Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 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

This privately operated home provides care for up to three children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (social and emotional difficulties). The home was registered in November 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There have been three changes of manager since the home was registered. An interim manager has been in post since March 2022.

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: 11 January 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there has been a noticeable improvement in the overall appearance and organisation of the home. Subtle changes, such as a new carpet on the stairs and new paint on kitchen cabinet doors give a refreshed appearance to the home. Rooms that were empty are now fully in use and organised. One room is used as a games/study room for children. The staff sleep-in room is now a separate room next to the front door. This allows staff to hear any nocturnal activity should children leave the home at night.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children are living in the home. The inspector spoke to both children about their daily lived experience. Children are proud of their personal spaces, and bedrooms are tidy. One child requires a new carpet and repair to the window restrictor in her bedroom following an incident. The inspector was informed by the manager that the maintenance team is aware of this.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Recent management changes and more effective decision-making in children’s care plans have seen an improvement in the quality of care provided to children. A consistent staff team continues to provide nurturing and supportive care to children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who have not previously lived in a children’s home report feeling happy and view the home as their own. One child said: ‘I really love it here. It’s made a huge difference to my life. Staff are really genuine. I feel I can talk to anyone.’ Another child talked about the recent management changes and said the home felt much calmer and there were more things to do in the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who have previously not had access to consistent health appointments now have their health plans actioned. For example, a visit to the opticians for one child has resulted in the child’s vision improving because of wearing glasses. Children can talk about difficult feelings and emotions by accessing therapeutic services. Children have spoken to professionals regarding smoking and cannabis use cessation to help improve their health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have continued to engage in some level of education with tutors despite being out of mainstream education. One child is now on target to achieve good grades in summer exams, where previously there were barriers to education and learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Communication between parents and carers has improved. The manager has made some adjustments to ensure that a parent is now able to have family time in the home. Relationships with family members require strengthening to ensure that parents feel involved in the care of their child. The care plan for one child requires managers to advocate and gain clarity from the placing authority to ensure that the child is reassured about their future placement. A recommendation is made to address both matters. Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 4 A child who had lived at the home for two years did not have a positive end to his placement, therefore, transition arrangements to independence require some improvement. Currently, the transition plan for one child does not clearly evidence how well this child is prepared for his future. The independence workbook does not evidence how and when tasks have been completed; therefore, it is difficult to

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The views, wishes and feelings of children are now gathered in children’s meetings. There is now evidence to show that children’s views are captured and responded to.

p.4

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

Overall, behaviour support plans have been streamlined to reflect current behaviours and behaviour management strategies. Although the documents have improved, current risk factors are not highlighted alongside the concerning behaviours. The in- house therapists also provide an overview, with therapeutic support plans that clearly evidence the therapeutic management of risk.

p.4

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

Missing-from-care incidents have recently decreased since one child moved on from the home. The manager has enforced a clear action plan for staff to conduct night- time checks to ensure improved security of children who may go missing at night. Return home interviews are not consistently followed up with an independent person. This is an area for improvement.

p.4

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

A new in-house secure Wi-Fi portal provides greater security for the protection and safety of children online. Children who may be at risk and/or are vulnerable in relation to posts on social media require help and support to understand the legal implications of sharing inappropriate images.

p.4

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

A child who previously presented with some risks in the community, has not had her free time reviewed. The child is confused about whether she is allowed to go out. A recommendation has been made to address this matter.

p.4

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

Lack of scrutiny at the point of referral for one child and unsuitable placement matching with a child in the home contributed to an escalation of missing-from- home incidents. Impact risk assessments did not fully capture the highlighted risks and concerns for both children.

p.4

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

To address a recent fire-starting incident in a child’s bedroom, the fire officer has been asked to visit the home to ensure that children understand the dangers and risks of fire-starting. This is also relevant for children who have on occasions smoked cigarettes in the home. In the meantime, the manager has been proactive and obtained assistance from the maintenance team to ensure that children understand the immediate concerns.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 5 The home has seen recent changes to the management structure. The registered manager resigned following the previous inspection. An interim manager is currently in post. The registered manager position is currently vacant.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is highly organised and knowledgeable. Within a short timeframe, the interim manager has made significant progress to develop new systems and procedures that clearly demonstrate the progress of children. The manager is aware of the provider’s policies and procedures and has spent time reorganising and auditing systems. Although some areas require strengthening, there is evidence of good practice and development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager was open and transparent throughout the inspection and demonstrated a good understanding of children’s care plans. There is evidence of improved multi-agency working and challenge to partner agencies. For example, the manager has challenged an education provider effectively to ensure that an incident in school has been appropriately responded to by the school.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report an overall improvement in management arrangements and structure in the home. Overall, there has been an improvement in staff accessing training. The manager has identified training to ensure that staff have a good understanding of the application of therapeutic interventions. Staff supervisions are structured to include discussions that relate to incidents in the home and staff’s personal development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External audit of the home by an independent person provides an evaluation of the progress and development of the home. Recommendations from the reports have been actioned in a timely manner. The internal report on the review of the quality of care is reflective and evaluative and clearly sets out shortfalls and areas for improvement for the next reporting period.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management scrutiny, oversight and audit since the last inspection is evident. This was a positive inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(iii)(vii)(b)) 30 July 2022

p.6

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 30 July 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 7 that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.7

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home;

p.7

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. In particular the review of transition plans for children leaving care and moving to independence. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that restriction of free time is reviewed to ensure that children are free to come and go from the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the standards,’ page 50, paragraph 9.63)  The registered person should ensure that the home only accepts placements for children when they are satisfied that the staff can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and when they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 56, paragraph 11.4)  The registered person should ensure that effective care planning and strong working relationships exist between staff, the placing authority, parents and carers, as they are essential to the success of placements. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 56,

p.7

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: 2554918 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Inspector

Kamal Bhamra, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2554918 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9