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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 1 SC482683

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Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services 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 owned and run by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably experienced and is completing the relevant qualification. They registered with Ofsted on 9 November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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. Inspectors have 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: SC482683 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

Two children live in the home. One child has lived in the home for almost three years. They like living in the home and want to live there forever.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection one child has moved out of the home. The child frequently left the home and went missing. Leaders and managers had concern about their ability to keep the child safe. They escalated their concern with the child’s placing authority. However, there was a substantial delay in the child moving out of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is much improved, it is clean, tidy and cosy. The home has been re-decorated and this continues to be a work in progress. The manager has considered children’s views when decorating the home. Children have personalised their bedrooms with their hobbies and interests. As a result, children develop a sense of ownership and belonging.

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Findings from the inspection

Children attend education. One child has started a part-time job alongside their studies. Another child has been able to maintain their attendance at school. A professional said that this is because staff meet their needs ‘fantastically well’.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to cope with difficult events such as bereavement. Staff support children to develop safer ways to express their emotions. They do so with sensitivity and empathy. As a result, children receive comfort and reassurance. This also helps them to understand and make sense of their feelings of loss.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments contain detailed information about children’s needs and risks. They also outline the steps staff need to take to keep children safe. The manager updates children’s risk assessments promptly with any emerging risks. As a result, staff are able to act quickly to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are more vigilant and curious when they are interacting with children. They are able to recognise triggers to children’s behaviour. Such as the push and pull factors when children go missing. Staff go over and above to locate children and maintain contact with them when they are missing. They follow clear procedures and work well with external professionals. This ensures that there is a co-ordinated approach to keeping children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and children work together to devise safety plans for when children spend time in the community. These plans consider carefully where children go and who they spend time with. Staff help children to learn about risk and strategies to keep themselves safe. As a result, children communicate with staff and professionals Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 3 when they feel unsafe. This helps staff and professionals to take prompt action to ensure that they are safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has developed and embedded new systems into practice. The staff team is still relatively new. However, the quality of records has much improved. In particular, the recording of safeguarding incidents. Records clearly outline the action staff take to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection, the manager has worked hard to improve their oversight of the home. The manager has more effective monitoring and review systems in place. They quickly identify shortfalls in the quality of care children receive. The manager takes effective action when necessary to improve the standards of care.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers do not always consider children’s wishes and feelings. In particular, when children return from being absent from the home. For example, staff have stopped replacing damaged furniture in one child’s bedroom. This could potentially have a negative impact on the child’s emotional wellbeing.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations issued at the last inspection are met. As a result of the findings above, a new requirement has been issued. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/02/2022 Full Good 10/07/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(a)(iii)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are considered prior to making decisions about their care. Such as ensuring that they are consistent and do their utmost to make children feel welcome when they return home after a period of absence. 6 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 6

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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, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482683 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 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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