Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490996 1

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Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children. The children require care to support them with their emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this visit was carried out off site. The visit included a review of documents, a virtual tour of the building, discussions with children and staff and information from professionals. The visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following notifications received by Ofsted that may indicate a potential risk to children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the children’s care needs. Care plans are child-centred and focus on the children’s presenting needs and vulnerabilities. This ensures that staff know the children well and are able to support their progress.

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This monitoring visit

Identified risks to children’s safety are well documented in their individual risk assessments. These provide useful and important guidance for the staff to follow. Risk assessments are routinely updated and reviewed by the manager. This helps to ensure that staff are able to better protect the children from harm.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are very aware of the home’s safeguarding procedures. In addition, the missing-from-care protocol supports a very individualised response when children go missing and ensures that the correct action is taken to keep the children safe. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490996 2 Careful decision-making is in place when considering new admissions to the home. This means that children are only admitted when the manager is satisfied that their needs can be met. The manager also considers the needs of the children already residing at the home. This helps to ensure that children settle quickly and that they make progress in all areas of their lives.

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This monitoring visit

Children can express their views through daily discussions, as well as during key-work sessions and weekly resident meetings. This means that children have a range of opportunities to make suggestions and share their opinions about their day-to-day care and future life choices. Children say that they feel listened to and that staff advocate on their behalf when necessary.

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This monitoring visit

The provision of a well-decorated and furnished home enhances the daily life experiences of the children. The children have been actively involved in the choices made about the decoration and personalisation of rooms in their home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff state that they are well supported by the senior team and receive regular supervision. Training is given priority, and this ensures that staff gain the necessary skills and knowledge relevant to their roles.

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This monitoring visit

There is excellent collaborative working between staff and professionals to make sure that the best interests of the children are followed. However, it is noted that one child does not have access to an advocate. This means that they have not had additional independent support to represent their views.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490996 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Children looked after are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure that they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives, including support when deprivation of liberty may be being considered. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 14.16)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following notifications received by Ofsted that may indicate a potential risk to children.

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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: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited, Venture House, Unit 12, Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490996 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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