Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2645184 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 owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home. Three children spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in the home since 21 July 2023. An acting manager began in post on 10 January 2024 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 5 December 2023

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

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: 2645184 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

Children live in the home for a long time. Staff have positive relationships with children. Due to staff shortages, agency staff continue to be used. This impacts on children’s ability to form relationships of trust with all the adults who care for them. However, children can identify staff they would approach with any concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is well decorated and well maintained. Staff ask children to share their views on how the home should be decorated. New furniture has been bought for the communal areas. Children have pets, and staff support them to care for them. Children have ownership of their space and are relaxed and comfortable in their home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children’s education. One child has made significant progress in their school attendance. When children are struggling in their school setting, staff liaise with education professionals to identify more suitable provision. Staff support children above school age to seek employment and engage in volunteering opportunities, such as at a care home for the elderly.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage children to share their views about the home and their care. Staff meet with children weekly to seek their opinions. Staff use this meeting to share information and teach the children about chosen topics, such as the health risks of vaping. Following each meeting, the manager writes a letter to the children and explains what they have done as a result of their views. Children are listened to and feel valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand and meet children’s health needs. They teach children about risks to their health to allow them to make informed decisions. When children are reluctant to attend routine appointments, staff encourage them and offer incentives. One child, who has not attended routine appointments for some time, has recently had all their relevant health check-ups.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to learn skills for independence. They assess children’s skills and identify where they need support. Staff tailor plans to meet children’s individual needs. One child is having driving lessons and another is managing their own budget in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks to children and manage them well. Risk assessments are clear and relevant. They are updated regularly and include strategies for staff to follow. Risks to children are low.

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Findings from the inspection

Children rarely go missing from home. When they do, staff follow their individual missing-from-care plans and make every effort to locate children quickly. Staff Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2645184 3 update missing-from-care plans with new information and learning to ensure that risks to children are minimised in any future episodes.

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Findings from the inspection

Children know how to make complaints and feel comfortable to do so. On the one occasion a child made a complaint, the responsible individual responded to the child quickly and resolved the issue. The child was satisfied with the response they received.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff do not hold children. All staff have training to hold children safely in the event it is necessary to do so. Formal consequences are not used in the home. Staff manage children’s behaviour using their relationships and by teaching them about the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. Children are encouraged to show positive behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has been without a registered manager since July 2023. An experienced manager has joined the home and has applied to register with Ofsted. The manager has shown commitment to the home and children. As a result, morale in the staff team has improved.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager takes action to address issues of concern. The manager has sought feedback from external professionals to understand how to improve practice. Communication between staff and with other agencies has improved. Therefore, children are experiencing a better standard of care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive mandatory training. Improvements have been made to the systems that allow the manager to track staff training. As a result, there are no overdue training courses for staff. Staff are well prepared to meet the needs of the children they provide care for.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision. The manager has ensured that staff have an up-to- date appraisal of their practice. Staff have the opportunity to reflect on their work and plan their development with the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has responded effectively to the recommendations and requirements from the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2645184 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/02/2023 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2645184 5

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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 WS11 0LG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Gemma Waddington

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Inspector

Sarah Huntbatch, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2645184 6 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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