Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 1 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

This privately run home provides care for two children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties and visual impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2021.

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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: 18 January 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a comfortable, clean house that is very much akin to a family home. Photos of the children having fun with staff and children’s artwork are displayed on the walls. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and fitted to their taste. Children feel comfortable and at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children go to school full time and have excellent attendance. One child has been supported to stay in the school that they have been attending for several years. A member of school staff said, ‘Communication is spot on. They [staff] keep us updated very regularly.’ Education is valued and promoted by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know children very well and have built secure relationships with them. Training is provided so that the staff can meet children’s specific needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have regular contact with their families, who come to the home and spend time with them, but they are also supported to spend time in the area that they come from. A parent commented, ‘They [the staff] are exceptional. They have looked after [name of child] really well.’ Keeping in touch with their families and visiting their home area is important to the children’s sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Generally, children’s health needs are met. However, staff do not always ensure that the details of some health recommendations are fully carried out.

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

Children’s risk assessments are clear, individualised and cover all the children’s known risks. They are reviewed and updated regularly so that staff remain aware of all risks. This helps keep children safe.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff are clear on what procedures they should follow should a child go missing from care. Staff know the procedures for safeguarding the children should they need them.

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

Staff have a detailed knowledge of online safety and have put effective measures in place that ensure online safety.

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

All staff who are recruited are thoroughly vetted to ensure they are safe and appropriate to work with children.

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

Any issues of bullying between the children are managed promptly and staff work with children to minimise such behaviours. Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and senior staff members know the children very well. They have clear knowledge of their progress and are ambitious for their futures. The registered manager is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and uses effective monitoring systems to identify when change or improvement is needed. The children are thriving in this environment and are well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to regular reflective supervision with the manager or senior staff. Staff describe the manager as ‘very approachable’ and ‘a fount of knowledge’. Staff also have annual appraisals to support them to identify any learning needs or development opportunities. Having this in place motivates staff, keeps them engaged and helps them to remain enthusiastic about their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals from partner agencies are pleased with the communication they receive from the manager and staff. They feel fully informed of how the child they are working with is progressing. This collaborative working helps ensure that everyone working with the child can meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a stable and consistent team of staff who communicate effectively with each other. Having a stable staff team means that children are cared for consistently by caring and motivated staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children have their voices heard regularly. They are asked each day how they are feeling, and staff plan nice activities and holidays with them. They have lots of enjoyable activities to look forward to that they have been involved in planning. This means that children know that their opinions and how they feel are important. Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all measures that can be taken to promote children’s good health are put in place. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3)

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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: 2614506 6

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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

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2614506 7 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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