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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 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 home is owned by a large private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2019 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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: 10 November 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: 1277734 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 3

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outstanding

Children receive outstanding care and make progress. The staff know the children well and understand their differing needs. . Where needed, additional research and support are used to ensure that the children receive the right care. For example, one child’s diagnosis has been explored and training delivered to the staff, as well as direct work completed with the child by the in-house clinical team. This means that the child and staff have a better understanding of the child’s health needs and how to manage them.

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outstanding

The three children are settled. Two of the children have been living and making progress in the home for several years and their long-term plan is to stay. A third child is preparing to move in to foster care. The staff are supporting the child with their move. They have completed a mood board for their new bedroom and are preparing a picture book of the child’s journey at the home. The new foster carers feel involved and speak highly of the team and the planning around the move. Another child, who no longer lives at the home and only stayed for a short time, has successfully returned to live with their family.

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outstanding

The children give positive feedback about their experiences and opportunities in the home and wider community. The children are encouraged to engage in activities that they enjoy individually and as a group to create a family experience. The children have trusted relationships with each other, staff and other professionals who they work with.

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outstanding

The staff team successfully supports children to access their education. All three children attend full-time education and, where needed, receive additional help and support with their learning. At times, the registered manager has challenged and advocated on behalf of the children to ensure that they attend the right provision for their needs. This means that the children attend the right schools and are making good progress.

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outstanding

Staff promote family time for the children. This is supported accordingly and, where appropriate, family are welcomed into the home. Staff ensure that family members are kept well informed and updated on their child’s progress, and this was confirmed by feedback from families during inspection.

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outstanding

The children are living in a well-presented, warm and welcoming home. The children have personalised bedrooms and access to communal spaces that they have helped to beautifully design. There is a designated playroom with a games console, computer, books and toys. There is a large enclosed garden with a trampoline, swings and a slide. Personal touches are seen throughout the home, with pictures of the children enjoying activities and recent school photos displayed. There is a real Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 4 sense of pride for the home among the staff team, who work hard to maintain high standards for the children.

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outstanding

The registered manager ensures that children are safeguarded. The staff have expert knowledge of the policies and procedures in place to keep children safe, and they follow them accordingly. When needed, referrals are made to the designated safeguarding officer and followed through appropriately. As a result, children feel heard and valued, and say that they feel safe.

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outstanding

The staff have a good understanding of risk in the home. They are prepared and respond appropriately to any presenting challenges. Following low-level incidents in the home, protocol is followed and accurate recording is in place. The children are supported to understand their behaviour and look at better ways to manage their emotions through direct work. This is supported by the unconditional positive regard shown by the staff and the decision to not use sanctions in response to difficult behaviour.

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outstanding

Staff have adapted well to new challenges. This means that older children coming into the home are encouraged and supported with age-associated risk. An example of this is with a child using a mobile phone and accessing social media. This experience has inspired forward-thinking, and the staff team are preparing for the upcoming changes and risk that will occur as two children enter their teenage years.

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outstanding

Children are listened to. The children engage in regular house meetings and their wishes and feelings are discussed in staff meetings. The children receive feedback when consulted individually by the registered manager about their requests. The staff encourage and support the children to contribute to meetings and reviews. This means that their voice is heard and they are actively involved in decision-making about their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is passionate about his role. This is evident in his child- focused ambitions for the home, staff and the progress that the children make. He models exceptional care for the children in the home and this cascades through the staff, who he has high expectations of. This means that the staff team has excellent knowledge of the therapeutic parenting model used within the home and applies the model competently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager uses research to develop the home and staff team. Discussions in team meetings help staff to collectively think about how research can be used to improve the care for the children. This has included the benefits of having a dog in the home, and an increased understanding of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 5 There have been some changes to the staff team. However, this has not reduced the quality of care provided to children. The experienced and dedicated staff team prioritise children’s needs. When additional staff are required, the registered manager uses the same staff from other homes in the organisation and has only used one agency staff member.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel inspired and supported. Staff speak positively about the leadership skills of their manager and the commitment that he has shown to developing the home and staff team. The staff receive regular good-quality supervision that is reflective and supports their developing practice. Staff are instrumental to the progress that the children make and are proud of their achievements, which are celebrated by all.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff complete mandatory training that is updated regularly. The staff team has access to additional training and regular consultation with the in-house clinical team. The clinical team attend team meetings and offer support and guidance around the care of the children. The clinical team offer direct work with the children, and this has been successful in supporting the progress of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and staff work in partnership with other professionals and agencies. Positive feedback has been received on the proactive approach taken to advocate for the children and the regular updates and reports on the progress that the children make. Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 6

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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: 1277734 7

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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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Inspector

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1277734 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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