Children's home run by New Horizons NW Limited in Sefton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 1 SC485956 Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) 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 and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who have been, or who are, experiencing social and/or emotional difficulties due to early life trauma, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2020 and is suitably 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/03/2022 Full Outstanding 08/05/2019 Full Good 15/05/2018 Full Good 06/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 3

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outstanding

The home supports two children with complex learning needs. Both children have lived in the home for several years and have made exceptional progress from their starting points. They are extremely well supported to develop their confidence, self- esteem and emotional resilience.

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outstanding

There is genuine affection and warmth between the children and staff. One child said, ‘We are a family and we all love each other.’ The child also said, ‘The home should be a flagship home and all children’s homes should be modelled on this one.’ Parents are positive about the progress their children make. One parent said, ‘Staff are brilliant, he has made so much more progress than we ever thought he would. They are amazing with him.’

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outstanding

Staff are knowledgeable about children’s individual health needs. They are proactive in using research to inform their practice. For example, they have researched the benefits of a specific diet to support a child with their health condition.

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outstanding

Children’s views are considered in all aspects of the home. One child, who does not use verbal language, is encouraged to express their wishes and feelings through variety of means, such as electronic resources, social stories and sign language.

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outstanding

Children are helped to develop their skills towards independence and are making good progress in this area. For example, they are supported with a step-by-step approach to independent travel and receive support to learn to how to cook.

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outstanding

Staff have clear aspirations for children. Children regularly attend groups and clubs in the local community and enjoy the opportunity to socialise with their peers. Children are supported to access leisure and employment opportunities. One child was supported to deliver leaflets locally while the other child works in an equine centre. This level of aspiration for children enables them to grow in confidence and develop their social skills.

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outstanding

Children’s education is well promoted. The continuity of approaches between the staff and school enables children to feel secure in their learning. Children know what to expect on a day-to-day basis and thrive from the structure and routines in place. As a result, children are flourishing and successfully meeting their targets.

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outstanding

The manager and staff value the relationships that children have with their family and friends. They support and encourage children to enjoy this time and to maintain positive relationships with people who are important to them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 4 The home is welcoming and well decorated. Photos of shared experiences are proudly displayed. This enables children to develop a sense of belonging in the home.

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outstanding

A strong safeguarding culture underpins practice in the home. Staff are highly vigilant in keeping children safe. Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are thoroughly assessed, regularly reviewed and well recorded. Personalised risk plans provide staff with the necessary guidance that they need to confidently promote children’s safety and well-being. The team is dynamic in its approach to supporting children and educating them about risk.

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outstanding

Highly effective care planning ensures that children’s needs are being met. Children’s case records are detailed and regularly reviewed. Records are child centred and reflect children’s progress.

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outstanding

Staff understand children’s needs. Effective behaviour management techniques enable staff to support children to manage their frustrations and anxieties. Staff provide consistent responses and clear boundaries to children. This helps children to feel safe.

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outstanding

Staff are skilled in using de-escalation techniques to support children’s behaviour in a positive direction. Instances of staff holding children to keep them safe are rare. The manager has robust oversight and evaluation of each incident. Debriefs are reflective and insightful, providing opportunities for children and staff to share their experiences.

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outstanding

Incidents of children going missing from the home are infrequent. When incidents occur, staff know how to respond. They are proactive in searching for children and successfully locate them in a timely manner. There is a focus on supporting children with their emotional health and well-being. Children are provided with opportunities to talk through their reasons for going missing. This enables the team of staff to implement any learning from incidents in their practice.

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outstanding

Children know how to make a complaint and are confident in doing so. The manager acknowledges complaints with a clear written response and engages in discussion with children so that they understand the outcome.

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outstanding

There are rigorous systems in place to manage the recruitment and selection of staff. These measures reduce the risk of children being exposed to unsuitable adults who may cause them harm. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager demonstrates aspirational leadership. She is supported by a highly motivated and committed staff team. The manager and staff understand the children in their care well. They work together to promote positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager values staff’s training and progression. She is passionate about ensuring that the team of staff are skilled and trained to deliver an exceptional level of care which is supported by a theoretical base.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from ongoing opportunities for reflective practice and learning. They are committed to their own learning and development. Team meetings are creatively used to share research-informed practice to improve outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision and appraisal arrangements are well established and provide good opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice. The manager uses this time effectively to develop staff performance and set objectives for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

New staff have a detailed induction which includes mandatory training. Children are involved in the recruitment of staff. They are encouraged to give feedback during probation reviews on the newly recruited staff. One child explained how this ensures that he plays a part in decisions about who will support him in his home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses highly effective internal and external monitoring systems to identify any areas for development and to address any issues as they arise. Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 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: SC485956 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 12, Riversway Business Village, Navigation Way, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Natalie Waterhouse

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Inspector

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC485956 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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