Children's Home run by New Horizons NW Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 1 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 occupied by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional and/or learning difficulties.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2023 Full Good 09/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children are currently living in the home. The children are settled and making good progress. Staff have good relationships with the children and talk to the children with warmth and offer physical affection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans for children are written in a clear, accessible format and are understood by all staff. Staff follow the step-by-step daily routine for individual children. This ensures that children receive a consistent quality of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have lots of fun with staff. For example, they play basketball in the garden, play board games, and go out for walks with staff. Staff value togetherness and there is a sense of unity in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of children’s health needs. Children are supported to attend routine and specialist health appointments. A clinical psychologist provides advice and training for staff so they can support one child’s specific mental health needs. Children’s health and emotional well-being are promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value the importance of education. They listen to children about their preferred learning environment and work with professionals to review children’s education arrangements. When there are barriers to children accessing education, staff communicate with teaching staff and ensure that children are fully prepared to attend school or college. Children who have experienced prolonged absence from school now have regular attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a say in what happens in the home. Every Sunday, staff help children to make plans for activities and meals for the week ahead. The registered manager uses children’s views in a report about how she will develop the service. Children’s views are respected and are a meaningful contribution to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to personalise their bedrooms to create a restful, private space. However, the appearance of two of the bedrooms was poor, with furniture that was not fit for purpose. One bedroom wall had a hole in it, which needed repair. Action was taken during the inspection to respond to these shortfalls.

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

Staff prioritise the safety and protection of children. When concerns arise, staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities in protecting children.

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

Individual assessments identify potential risks for children. Staff know what they need to do to lower these risks. The registered manager will identify areas where they feel risks have reduced or where children require further support following an incident. This keeps children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 4 Staff are trained to use physical intervention. This is used on rare occasions to prevent injury and damage to property. Staff keep records of incidents, which are reviewed by the registered manager. The registered manager helps children and staff to reflect on the intervention. This allows children to maintain trusting relationships with staff.

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

Staff help children to behave well at home. Staff ensure that children understand that they need to follow rules in the home to benefit themselves and other children. Incentive programmes help children to focus on specific areas, such as school or settling at bedtime. Star charts are used to appeal to younger children, who are proud of their achievements.

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

There are occasions when children are reported as missing from home. Staff understand the procedures in relation to children who may go missing from home and these are implemented quickly and effectively. Staff work with the children to understand the reasons behind an episode of going missing from home. As a result, episodes of children being missing are reducing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and skilled registered manager and deputy manager. The management team agree on the required attributes of staff, who are motivated to provide child-centred care in the home. Some staff have left the team, but the registered manager ensures that there are sufficient staff to meet the children’s needs. Staff changes have not had a negative impact on children’s experiences of being cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has devised effective monitoring systems that give her oversight of each area of development for children. The quality of care report is an evaluative account of the progress of the service and the positive impact on experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff hold a relevant qualification or are completing one. The registered manager ensures that staff receive induction training that supports them to fulfil their role and meet the individual needs of children who live at the home. For example, staff receive training on children’s diagnoses. This means that children are cared for by knowledgeable and experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have regular supervision sessions and team meetings with staff. However, staff do not routinely use these opportunities to discuss the care that they provide to individual children. This is a missed chance for staff to reflect on their own practice and consider how to further support children to make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager works closely with partner agencies to help to meet children’s needs. Staff attend children’s care planning meetings and will challenge other professionals if plans are not in children’s best interests. Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children. They will be homely, personalised and kept in good repair. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2638487 6

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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 17 & 18 Navigation Business Park, Navigation Way, Ashton-On-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Natalie Waterhouse

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Inspector

Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2638487 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 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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