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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 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

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may require support in respect of social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is vacant. A suitably experienced manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 12 and 13 August 2024. Following the inspection, Ofsted issued a compliance notice in relation to safeguarding children. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to judge if the required steps had been taken to meet the compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced new systems for monitoring of the home environment. There are now daily checks that are carried out by the staff. These checks encompass the whole home, including children’s bedrooms. Children are encouraged and supported to keep their bedrooms tidy and clean. There is also now a cleaning checklist for each room.

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This monitoring visit

The bedrooms were viewed as part of the visit. They were found to be free from hazards and well maintained. One bedroom was of particular concern at the last inspection. This room was renovated after the child moved out. Another child has moved in from their bedroom. It is now a positive space and reflects their character and interests. Children are encouraged to take ownership of their bedrooms. An ensuite bathroom had not been thoroughly checked and needed to be cleaned. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 2 The manager has ensured that the home is compliant with fire safety. There were no identifiable hazards during the visit. Children living in the home had suitable routes for escape. Staff carry out daily walk rounds to monitor changes in the environment. One child in the home uses a vape. The staff have had discussions with the child about the risk, resulting in reduced use of the vape in the house and in the

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This monitoring visit

One child spends time in the community independently. They have been identified as being at risk of criminal exploitation. The manager has developed staff practice and understanding around the risk. Staff are professionally curious with the child. They explore the child’s welfare and whereabouts when out of the home and on returning. Staff have a better understanding of how this helps identify concerns and reduces risk. There have been discussions in team meetings to embed the approach to safeguarding. The child’s presentation, when they return to the home, is discreetly assessed. Information is checked and monitored by the manager to identify any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s health and well-being are well supported by the staff. One child has attended a health assessment and a dentist appointment. The staff have engaged in meaningful discussions as to the importance of this. This is significant progress for the child. The staff ensure that children eat a balanced diet. They are encouraged to be involved in menu choices and are supported to cook for one another at home. Children are encouraged to engage in physical activities. A requirement set at the inspection, in relation to health and well-being, has been met.

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This monitoring visit

Although areas for improvement remain, the provider has made progress in addressing the primary concerns following the full inspection in August 2024. The steps set out in the compliance notice are considered met.

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This monitoring visit

The remaining statutory requirements raised at the full inspection in August 2024 will be reviewed at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/08/2024 Full Inadequate 20/02/2024 Full Good 30/05/2022 Full Outstanding 18/05/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 4

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 5 The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(vi)(vii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; 30 September Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 6 ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 7

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 8

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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: Venture House, Prospect Business Park, 12 Prospect Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1234244 9 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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