Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 1 SC479650 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, five children were living in the home. They spoke with the inspectors about their experiences of living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 27 February 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2024 Full Good 15/03/2023 Full Good 09/02/2022 Full Good 04/12/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are making significant progress in all areas of their lives. They said that they are happy living in the home and feel safe. Children are supported to develop positive, trusting relationships with staff and each other. They are cared for by highly motivated and committed staff, who are dedicated to supporting the children to meet their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children live in a homely and loving environment. Photos of the children and staff having fun and memorable times are on display throughout the home. This helps the children to develop a strong sense of belonging in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are helped to move in and out of the home in exceptionally well-planned ways. The manager, staff and therapists complete a thorough assessment before children move in. When children move out, they are encouraged to keep in touch.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff adopt a therapeutic parenting approach that is integrated into all aspects of care. This promotes positive outcomes and leads to excellent progress for the children. The children and staff have developed extremely strong and trusting relationships. Staff have excellent knowledge and skills. They explore highly sensitive topics with children, which supports children’s overall well-being effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children attend school and are making substantial progress in their education. The staff have high aspirations for the children to achieve their academic potential. This support ensures that children are helped to develop the skills they need to achieve their ambitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are registered with relevant health services. Access to in-house therapeutic support enables children to address past experiences. The therapists also provide support and guidance to staff, enabling them to reflect on and understand the children’s current and emerging needs. During the inspection, the medication cabinet was not securely locked as the key was left inside. However, the manager took swift action to address this to ensure that the children are always kept safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff regularly encourage the children to express their wishes and feelings. This is achieved through regular meaningful discussions. Staff support children to be involved in their day-to-day care, including choosing activities and meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Direct work carried out with the children is of consistently high quality and responsive to the children’s needs. Staff use research-informed practice to ensure that children receive the best possible advice and support. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 4

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

A strong safeguarding culture underpins practice in the home. Children have very detailed care plans that are updated on a regular basis. They set out known behaviours of the children and provide staff with the knowledge to support the children effectively.

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

Incidents rarely happen in the home. There are clear boundaries in place and a focus on rewarding children for positive behaviour. Staff are nurturing, calm and caring in their approach, and preventative management techniques are embedded. Relationships between staff and children are strong. They provide a solid foundation for the children to thrive.

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

Staff collaborate closely with families. They foster a strong partnership to achieve shared goals for the children. Staff keep in touch with families, so they know what is happening in the child’s life. One parent said, ‘My son is doing brilliantly. I feel at ease knowing he is there.’

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

Children have not gone missing from this home. Detailed risk management plans show what staff must do if this were to happen, and staff clearly understand the risks associated with children going missing from the home. Staff have built trusting and meaningful relationships, and the children say they enjoy spending time with the staff.

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

Children are educated on how to keep safe online. Home internet monitoring systems add a further layer of security. This helps to address potential internet risks and ensure that children are educated about how to stay safe online, and their safety is prioritised.

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

Safer recruitment checks are completed for all new employees. This ensures that the staff employed by the home are safe to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by an experienced registered manager who is enthusiastic, committed and highly motivated. The manager has ambitious visions for the home and is held in high regard by children, their family members, staff and other professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by an experienced and committed deputy manager. Together, they are an effective and highly capable management team. Their oversight and proactive approach ensure that the delivery of care is child-centred, highly effective and efficient.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team development is a high priority. The staff are consistently learning and refining their skills, which ultimately results in the delivery of exceptional care for the children. Leaders and managers have high aspirations for staff and have equally high aspirations for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 5 Team meetings take place regularly to give staff the opportunity to come together and share their skills and knowledge. The therapists also attend to offer support to staff. This enhances the staff’s practice and understanding of the children’s lived experiences and trauma.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Collaboration with multiple agencies is a notable strength in the home. One professional said, ‘There is nothing the home could do better.’ The manager and staff value the input from external professionals in relation to the care and safety of the children. Consequently, this is embedded in their everyday practice and has an exceptionally positive impact on the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff experience a genuine sense of appreciation for their work, contributing to excellent staff retention. This stability ensures that the children consistently receive care from familiar adults who know them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has implemented highly effective monitoring systems to ensure that he has exemplary oversight of practice in the home and the progress children make. Children’s records are maintained to a high standard. This ensures that the children consistently receive outstanding care. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that medication is stored safely in line with managing medication in care homes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 35, paragraph 7.17)

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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: SC479650 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: Hexagon Care, 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton-on- Ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ

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Inspectors

Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC479650 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 children looked after , safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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