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

Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to five children who may experience social, emotional and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 1 February 2016.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were five children living at the home. Three of the children spoke to the inspector about their experiences living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 21 September 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2023 Full Good 16/02/2023 Full Good 23/02/2022 Full Good 09/10/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into and out of the home are planned and well supported by leaders, managers and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented, with photos of the children on display in communal areas. Children’s bedrooms are decorated to a good standard and personalised with posters and portraits that reflect their current interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive well-informed care from staff who are committed to supporting them and making a positive difference in their lives. Staff speak warmly about children and share their pride in their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff. These are developed through a keen interest from the staff team to learn about the children and what interests them. One staff member commented, ‘I don’t even like football, but if the child likes football, I’ll be a footballer for the day.’ In addition, the stability within the staff team means that children have the time to develop trusting and dependable relationships with the staff who care for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children learn the value of learning. Staff talk to children about the benefits of education and support children to attend their academic provision. Any reluctance to go to school is managed thoughtfully by staff, through positive praise and incentive-based rewards.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make steady and measured progress from their starting points. For example, staff and professionals identified one child has grown in confidence since living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to spend quality time with their family. Staff work with family members and professionals to ensure that family time is a pleasant experience for all involved. Children’s associated risks are considered and, where necessary, leaders, managers and staff put measures in place to protect children from any potential harm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Diversity in the home is promoted and individuality is celebrated. Staff listen to children’s requests about how they want to live their lives. Where safe to do so, staff support children to achieve their life choices. This contributes to children developing positive self- esteem.

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

Children feel safe living at the home. This view is supported by family members and professionals, who are confident that staff protect children. In addition, routine health and safety procedures reduce the risk of children being harmed in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 4 Safeguarding incidents are rare. Staff attribute this to the positive relationships that they have formed with the children, which help them understand children’s behaviours and measures that are effective to help them remain calm.

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

Leaders, managers and staff are aware of children’s associated risks. Staff practice is informed by detailed risk management plans that provide staff with a step-by-step guide of the action they should take to safeguard children.

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

There have been two incidents of children going missing from home during the inspection period. Incident records show that staff prioritise children’s safety by searching for children and requesting support from safeguarding professionals to locate the child.

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

The safety and well-being of children is taken seriously by leaders and managers. Potential candidates go through a rigorous vetting process to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. Furthermore, allegations about unsafe staff practice are thoroughly and fairly investigated to ensure that the standard of care afforded to children continues to keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been in post since 2016 and is suitably qualified and experienced. He is supported by a deputy manager, who has vast experience of working in children’s homes. Both have been in their appointed roles for several years and have formed a positive and effective working relationship. This contributes to staff confidence in their leadership of the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective systems in place to support staff. Staff say they receive informal and formal supervision that considers their well-being and highlights good practice and areas of development. In addition, new staff members have access to a detailed induction programme that equips them with skills relevant to their role. A recently appointed staff member said, ‘My induction has been out of this world. I have constant supervisions and they check to make sure I am meeting the criteria. I have learned so much from my senior.’ Furthermore, staff are provided with needs-led training in response to children’s circumstances.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a consistent staff team that is committed, child centred and understands children’s needs. Team meetings are well attended, and discussions evidence a collective focus on improving outcomes for children. Staff refer to the team and children they care for as a family. This joint and positive way of working provides children with a sense of stability and security.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the home. Incidents are rare, but when they do occur these are reviewed by the manager. Children’s placing authority plans reflect children’s current needs and are followed by staff. Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 5 Partnership working is effective. A social worker for one child praised the staff for their approach to multi-agency working, and said staff attend and contribute to meetings focused on children’s care. Other professionals confirmed that leaders, managers and staff routinely update them about children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 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 for children's home: 1221700 7

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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

Chibuzo Otache, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1221700 8 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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