Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 17 January 2023

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/01/2023 Full Good 16/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is living at the home. They are supported by an exceptionally child- focused staff team and have developed positive relationships, enabling them to feel safe, happy and secure. The stability of this placement has reinforced the child’s ongoing development, contributing to greater confidence and a real sense of belonging. The home is welcoming and warm, with the child having a genuine input in the décor and feel of the home. The social worker said, ‘The home has been ideal for [name of child]. Relationships with the staff are excellent and, as a result, the progress made has enabled [name of child] to thrive.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have high aspirations for children. They have ensured that the child is nurtured and provided with every opportunity to support the development of skills and to have positive experiences in preparation for moving on and into adulthood.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Clear and effective care plans are in place. The manager and staff work in partnership with other professionals, as well as encouraging and enabling the child to be fully involved in their own care planning. This means that the child receives consistent levels of care and support while also understanding and contributing to their current and future plans.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted and supported. Staff understand the potential barriers to learning. They work with schools and additional education providers, attending meetings and open evenings to help to prepare the child for leaving school and moving on to college.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support all aspects of the child’s physical, emotional and mental health needs. When additional health support is required, staff support and advocate for the child. This means that the child receives the appropriate health care support to meet their needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Key work is carried out with the child at every opportunity. Staff have developed trusting and strong relationships with the child, which enables staff to talk about difficult behaviours or concerns with them, offering guidance and support. This supports the child and helps them to develop strategies to manage situations appropriately.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said, ‘This is a great place to live. I am very happy here and the staff are more like a family, which makes this home feel like my home.’

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is an open and transparent approach in place to safeguarding. As a result of this, the child feels safe, happy and well cared for. Risk management plans identify Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 4 ongoing and emerging risks, and link directly with an overall safety plan for the child. This means staff understand, and take action to minimise, risks.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know and understand the child well and follow clear and consistent behaviour management strategies. Rewards and consequences are linked to behaviours displayed, which includes discussing and agreeing with the child the most supportive and relevant action to take, whether for a reward or a consequence. All staff have received training and guidance in managing behaviours and understand de- escalation techniques. The need to physically hold a child during crisis is rare and only used to safeguard the child or others from harm. In the one incident when this occurred, comprehensive records show the action taken. Both the child and staff have been able to reflect on the incident, which has helped them to look at ways in which this can be avoided in the future.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager takes seriously any concerns or complaints the child may have and is responsive and supportive in addressing them. There has been one allegation made. The manager ensured that this was fully explored and that the child was supported throughout the investigation. The manager made sure that all professionals involved in safeguarding children were consulted, and although there was no further action taken, the child felt listened to and supported.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff carry out regular health and safety checks in the home to make sure it continues to be safe and comfortable for the child. Staff know the procedures to follow in the event of a fire and explain these to any visitors to the home. These measures help protect children from physical risks.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment and selection of staff follow the organisation’s safer recruitment practice. This promotes the safety of the child by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She provides ambitious and strong leadership, which is reflected in staff’s practice. She recognises the strengths of the home and areas for ongoing development. She is supported by a deputy manager, who shares the same vision and ambition for the service. Staff say they are supported, and view themselves as a dedicated team that works together to provide warm, nurturing and consistent care and encouragement for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff hold relevant qualifications or are in the process of taking their qualifications in residential childcare. They receive regular formal supervision, which enables them to reflect on their practice. In addition, there is access to informal support and guidance, which further enhances their practice. There is a range of training that also contributes to their ongoing practice and provides them with the knowledge and skills to fulfil their role. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 5 The manager understands the needs of the child well, and reflects with the staff team and child on the progress made during the time the child has lived at the home. The manager and the team work in partnership with other professionals to ensure that effective and ongoing multi-agency support is provided to further promote the continuing development and needs of the child. External professionals speak positively about the manager and staff and how they have contributed to the

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

progress the child has made. A social worker said, ‘The approach the manager and staff have in working with other professionals is very much child-centred. This placement has, and continues to have, given the child a true sense of belonging.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager makes sure all aspects of the care are monitored effectively. External monitoring carried out each month offers further independent oversight. The manager addresses any recommendations made from these visits.

p.5

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: 2613677 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 Tustin Court, Riversway, Preston PR2 2YQ

p.6

Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2613677 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7