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

Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 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

The home is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and social difficulties. Children may also have learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 2

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outstanding

Children benefit from being supported by staff who are exceptionally child-focused. The children speak highly of the staff and have an excellent rapport with them.

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outstanding

Two of the children previously lived in another home run by the same organisation. When the home being inspected was registered, the manager and core staff team moved with the children. This provided continuity of support, minimising the anxiety associated with moving and ensuring their daily routines continued with minimal disruption.

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outstanding

Children were involved in the planning of the house move, and this also minimised any stress or anxiety for them. The manager ensured that the planning of the admission of the third child into the home was thoughtfully considered. This included visiting the child at his previous home and his school and spending time getting to know him. Visits to the home were also arranged before the move, and this contributed to a sense of belonging from the start.

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outstanding

Plans for children are extremely well considered and reflect the individual needs of each child. The plans are written in a child-friendly format and discussed with them. This means that the children are aware of and fully involved in their plans. They also benefit from regular key discussions with staff, and these further underpin the progress and understanding of their ongoing care.

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outstanding

All children receive education and make progress from their individual starting points. Education providers who contributed their views during this inspection said that the manager and staff are incredibly supportive and provide continuity of support for each child’s education. One teacher said, ‘The difference in [name of child] since he moved to the home has been wonderful. He arrives for school on time, is happy and thriving. His educational attainment has improved, and staff always ensure that there is effective communication with school staff. They also show a great interest and support his school activities. As a result, he is very settled and making good progress.’ Another teacher said, ‘Staff from the home really understand the needs of [name of child]. His attendance is excellent, and communication with the home is very much a two-way exchange, which is very positive.’

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outstanding

Children benefit from healthy lifestyles. They are encouraged and supported to take part in activities to promote their health, including sports and exercise. Regular key- work sessions help children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles, and discussions in relation to negative health trends take place, including issues such as vaping. All children are registered with local health care professionals and supported to attend appointments as required. Children are involved with planning menus and, Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 3 where appropriate, assist in preparation. This helps to develop their independence skills in accordance with children’s age and abilities.

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outstanding

Children’s hobbies, interests and talents are promoted and encouraged by staff. Children are also developing good links in the local community and have contributed to community-based activities. For example, a coffee morning has been held, and children also sorted out toys and books they no longer used and gave them to charity. There are lots of photos of the children and staff around the home, showing how much they enjoy undertaking activities and going on trips out. This makes the home feel very much like their home.

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outstanding

Staff and children have excellent relationships that are based on mutual respect and trust. Staff have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of children’s previous life experiences. As a result of this, they can respond to any heightened behaviours empathetically and de-escalate quickly when needed.

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outstanding

Positive behaviour is promoted consistently through discussions and activities in the home and community. All children have individual risk management plans in place, which are kept under review and updated with any new or emerging risks, as well as demonstrating when risks are decreasing. Staff have an excellent knowledge of each child and their individual needs. They recognise the changes in children’s behaviour and offer support and guidance to contribute to children feeling safe and well cared for.

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outstanding

The need for children to be held to minimise risk to themselves or others is minimal. When this does occur, staff manage these incidents in a supportive manner. Staff and children reflect following an incident and look at alternative ways of managing behaviours. This enables children to explore different strategies to manage their emotions and feelings, and it enables staff to consider additional ways of supporting a child during their heighted emotional state.

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outstanding

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. Clear individual plans are in place outlining the procedure for staff to follow in the event of a child being missing from care. Staff discuss safety concerns with children, including if they go missing. This provides children with an increased understanding of their own safety. Children say they feel safe and happy at the home. They say this is because the staff really understand them and care about them. One child said, ‘When I get upset or angry, staff know how to calm me down and give me space but also give me a big hug when I want one. It helps me to feel safe and happy here.’

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outstanding

Staff use a restorative approach to behaviour management, which supports children to rectify any negative behaviour in a constructive way. As a result, children feel they are supported fairly. Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 4 Recruitment and selection of staff follow safer recruitment guidance and minimise any risk of unsuitable people working with children or vulnerable people.

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outstanding

Fire safety checks are completed, and regular fire drills are held with children so they know what to do in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She knows each child well and has high aspirations for them. She is supported in her role by an experienced deputy manager. Their enthusiasm and commitment to achieving exceptional outcomes for children are reflected by the whole staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say they feel that the leadership and management of the home are exceptional. The management team is approachable and supportive, offering encouragement and consistency. Staff receive regular formal supervision, which enables them to reflect on their practice. Regular staff meetings also enable the staff to work collaboratively and further ensure consistency and stability for the children living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home operates in accordance with its statement of purpose, which is available to interested parties and on the organisation’s website. Children are provided with an individual children’s guide, which helps them to understand how the home operates.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff access and take part in effective training and development. All mandatory training is up to date, and additional training using research-based practice further underpins their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Most staff have completed the required level 4 diploma or equivalent qualification. Those who have yet to complete it are working towards this and understand the required timescales to complete it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight and monitoring are comprehensive. This ensures that all documentation is current and reflects the needs of the children. There has been some inconsistency with independent monitoring visits to the home. This has been challenged by the manager to maintain independent oversight . Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b)) 1 March 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2740122 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

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2740122 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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