints made by children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff said they feel ‘100% supported’ by the manager and that the level of communication within the team has improved. Staff understand the whistle-blowing policy and said if they have any concerns about the operation of the home or a colleague’s practice they feel comfortable raising the concerns with the leadership team.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/07/2019 Full Good 26/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 05/06/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270802 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

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—

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the manager should ensure that staff record the duration and start time of individual restraints within a single incident, taking into consideration where there are breaks in the restraint. 23 April 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have sufficient understanding of relevant health services. They should support children to navigate these services, advocating on their behalf where necessary and appropriate. Specifically, staff should access appropriate healthcare services to seek advice when children sustain injuries following unforeseen events. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.8)

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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: 1270802 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Natalie Waterhouse

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Inspector

Cheryl Field, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1270802 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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