Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 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 run by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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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 these inspections, 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: 2586951 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

A permanent staff team has been recruited to the home. They provide children with consistent care. Because of this, children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. These relationships mean that children are willing to accept support to help them progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is going through a process of redecoration following changes to the fire doors. Despite this, the environment remains warm and homely. The communal areas are clean and tidy. However, children’s bedrooms are not. For example, partly eaten food, cups and bowls are left in children’s bedrooms.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged and supported to take part in education. Staff understand that there are barriers to children learning, and work with professionals to help them access an academic provision that meets their needs. Consequently, children living at the home are receiving education and have the chance to develop new skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to take part in activities of their choice, and encourage them to try new activities, such as cadets. This supports children with their social development.

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Findings from the inspection

In accordance with the requirement set at the previous inspection, leaders and managers have ensured that staff are trained in restraint practice. In addition, there has been a reduction in missing-from-home incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have individualised plans that include detailed information about their risks and strategies for staff on how to manage these. However, not all plans have been updated with children’s current risks, to ensure that there is always an effective response to managing children’s behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the management arrangements. Currently, the home is being led by an acting manager who is supported by the responsible individual. The registered manager post remains vacant, despite efforts by leaders and managers to recruit a permanent manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Instability in the leadership team has resulted in limited management oversight. For example, staff have not received regular supervision, and guidance about their practice has, at times, been contradictory. This does not give staff confidence in the leadership of the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/09/2023 Full Good 10/05/2022 Full Good 25/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 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 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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers should ensure that risk management plans are updated to accurately reflect children’s current risks. 2 January 2025

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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

promotes their welfare. 2 January 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 5 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;

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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 has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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. (Regulation13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that leaders and managers use monitoring systems effectively, to monitor the quality of care provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers should ensure that staff regularly have the opportunity to take part in formal supervision.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are encouraged and supported to keep their bedrooms clean. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Gemma Waddington

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Inspector

Chibuzo Otache, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2586951 7 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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