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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 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 is a private children’s home registered for up to four children. The home’s statement of purpose states that children living in this home may have a range of social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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. The inspector has 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: 2531921 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

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home and one child has moved in. Staff are sensitive to children’s needs when they move into the home. Children who live in the home are spoken to about plans for new children to move in.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is welcoming, and children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their individual tastes. However, some areas of the home need to improve, for example the bathrooms and the windows would benefit from being updated.

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Findings from the inspection

The children living in the home attend education, where they are making progress. Since the last inspection, the number of subjects one child is studying has increased and they are now able to complete examinations. Staff ensure that children who attend school on a part-time basis have plans in place for informal learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care plans are up to date and reflect local authority plans. However, plans do not include children’s wishes and feelings. This does not demonstrate that staff have consulted with children as part of the plans for their future.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children participate in planned direct work sessions. These include discussions about emergency services, personal safety and fire safety. Direct work takes place following incidents, which gives children the opportunity to reflect on their behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments set out clear plans with detailed strategies for staff to follow in practice. This means that when incidents occur, the response of staff is consistent and in line with children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager oversees staff practice in the home via audits and regular reviews. However, managers are not routinely analysing and evaluating this information to celebrate or continually improve staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Supervision is taking place regularly for all staff, including the manager. However, supervision records do not demonstrate that staff are always given the opportunity to reflect on their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager ensures that the statement of purpose is updated when changes occur. The statement of purpose is sent to Ofsted in line with regulation. This means the regulator is kept updated about any changes in relation to the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 3 The registered manager uses feedback from external monitoring reports. She addresses any actions in a timely manner. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/08/2022 Full Good 07/09/2021 Full Good 17/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 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, 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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that incidents are evaluated to establish patterns and trends and identify areas of learning in order to make continuous improvements. 26 February 2024

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7 (1)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children can contribute to their support plans. 26 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, 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)  The registered person should ensure that the home maintains a clean and well- kept environment which supports children’s physical, mental and emotional health. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 7

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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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Inspectors

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector James Meeks, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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