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

Inspection report children's home: 1253501 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This three-bedded home provides care and support for children who have additional learning needs. There were two children living at this home at the time of inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post is currently vacant. A new manager has been appointed and has recently started working in the home. Their application to become registered with Ofsted is pending.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) at the request of the secretary of state, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on the 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 19 December 2019

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children's home: 1253501 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/12/2019 Full Outstanding 06/03/2019 Full Outstanding 26/02/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 1253501 3

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outstanding

Children make outstanding progress because they are so well supported. Staff are confident, knowledgeable and highly skilled. Staff have a thorough understanding of each child’s communication style. This means that children are able to make choices, express their preferences and contribute to any decisions that might affect them. Children are confident to express their individuality.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are exceptionally well considered. Staff work very closely and effectively with families and health services. As a result, healthcare plans are of a very good quality and each child’s health needs are fully addressed.

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outstanding

Well-established routines mean that children are well prepared for the school day. As a result, children have excellent attendance. Children have very positive educational experiences because staff work creatively with schools, ensuring a consistent approach.

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outstanding

Children have developed a strong sense of belonging and stability in the home. Children are encouraged to explore their interests and take part in fun, stimulating activities. Although children very much enjoy the activities that they are familiar with, staff do not always make enough effort to introduce children to new activities and experiences.

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outstanding

The spacious and well-equipped home is adapted well to meet the sensory needs of children. However, some areas of the home and garden are not currently presented to the same high standard as the rest of the home.

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outstanding

Children are safe and well protected. Staff have a detailed understanding of the particular vulnerabilities of each child. There is a high level of empathy and understanding towards the children. Staff are quick to recognise any signs that children are becoming anxious or upset. Because they pick up on non-verbal cues so quickly, they often prevent children from becoming distressed. The attentiveness of staff ensures that children feel a real sense of security.

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outstanding

Risk assessments are thorough and clear. This enables staff to take effective action to keep children safe. Staff take effective action to minimise or eliminate any hazards so that the risk of accidental injury is low.

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outstanding

Staff complete regular safeguarding training that takes account of the particular vulnerabilities of disabled children. They also receive tailored guidance based on specific needs of the children. As a result, staff have a clear understanding of their Inspection report children's home: 1253501 4 safeguarding roles and responsibilities. The safeguarding needs of the children are also reviewed in staff meetings.

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outstanding

The home’s complaints and allegations management processes are clear. Whistle- blowing procedures are easily accessible to staff and fully understood. The quality of communication with children means that staff know if a child is not happy. These effective systems protect children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is very well led. Although the registered manager left the home in September 2021, a new manager was quickly appointed. The home’s skilled and experienced deputy manager ensured that interim management arrangements were excellent. The managers and staff are knowledgeable and highly skilled. They speak with real passion about their role in ensuring that children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are very well supported by managers in their day-to-day practice. Managers are visible and approachable. Staff provide very good-quality supervision. New staff are fully supported to provide the best possible care. This has resulted in a settled, stable and confident staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are provided with good-quality training and development opportunities. Induction of new staff is well organised. More experienced staff are able to take more advanced training that enhances their skills. Staff are either qualified or undertaking the appropriate qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children’s families are fully involved in decision making and care planning. They value the fact that staff ensure that they are fully informed about their children’s progress and experience. Families’ views are listened too and acted on. As a result, children have positive relationships with those who are important to them. Inspection report children's home: 1253501 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a consistently nurturing and a supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should, in conjunction with any relevant person (such as a parent or school) assess what activities would be safe, achievable and reasonable for each child, in line with their relevant plans. Also, ensure appropriate opportunities are available for each child to have fun, form friendships and enjoy life, relative to their stage of development and individual needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.10)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children's home: 1253501 6

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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: Venture House, Unit 12 Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 1253501 7 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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