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

Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

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 emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, 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 12 April 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 25 March 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 16 January 2020

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children make good progress from their starting points. This is influenced immensely by the consistent care that children receive from a committed staff team. The staff have children’s well-being at the centre of all that they do. The children’s progress includes good education attainment, improved health outcomes, and improved self-confidence and independence skills.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build strong connections with the children, recognising the importance and value of good relationships. This enables the children to be guided and supported by the staff. Staff know the children very well. In turn, the staff provide the care required to meet the individual needs of the children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are valued and respected as individuals. Children know that their opinions matter. They feel respected and know that staff have their best interest at heart. This helps children to be more confident and self-assured .

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children have a school placement or an alternative education provision. Children understand the importance of learning. Most children benefit from very good attendance, and they are making good progress to attain qualifications. Where there is a barrier to learning, staff work tirelessly to support children to engage.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are educational materials in the home to support learning. Prior to the COVID- 19 pandemic, there were regular visits to the public library. The children do have access to some books and enjoy reading. However, the selection of reading material is limited. Extending the range of books, comics and magazines would further promote the joy of reading and learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children access all routine health checks and assessments. Children’s health has improved as result of this. Staff continue to encourage one child to attend health checks who so far has declined to do so. In addition, the children benefit greatly from direct input from the in-house psychologist. The psychologist works with the staff to look at ways that will best support the children’s emotional and mental health needs. Children are more settled and are better able to regulate their emotions as a result of this support.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s faces light up, and they speak with a smile about the leisure activities that they take part in. The enjoyment they experience is evident. They like to go dog walking, trampolining, shopping, baking, visiting museums and on trips to places of interest. These experiences extend children’s awareness of the world around them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The voice of the child is evident throughout the home. Children told the inspector that they have daily discussions, key-work sessions and monthly chat meetings, where they make suggestions and give their views and opinions about matters that Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 4 affect their daily lives. Children have access to advocates. This ensures that their views are heard by professionals and others.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to learn life skills relevant to their age. They learn how to cook, use public transport and do chores around the home, such as cleaning and keeping their bedrooms tidy. Learning these important life skills is better preparing children for adult life.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children describe the house as a home. The house is well decorated, furnished, clean and tidy. What is noticeable is the array of photos of the children around the home. This clearly captures what life is like for children.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children say that they feel safer due to the consistent care being provided by staff that know them well.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are clear on the vulnerabilities of the children. The staff follow up-to-date and detailed placement plans and risk assessments that are in place for each child. Staff implement the agreed approaches and strategies to support and care for the children. As a result, children are settled and better able to regulate their emotions, and their presentation of risk-taking behaviour has significantly reduced.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been no incidents that have required a child to be physically held by staff to keep them safe. Staff are trained in a therapeutic model of care that they use to care and support the children. The staff work to reinforce positive behaviour, giving praise, reward and incentives to recognise each child’s achievements. The children respond well to this, becoming more settled and being proud of their achievements.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The occurrence of children going missing is rare. In such incidents, staff respond by looking for the child and by following safeguarding procedures to locate them and bring them home safely. Children receive support and guidance to understand the dangers of going missing to try and stop such events occurring again.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff demonstrate good awareness of what action to take to keep children safe. In the event of an allegation being made, swift action is taken to protect the child. The manager refers matters directly to the local authority designated officer. This helps to ensure a well-coordinated approach to potential investigations.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment checks are undertaken on all staff that work at the home. This ensures that staff working with the children are suitable.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has a strong understanding and oversight of the home’s strengths and the areas of current development. She leads by example through positive role Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 5 modelling and providing staff with clear guidance on their roles and responsibilities. As a result, staff are child-focused and committed to caring for the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Following the recommendation made at the last inspection, children now have access to an independent advocate. This helps to ensure that their rights and wishes are supported.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff knowledge and skills are enhanced through training and the sharing of information that they receive. Staff training includes safeguarding, first aid, medication and behaviour management. In addition, there is more specialist training provided in the therapeutic model of care, self-harm, substance misuse and autism spectrum disorder. However, not all staff who supervise others have received training in supervisory skills. This may hinder their ability to offer reflective and robust supervision to staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff state that they work in a very supportive team. The manager is seen as approachable and understanding. This ensures that staff morale and teamwork remain high.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An established staff team provides consistent care to the children. Good staffing levels afford children with the support and supervision they require.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals confirm that there is excellent partnership working, which includes frequent communication by telephone, emails and reports. This makes sure that children receive good multi-agency support.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The internal and external monitoring of the home are extensive, with continued commitment to improve and maintain good-quality care to the children. Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 6

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn, emphasising the value of independent study and reading for enjoyment. In particular, the registered person should expand the selection of reading material, including books, comics, magazines and puzzle books aimed at improving the reading level and understanding of the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that systems are in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. In particular, ensure that senior residential workers provide formal supervision to other staff should they have specific training in supervisory skills. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

p.6

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 for children's home: 2490996 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2490996 8 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.7

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.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8