Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 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 provider. It provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties. Four children live at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023. The manager is experienced and holds a qualification in leadership and management at level 5.

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Information about this children’s home

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 17 October 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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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: 2494962 2

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Findings 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

Ofsted did not identify any specific concerns with regard to the information that Ofsted had received.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are well cared for. They benefit from the constructive relationships that they have built with staff. This is achieved as children are cared for by an established, permanent and committed staff team. Staff recognise the importance of building strong relationships with the children. This helps the children to trust the adults who care for them, and so they continue to make good progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy varied social and leisure activities. In recent months, children have been to the cinema, safari parks, a bowling alley and a restaurant. They have attended firework displays, along with spending time with their family and friends. When at home, the children like to play pool and board games. They enjoy film nights and play on their game consoles. This provides children with new and enjoyable childhood experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a positive environment. The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Any maintenance required in the home is completed swiftly. The array of soft furnishings, ornaments and photos of the children enjoying their activities provides a homely atmosphere.

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Findings from the inspection

Children do not go missing from this home. They are kept safe, and their safety is promoted. Staff follow the provider’s safeguarding procedures when matters arise. When allegations are made, procedures are adhered to and all the relevant professionals are informed.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff provide children with consistent care. This helps the children to feel safe. Staff are clear about the care and support each child requires and the vulnerabilities each has. When individual children struggle emotionally, staff work to adapt the care provided to meet the child’s changing needs.

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Findings from the inspection

There is close partnership working with other professionals and agencies to ensure that all aspects of a child’s needs are considered and supported. Children’s written risk assessments and support plans are kept up to date. This provides staff and children with details of how staff should care for them.

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Findings from the inspection

There is established, effective internal and external monitoring of the operation of the home. Thorough oversight is undertaken by the manager, the responsible individual and the independent visitor. When shortfalls are found, these are quickly addressed. Audits include matters that relate to safeguarding the children. These Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 3 make certain that the required procedures and practices are implemented and followed to meet the requirements of the regulations. This enhances and maintains the high standard of care that is provided to children and that helps to keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff continue to receive good training opportunities. They attend the provider’s mandatory training. This includes training in first aid, behaviour management and safeguarding, and physical intervention. In addition, staff access more specialist training that reflects the individual needs of the children in their care. This provides the staff with the knowledge and skills to be able to provide good, individualised care to children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager encourages the staff to reflect on their practice through formal supervision sessions, staff meetings, handovers and open discussions. Staff say that they receive excellent support from the manager and that they work well as a team.

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Findings from the inspection

The recommendation made at the previous inspection was not reviewed during this inspection. This will be explored at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/10/2023 Full Outstanding 14/02/2023 Full Outstanding 09/03/2022 Full Good 05/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage the children to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ that support them to view and contribute to the record in way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Oliver Scrimshaw

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Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 7 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494962 8

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