Children's home run by New Horizons (Stockport) Limited in Stockport

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 1 SC386837

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Registered provider: New Horizons (Stockport) Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home, providing care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2009.

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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. 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: SC386837 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and one child has moved in. Staff were able to provide support to the children during these moves in line with their wishes. Children feel supported and have a positive experience when moving in and out of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a welcoming environment. Since the last inspection, there has been some refurbishment of the home, including repairs to the roof and further personalisation of the children’s bedrooms. These improvements help the children develop a sense of belonging.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported whenever possible to take safe and appropriate risks, in accordance with their care plans and developmental needs. Staff complete risk management plans for each child, enabling them to identify and understand the risks faced by the children and maintain consistency in protecting them from harm.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been instances of children going missing from home. Staff take swift action to ensure that children who are missing return safely, adhering to established missing-from-home protocols. They follow the children to encourage their return.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a stable staff team that is committed to achieving positive outcomes for children. Staff report feeling well supported by managers and colleagues, which helps to ensure that children receive consistent care. Supervision sessions and team meetings are used as opportunities for reflection and staff development.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has improved her workforce plan, which clearly outlines all training completed by staff and identifies when further training is required. This allows the registered manager to better track the training and development of the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

The building is safe, with suitable fire prevention arrangements, including regular servicing of fire equipment. However, the fire risk assessment does not address the key-type lock on one evacuation point, and staff have not practised evacuation procedures for various scenarios, such as leaving the home using the locked back door. Additionally, one staff member was unaware of the fire extinguisher locations. These issues may hinder staff’s ability to ensure children’s safe and swift exit in an emergency.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced, and she is implementing better monitoring systems to maintain a comprehensive overview of the home and the progress of the children. The manager has high expectations and Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 3 aspirations for the children and leads by example. All requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/03/2023 Full Inadequate 13/01/2022 Full Good 10/03/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

make arrangements for persons working at the home to receive suitable training in fire prevention; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that they consult with an appropriately qualified and experienced individual to ensure that the fire risk assessment is suitable for the home. They must also ensure that evacuation points with locks are fully risk assessed and that staff are aware of the locations of fire extinguishers. 20 November 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (Stockport) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 154-156 Buxton Road High Lane, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 8EA

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC386837 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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