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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 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

The children’s home is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 3 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/02/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/03/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has been providing care to one child on a solo basis. Staff provide consistent care and support to the child and as a result the child is making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have regular meaningful conversations with the child. This includes talking about incidents, having a healthy lifestyle, staying safe online and about the child’s individual needs. Good-quality records reflect on the development the child is making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When the child moved into the home, she was not accessing a classroom-based education. The manager challenged the local authority and found a school that would meet the child’s needs. The child’s engagement in education has now increased. She enjoys going to school, is engaging in her learning and has developed positive peer relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to have regular time with her family and friends. Staff work closely with children and their families to ensure that the time they spend together is a positive experience. This gives the child a sense of security and maintains her identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to attend all routine health appointments. The child has developed the confidence to ask for support in addressing her health needs. Staff have advocated for specialist support to help the child with understanding her own behaviours. This multi-agency working ensures that children receive the help and support they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child takes part in a wide range of activities and is supported to pursue her own hobbies and interests. She attends weekly gymnastics and swimming classes. The child has attained certificates charting her progress in her activities, and these are proudly displayed in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The living environment is homely; it has been redecorated to provide new furniture, and there are age-appropriate games. The child’s bedroom has been decorated to her taste. A lounge has been turned into a games room with inspirational quotes on the wall. The house is a home the child is proud to live in.

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

The child feels safe in this home. The staff have a good understanding of how to keep her safe. Staff talk to the child regularly about keeping herself safe when she is accessing the internet and playing games online. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 4 Risk assessments for the child are aligned with the behaviour support plans. They are clearly written and provide good guidance for staff. They are reviewed and amended when required. This gives staff up-to-date information to follow.

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

There have been a few instances when staff have had to hold the child to manage their behaviour. These are rare and holds are only used as a last resort to keep the child and others safe. Meaningful conversations with staff help the child to reflect on incidents and think of other ways to express her feelings. The manager has excellent oversight of any interventions and ensures that there is learning from the incidents.

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

Sanctions are rarely used but when they are, staff have conversations with the child to reflect on why they were imposed, and the child learns from this. An incentive chart is used well to encourage the child to meet her targets through positive behaviours. Staff offer rewards and praise. They celebrate the child’s achievements and reflect with the child in key-work sessions on her progress.

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

Since the last inspection, new staff have been recruited to the home. Safe recruitment practices underpinned the process. Staff had a thorough induction to cover mandatory training before they started work in the home, and they are currently in a period of probation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager. He is passionate and aspirational for the child and the staff. He provides strong leadership and oversees a committed and stable workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the manager, and they are well supported in their role. They receive regular supervision which allows them to reflect on their practice, with particular focus on keeping the child safe and improving outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are no gaps in the training records for staff and they are all level 3 qualified. Access to additional training increases their knowledge and skill sets. There are good opportunities for professional development. This leads to high morale in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective quality assurance and monitoring systems in place. Through these systems, the manager has improved the quality of children’s key- work sessions, care plans and children’s meetings. This allows children’s lived experiences to be better understood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual is also present in the home regularly. They support the registered manager to review and update policies. This additional scrutiny in the home means actions in relation to any shortfalls can be quickly identified and acted on.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a strong advocate for children. He confidently challenges other professionals, when necessary, to achieve the best outcomes for the child. He remains professional so that his positive working relationships are not compromised. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 5

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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: 1258089 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: Unit 12, Venture House, Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Oliver Scrimshaw

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Inspector

Aasia Hussain, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1258089 7 regulates and inspects 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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