Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 1 SC481152 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. The provider’s statement of purpose states that it is registered to provide care for up to six boys who have emotional and social difficulties and who require medium-term therapeutic care.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home and one child was on a planned return to live back with family members. Two children spoke to the inspector about their experiences living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home shares the site with a school run by the provider. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/03/2022 Full Good 21/08/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they enjoy living in the home. Children have moved on from the home in a positive way, and the two remaining children are being prepared for semi- independent living in the near future. The staff’s commitment to creating a supportive atmosphere is evident, contributing to children’s feelings of safety and belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work together to provide a nurturing environment that incorporates well- structured routines and consistency for children. This approach enables the children to make progress in their personal development and education. Both boys are at college and have aspirations and a positive outlook for their futures.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Individual work undertaken with the children is of good quality, demonstrating clear and measurable progress. Staff track each child’s journey, ensuring that they are meeting their individual goals. This is particularly important to ensure that the children’s future moves are well planned and that they are supported to feel safe and secure as they move into adulthood.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s meetings provide a platform for children to voice their opinions and participate actively in discussions that affect their lives within the home. Children’s views and wishes are actively sought and considered. The manager carefully addresses any issues raised during children’s meetings. This approach ensures that children feel listened to, and their concerns are managed in a timely and respectful manner, promoting a culture of inclusivity and responsiveness.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Complaints raised by children are listened to and acted on effectively, reflecting the home’s commitment to ensuring that children feel heard and valued. This approach contributes to building trust between the children and the staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to explore their individual interests and also have opportunities to spend time together as a group. Although the limited availability of transport has sometimes posed challenges, staff work diligently to ensure that children have opportunities to pursue their interests, such as trainspotting and going to theme parks.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to lead active lives, participating in a range of outdoor activities, including joining an amateur dramatic group and other engaging experiences. This involvement helps children to develop building their self-esteem and broadens their understanding of the wider world.

p.3

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

Children say that they feel safe living in the home. Risks are effectively identified, and included in relevant plans that are regularly updated and reviewed. This ensures Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 4 that staff remain aware of children’s current and emerging risks and can act promptly to safeguard children.

p.3

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

Strong bonds are developed between staff and children, with positive relationships continuing to grow. These connections help children to feel secure and valued within the home.

p.4

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

Key conversations with children are structured and focused, allowing for open discussions on challenging issues. This ensures that children can explore difficult topics in a safe and supportive environment. This work is further enhanced by support from the organisation’s clinical team, whose members help children to discuss specific issues relevant to their individual needs.

p.4

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

Staff are skilled in using a therapeutic approach, which helps children manage their emotions in healthier ways. Children are given the necessary time and space to regulate their behaviour. Consequently, the use of physical interventions is rare.

p.4

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

Written records have significantly improved since the last full inspection. While progress has been made, there is ongoing work to ensure that staff maintain clarity and objectivity in their written documentation. Social workers have commented positively on the quality of the weekly reports they receive, stating that these reports provide valuable insight into children’s daily lived experiences within the home. However, not all children’s records accurately reflect consent for the alarms used on the children’s bedroom doors.

p.4

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

Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They are proactive in identifying potential safeguarding concerns and are confident in following the necessary procedures to protect children. Children rarely go missing from the home. However, staff are well-prepared and understand the processes to follow if this occurs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and suitably qualified, and she is a positive role model for both children and staff. She ensures that the team maintains a clear, child- focused approach in all aspects of care, consistently prioritising the best interests of the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy working at the home. Their enthusiasm contributes to a stable atmosphere, which supports children’s emotional and social development. This positive environment enhances the children’s overall well-being.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager places a strong emphasis on regular team meetings and supervisions, providing staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice and share feedback. These sessions have been particularly valuable in supporting staff development and ensuring that they can respond effectively to the needs of the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 5 There is a good level of internal and external monitoring. Managers take onboard feedback from the independent person to ensure that they continually develop practice in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 6

p.5

Recommendation

 All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. Case records must be kept up-to-date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. This relates specifically to the alarms used for the children’s bedroom doors (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3).

p.6

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: SC481152 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 Tustin Court, Riversway, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

p.7

Inspector

Colin Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC481152 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8