Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report children's home: 2603286 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Ltd 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 up to four children who have learning disabilities and additional learning needs.

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Information about this children's home

The home is led by a registered manager who is experienced and holds the required qualification.

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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 children's home: 2603286 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2023 Full Outstanding 28/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2603286 3

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outstanding

This home excels at preparing children to become successful adults. Children are at the very centre of all aspects of their care. Staff have detailed plans to monitor progress, however, the learning of independence skills happens naturally and without barriers.

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outstanding

Children live in an environment that is tailored to meet their specific care needs. Managers and staff are fully aware of children’s needs and the challenges they face from having an Autistic Spectrum Condition diagnosis. They are aware of the need for a calm and structured living environment. Children have the option of relaxing in a sensory room. When holidays are being planned for the children that involve busy environments, children are exposed to these environments carefully and over time to build up their confidence.

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outstanding

Children’s views about their care are sought on a regular basis. One method is called ‘voice and choice’. Managers always acknowledge children’s views with a letter written to them. Childrens wishes are acted upon, and this increases their feeling of self-worth.

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outstanding

Staff ensure that all children are encouraged to learn vital skills for when they are living more independently. Children are making excellent progress in developing their skills. For some children, they are learning to be less dependent on adults. This is achieved carefully, with regular review and reflection on progress. For some children, they have made significant progress in meal preparation, and improving family relationships.

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outstanding

Staff use successful methods of positive reinforcement. This has been effective in encouraging appropriate behaviours as some children struggle in community settings, and away from the safety of the home. When children make progress, regardless of the significance, this is reinforced by an appropriate reward. All successes are celebrated at this home.

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outstanding

All children attend a school which is on site. Their attendance and progress are good. When children struggle in the holidays due to lack of a familiar routine, staff provide additional structured activities within the home. This has meant that for those children who require a high level of routine, this has reduced anxiety.

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outstanding

Children say they are safe. Childrens safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance, including how they may be at risk. Detailed risk assessments show how staff must manage these risks. Managers have ensured that the care promotes the Inspection report children's home: 2603286 4 learning of skills so children can grow to be independent young adults. They recognise that children need to make decisions that are controlled and measured. Staff use their knowledge of the children, and their strong relationships, to ensure that over time, risks to children reduce.

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outstanding

All children are clear about their expectations and responsibilities for themselves and others. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions. When behaviours become negative or challenging, staff utilise their strong bonds with children to have reflective and nurturing conversations. Because of this, negative and challenging behaviours reduce. Rarely do staff have to use any physical intervention, and when this has taken place, this has been necessary and proportionate.

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outstanding

Children have several ways to speak up if they are worried or concerned. Foremost, are their excellent relationships with staff. Encouragement to speak about concerns is a strong theme. When children want to express themselves in an alternative way, they can write to managers and can contact their independent reviewing officer or social worker.

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outstanding

Children who go missing from the home receive a coordinated response. Staff are robust in their response to any missing episodes and ensure that risk assessments are effective tools in risk reduction. When children return to the home there is always a thoughtful and nurturing response. Key working helps to identify the reasons for going missing and the finding of solutions to keep children safer.

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outstanding

Suitable recruitment checks are carried out for all staff. The manager is confident that safe recruitment practices are implemented and that staff who are working in the home are safe to do so. Managers are continuously evolving and improving their initial recruitment process, with the intention of only employing the right people to care for vulnerable children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are passionate and knowledgeable advocates for all children. They bring extensive experience. They are qualified and knowledgeable in multiple areas of care. They research areas of development and recognise that to give the very best to the children they need to consistently develop and challenge themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers expect extremely high standards of care from their team. Both the registered manager and deputy work alongside the team to provide a consistent level of care to children, and support and guidance to staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are developing new staff, alongside a core of established and experienced staff. Regardless of length of service, all staff are committed to providing excellent care. Staff turnover has slowed, and managers are highly optimistic of developing and maintaining a strong and reliable team of staff. Inspection report children's home: 2603286 5 Professionals report that children are receiving excellent care. They confirm that living in this home has made a significant difference to children’s progress. There is positive partnership working regarding the team around the child. Professionals say they wish they could clone this home. They say children are empowered, and that staff help shoulder their challenges.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This is an ASC specialist home. As such, managers have ensured that children live in a low sensory impact environment. However, they have maintained a balance of low stimulus, with an ordinary family environment which is full of conversation, humour, and encouragement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers oversight of the home is wide-ranging. They use the independent visitors reports and recommendations to drive forward improvements. They have full oversight of records including handovers, medication procedures and audits of health and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Through regular one-to-one supervisions and appraisals, the manager knows the strengths and areas for development within the team. This has enabled her to develop her staff skills. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about working at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive the relevant training to enable them to deliver child specific care. When a child’s needs change, staff receive additional training relevant to the specific needs of the child. This enables staff to continually meet children’s needs extremely well. Inspection report children's home: 2603286 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 children's home: 2603286 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Hexagon Care, 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton- on-ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: 2603286 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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