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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1236771 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 operated by a private organisation. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. They spoke to the inspectors about their experiences of living there.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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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: 20 February 2024

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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: 1236771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good 24/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1236771 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children like living in the home. They say that they are happy and settled. Children receive consistent and nurturing care from a stable staff team. They are treated with dignity and respect and know that staff care about them. Staff support children to make progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children are positive. Children enjoy spending time with staff both inside and outside of the home. They can talk freely to staff and feel listened to. Staff are focused on the children and understand their needs exceptionally well. They talk about the children with warmth and enthusiasm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education. The manager worked proactively and creatively to secure alternative education for children when they could not attend school. This has enabled children to receive education that meets their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the children’s healthcare needs and support children to attend health appointments. They try different and creative ways to improve the children’s physical and emotional well-being. One health care professional said the care and support offered to the children is excellent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff nurture children’s individual interests and encourage them to try new activities. One child is being helped to care for small pet animals of their choice. Children enjoy holidays abroad and in the UK, which they help to choose and plan.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a large warm and welcoming home. Children’s bedrooms are spacious and furnished to meet their needs. Communal areas are comfortable and homely. There is a ‘chill out’ room for children to relax and play games. Children have a strong sense of belonging in the home.

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

Children are safe and protected. Their risks and vulnerabilities are well understood, and their risk plans are individualised and clear. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding processes and know what to do if they have a concern. However, online risks for one child are not thoroughly documented, nor routinely monitored.

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

Children are encouraged and supported to take risks appropriate to their age and understanding. An older child is being supported to develop their independence skills to help prepare them for adult life. Children do not go missing and do not need to be held to keep them safe. This indicates that children feel safe and secure living at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236771 4 Staff are trained in a therapeutic model which helps them to understand and manage children’s behaviour and experiences. They consistently promote positive behaviour and use creative and fun ways to praise and reward children.

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

Staff have regular conversations with children about topics relevant to the children’s safety and well-being. Children receive help and support to understand and manage their feelings and behaviour safely.

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

Effective planning is taking place to ensure that children moving out of the home have a positive experience. Staff keep children up to date about plans and support them to understand and resolve any concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and committed to her role. She is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable deputy. Together, they promote a nurturing culture in the home and are focused on improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations for herself, the staff and the children. She knows the children and the staff exceptionally well. Staff enjoy working in the home. They feel valued and supported by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions and team meetings, which provide them with opportunities for reflection and learning. Staff complete training. However, not all staff have attended training specific to the children’s needs or kept their skills and knowledge up to date. Recording of training completed is not current.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively and effectively with other agencies and professionals for the benefit of the children. A health professional said that the home is ‘very professional and child-focused’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided to the children. She understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. Her oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236771 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff complete training which is specific to the needs of the children in their care and that this is updated in line with policies and procedures and accurately recorded. 31 January 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are safe online and that any relevant information about their online usage is recorded in children’s risk assessment plans. (Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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: 1236771 6

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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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Inspectors

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1236771 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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