Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

Inspection report children's home: SC482569 1 SC482569 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

The home provides care for four children with a range of needs. Its statement of purpose states that these include social, emotional and behavioural needs, including autistic spectrum disorders. The home cares for children who require a medium to long-term placement.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager has been in post for several years.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Outstanding 07/06/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Outstanding 05/02/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 3

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outstanding

Children are happy and relaxed in this home. Interactions between children and staff are caring, playful and respectful. Staff are nurturing and empathetic. This creates the foundation for children to develop meaningful long-term relationships with them. Children trust staff and look to them for support when they are feeling worried.

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outstanding

One child explained how significantly life-changing their experiences have been since moving into the home. They described the considerable progress they have made emotionally, socially and academically. They said that they will miss the managers, staff and other children, when they move on.

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outstanding

Managers and staff maintain relationships with children and adults who used to live at the home, and their relatives. Adults who previously lived here as children described the staff at the home as their ‘family’ and sometimes, their ‘lifeline’. Staff attend their special events, continue to send cards for special occasions and celebrate when they go on to have their own family. They continue to be there for them in their times of need and continue to support and advocate with professionals in their life when they need it.

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outstanding

The children are celebrated throughout the home, making them feel valued. They have framed photographs, letters and achievements on the walls. They helped to design the colourful cushions in the living room. One child has expressed an interest in art, and they have been encouraged to express their designs on their bedroom walls.

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outstanding

Well-established routines create a positive sense of community amongst the children and staff. At lunch time, the children and staff gravitate towards the dining room. They seamlessly carryout tasks together. For example, setting the table, cooking and baking. The conversation during mealtimes is jovial and they use the opportunity to share ideas and make plans. Children confidently bake and do cake sales to raise money for different charities.

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outstanding

Staff and children engage in lots of activities together and these experiences are captured in memory books for the children. For example, one child is fond of history and they proudly show photographs of them, and a member of staff, at a museum dressed in Victorian clothing. Staff capture moments that are important to children such as walking on the beach for the first time. Children are encouraged to participate in activities they enjoy and start clubs such as gymnastics and theatre school.

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outstanding

The staff prioritise the children’s education and skills development, knowing that this will enhance their life chances and opportunities when they leave the home. All the children are engaged in some form of education. One child had not gone to school Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 4 for two years but now attends school every day. Another child is attending virtual lessons with a longer-term plan of returning to a classroom environment.

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outstanding

Staff help children to strengthen their family relationships and community ties, providing this is safe. For example, one child regularly spends time at their family home. Another child was supported to join the youth ministerial group after listening to their wishes and feelings.

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outstanding

Managers and staff have a good understanding of the children’s lived experiences, behaviours and needs. They collaborate with the in-house psychologist to explore how they can help the children to make sense of their lived experiences. When the children talk to staff about their feelings and past events, staff use the opportunity to help the children to develop new perspectives and resilience.

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outstanding

Staff teach children about healthy relationships and boundaries, and they do not shy away from difficult conversations. For example, staff and children watched a film together about exploitation to help the children understand how perpetrators of abuse operate. Afterwards, staff supported the children to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the movie.

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outstanding

Managers and staff respond quickly to known and emerging risks to keep children safe. After a serious incident in the home, staff spoke openly and honestly about what happened. They answered the children’s questions and acknowledged their feelings. They continued to offer consistent care to all the children.

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outstanding

The home has a positive approach to supporting children’s behaviour. Managers have embedded new models of care into practice since the last inspection. This has seen a reduction in physical interventions. The home environment, and staff practice, teaches the children that they are worthy of care, love and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers of this home are inspirational. The registered manager has won an award recognising her excellent practice in residential childcare. An article was written about her work and ethos. The registered manager and deputy manager have been asked by a charity, which specialises in child sexual exploitation, to deliver a seminar. They are good role models to the children, their staff team and the industry.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are strong advocates for the children. They strongly challenge other professionals if they perceive them to fall short of their duties towards the children. For example, managers challenged a local authority about the appropriateness of ongoing family time after a child made new disclosures. Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 5 Managers set high standards for staff and staff are committed to achieving them. Staff speak positively about the children and working in the home. One staff member said that the home feels like their family, rather than work. Staff benefit from working in a supportive environment where they are trained to meet children’s needs. They receive regular supervision and meet with the in-house psychologist each month.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers hold the children in high regard, and they are focused on securing good outcomes for them in the future. Their practice is informed by research; they understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences and the vulnerability this creates in adulthood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers model how to give children choice and control that are age appropriate. They have monthly meetings with the children to listen to their views and explore their experiences at the home. This teaches the children to confidently assert themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers complete regular audits covering children’s records, incident records and medication. They continuously take learning from practice. Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 6

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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: SC482569 7

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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, PR2 2YQ

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Inspectors

Tara Webb, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Nicola Lownds, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC482569 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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