Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2536761 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 home provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties. It is run by a large national provider of children’s homes. At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by an experienced and suitably qualified registered manager.

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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: 25 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: 2536761 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/01/2022 Full Good 04/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2536761 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. However, broken furniture has not been replaced, which means that children do not have appropriate storage for their belongings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff know the children well and want the best for them, which promotes positive relationships with the children. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has been let down by so many adults in her life, the most important thing for her was to feel loved and cared for and to have people she can trust. She has found this here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered sensitive care based on their individual needs. Children have access to a therapist in the home, allowing them to receive support when they are ready. The manager and staff support children, using a range of resources, to understand their own feelings along with the impact that these can have on others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote each child’s identity and build children’s self-esteem and confidence through consistent, nurturing care. Staff ensure that children spend time with those important to them, including family members. This is encouraged in a safe way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All three children are in full-time education. The manager advocates on behalf of the children and ensures that communication with education providers is good. This allows for the sharing of all relevant information to support the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed into the home and transitions are managed well. The manager and staff maintain positive relationships with children and their families when children have left the home. Children are supported to develop independence skills that will support their move from the home to independent living.

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

Individual risk assessments address known vulnerabilities. Assessments are robust, up to date and include strategies to manage risk. Staff understand the risks to children and respond consistently. The manager and staff work proactively with other professionals and parents to share information and reduce the risks of harm to children.

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

Staff support children to understand risks and to develop strategies to keep themselves safe. Children who display self-injurious behaviours are offered clear strategies for how to keep themselves safe. Consequently, risks in relation to self- harm are reducing. Inspection report for children's home: 2536761 4 Children who go missing from home receive consistent support from staff. Staff understand the risks and respond appropriately. The manager ensures that independent return home interviews are completed.

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

Staff provide consistent care, routines and boundaries for the children and understand the possible triggers for children’s behaviours.

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

Behaviour is managed appropriately. Children are rewarded for positive behaviour and staff use de-escalation strategies specific to the needs of the children. Restraint is used as a last resort and is reviewed, recorded and monitored. The manager and staff work hard to manage conflict between children and restorative practice is used to support positive relationships and children’s sense of responsibility.

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

Recruitment of new staff is robust and relevant steps are taken to ensure that only suitable people are employed to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively by a permanent and suitably qualified manager. The manager is supported by a deputy. The manager understands the children, their individual needs, progress and plans. Staff share the manager’s commitment to achieving good outcomes for children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed effective systems to gather views of children, family members and professionals, which has enhanced planning for the home. Children are consulted and their views are clearly recorded. Feedback is provided to children regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a consistent staff team who work well together. Staff feel supported by the manager and receive regular supervision. Team meetings provide opportunities to reflect and develop as a team, supported by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the children. Training is provided and mandatory courses are completed by most staff. Additional training provided is specific to the needs of the children. This ensures that staff have the skills to support each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good management oversight across the home. Monitoring systems are effective. The manager works well with other professionals to ensure that children are supported and risks are managed appropriately. Inspection report for children's home: 2536761 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(2)(b)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with appropriate furniture, including drawers and wardrobes with doors, to store their personal items. Furniture that is broken should be replaced. 17 March 2023

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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: 2536761 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: 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ

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Inspectors

Jenni Gadsby, Social Care Inspector Catherine Fargin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2536761 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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