Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 1 SC484247 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. There were six children living at the home. Five males and one female child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2018.

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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: 1 December 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/12/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Good 15/05/2018 Full Good 23/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 3

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outstanding

Children have lived at the home between one month and four years. They are making exceptional progress from their starting points. All the children attend education and have goals and aspirations for their futures. Children are thriving in this home and the progress they make will improve their chances in life.

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outstanding

The homely, family environment is decorated and furnished to a high standard with lots of comfortable living space. Children’s bedrooms are highly individualised to reflect their personal interests. Pictures of children are displayed throughout the home, which gives children a sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Relationships between staff and children are based on mutual respect and trust. Staff know the children exceptionally well and have positive relationships with them, which helps children to accept help and support. One child said, ‘They never gave up on me.’

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outstanding

Children make progress while living in this home. The high levels of stability and consistency have led to a reduction in childrens complex behaviours. Children manage their emotions better, which results in their improved well-being. The innovative staff use research to inform their practice and respond to children’s needs. They commissioned specialist practitioners to visit a child in the home to help teach the child to talk about their feelings. As a result, the child now has strategies to use to talk to staff and this has led to a significant reduction of their self-injurious behaviours.

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outstanding

Children see their families regularly. Staff are instrumental in rebuilding relationships between children and their families. One child is returning home to live with their family as a result. Staff arrange activities for family members to take part in. This allows children to have positive experiences with the people who are important to them. One child said, ‘I could never have had this experience with my family if it wasn’t for the staff.’

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to take part in activities and have new experiences. Children have been abroad for the first time, visited a theme park, and learned how to swim and ride a bike. Children get on well together and consider each other as their brothers and sisters. They enjoy group activities together. Staff capture these moments in memory books for the children, so that they can look back fondly on their time at the home.

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outstanding

Children develop independence skills that are individualised to their needs. They are supported to use public transport, to budget and to learn how to cook and clean. Staff track children’s progress and discuss this with them. This keeps children informed and allows them to feel proud of their progress and their achievements. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 4 Children are settled and make significant progress in their education. Staff support children with their homework and are quick to address any concerns children have. Some children have taken GCSE examinations and spoke proudly about achieving the grades they needed to go to college. Some children have part-time jobs while they remain in education. They have hopes and aspirations and are constantly encouraged and pushed to achieve their potential. Staff and professionals are thrilled with children’s achievements and the progress they have made from their

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outstanding

Children feel listened to because consultation with them is highly individualised. Staff seek out the children’s views, wishes and feelings regularly and, as a result, children feel empowered. Their voice is central to the decision-making about their lives, from how they spend their time to what education provision they want to attend. This gives children a sense of ownership and control.

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outstanding

Children are supported to manage their social and emotional health needs. Staff adopt a therapeutic approach in how they care and respond to children, which builds children’s self-esteem, confidence and resilience. Staff seek further specialist support from professionals, which complements the high level of care and input the children already receive.

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outstanding

Children are safe and happy living at this home. They have trusting relationships with staff and can identify adults who they would speak to if they had concerns. Children talk about their peers and staff as family and staff echo this, showing genuine care and love for the children. The strong relationships and nurturing therapeutic environment resemble a family arrangement. These experiences provide children with stability and security, helping them to feel safe.

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outstanding

The diverse staff team supports children to develop their identity and practise their religion. Staff are knowledgeable and promote equality and diversity. This helps children and their families to feel confident that their cultural and religious needs are met.

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outstanding

Children receive care from an experienced and consistent staff team. Staff have an excellent knowledge of the risks associated with each child and are confident in their actions when risks are identified. Risk assessments are highly individualised and are updated following any incidents. Strong management oversight of the incidents shows scrutiny of the actions taken and analysis, helping to prevent the risk to children reoccurring.

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outstanding

Children rarely go missing from home. Staff respond to any concerns relating to children’s safety and work collaboratively with social workers and the police to return children home safely. Staff ensure that children have opportunities to speak to Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 5 professionals about any concerns they may have. This further strengthens children’s feeling of safety.

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outstanding

Staff use praise and rewards to encourage children to be responsible for their own decisions. Targeted and timely discussions with children enables them to reflect on their behaviours and manage their own feelings. Children learn new skills, are tolerant of others and are better equipped to manage their responses to crisis in the future.

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outstanding

Staff are innovative in how they deliver training and learning to children to help them stay safe online and in the community. Staff ensure that children are at the centre of discussions about their safety. Children learn how to form positive friendships and safe relationships. This helps them to make wise decisions about the people they spend time with and prepares them for adulthood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a wealth of experience and is extremely committed to her role. She provides stability and consistency and leads by example. She is passionate about children achieving their aspirations. Children are supported by a staff team that does not give up on them. This ethos is strongly embedded in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager nurtures the staff and the children. Staff are committed and go above and beyond to ensure that the children have promising futures. As a result, children are flourishing and have positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Relationships with professionals, schools and families are embraced and this ensures that children receive the best care and outcomes. Professionals are full of praise for the care the children receive. One social worker said, ‘The quality of care is amazing.’ Another commented, ‘This home is one of the best.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children move into the home after careful planning and matching. Moves into the home take place at the child’s pace and improve the chances of children having positive experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of her staff and others in line with children’s rights. She confidently challenged the local authority when a child’s education placement was delayed. This led to a quick resolution and a college placement being secured for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Excellent oversight through regular auditing and monitoring helps the managers to continually raise standards. Children’s records are exceptionally well maintained and show the progress they have made and where risks have reduced. Care plans and key-work sessions are targeted to manage risks and reflect the needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Bespoke training helps the staff to meet the individual needs of the children and provides them with opportunities for personal development. Staff are motivated, and Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 6 skilled in their roles. Supervisions and team meetings help to improve staff knowledge further and promote areas for improvement and change. Reflective supervisions allow staff to discuss the children’s needs and their own progress. Staff feel empowered, valued, and listened to. They are encouraged to be innovative and creative with their practice, which improves outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 7

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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 for children’s home: SC484247 8

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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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Inspector

Aasia Hussain, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC484247 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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