Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC480671 1 SC480671

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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

This is one of several children’s homes operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

If required, children can access the organisation’s on-site school.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was completed off site. The purpose of the visit was to ensure that children are safe and that their needs are being met. The home has not been inspected since 5 November 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Two children were living at the home at the time of the visit, although one was spending time with her family as part of her final transition back home. Both spoke affectionately about the manager and staff and how they have helped them to move forward with their lives. One child said: ‘I really like it here and I have got a lot better since living here. The staff are always there for me and when I am sad or need something, they will try to sort it and make me happy. It is like a real home.’

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This monitoring visit

Children benefit from good routines, consistent boundaries, and high levels of care from a committed and dedicated team of staff. Care practice is underpinned by strong and trusting relationships that enable children to find stability and a sense of belonging. These provide children with the foundations for coming to terms with their past and better preparing for the future. A parent said: ‘[Name of child] has changed so much. She has learned boundaries and how to live in a better way. Staff have supported [name of child] tremendously well and if it wasn’t for the staff, [name of child] wouldn’t be living back at home.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC480671 2 Children say that they feel safe and that staff have their best interests at heart. Staff help children to understand and manage their behaviours, risks and vulnerabilities. High levels of supervision and support are delivered in a non-invasive way that

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This monitoring visit

encourages children to take age-appropriate risks. When necessary, specialist services are involved to ensure that children receive the best support possible when managing behaviours such as alcohol and substance misuse and self-harm.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector was given a virtual tour of the home, which is decorated and furnished to a good standard. During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic lockdown, children have been involved in decorating the lounge and painting murals on the wall of the basketball court. Photographs of children, both past and present, can be seen in communal areas and serve as a positive reminder of the many activities they have enjoyed with staff. When children leave the home, they take with them a memory book as a positive reminder of their time in care.

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This monitoring visit

Suitable action has been taken to address five of the six recommendations from the last inspection. As a result, improvements can be seen in staffing arrangements, the environment, children’s records, regulation 40 reporting and risk management. One recommendation relating to sanctions was not considered and is carried over to the next visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/11/2019 Full Good 09/01/2019 Full Good 08/11/2017 Full Outstanding 02/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC480671 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any sanctions given to children are proportionate to the behaviour. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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.

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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, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Thomas Cappleman

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Inspector

Paul Scott, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC480671 4 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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