Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Dudley

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who have had adverse early experiences and who have complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager.

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Inspection date: 14 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 2

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Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection. Staff provide care that gives children a good experience, with a focus on keeping them safe. Children are encouraged to pursue hobbies and interests. For example, one child is enjoying being on a football team, and other children really value their time spent at the stables with the horses.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been a number of behavioural incidents for all children at this home, some of which are significant. Staff understand and use de-escalation techniques to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents. Bespoke staff training has led to increased consistency of care and fewer physical interventions for one child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff sustain positive relationships with children. Following incidents, staff focus on supporting children to restore relationships. For example, for some children, a tactile approach is used and hugs are offered. As a result, children actively seek out interaction and support from staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand that children’s experiences can inhibit their ability to build relationships. Staff are building their own resilience and maintaining a nurturing approach to children’s care. As a result, children are building trusted relationships with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s needs, and their care is well planned. Children’s plans detail their needs and risks. Plans give staff clear guidance to provide care for children that promotes their well-being and safety. There has been a reduction in incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff take action to prevent and respond to incidents. Staff are vigilant, and often their actions have successfully prevented children from being at risk.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand how to respond in the event of an allegation. Allegations have been appropriately recorded and reported. However, on one occasion, the manager carried out an investigation into an allegation when she had been part of the incident. Therefore, it was not an objective investigation. Managers have not ensured that children have adequate support from the local authority, particularly to understand their care plans. The escalation of this has been ineffective and insufficient.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has met the requirement and recommendation from the last inspection. The manager has a realistic view of the challenges at the home and where further development is required to improve children’s experiences. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/07/2023 Full Good 04/01/2023 Full Good 22/08/2018 Full Good 07/03/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 4

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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, The 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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c)(d)) 26 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the investigation of allegations being objective. 26 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 5

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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

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1241975 6 regulates and inspects 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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