Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Leicestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1229762 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

This is a privately run home and it can provide care for up to three children with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were there at the time of inspection. All children’s views were sought as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The homes manager is registered with Ofsted.

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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. Inspectors have 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: 1229762 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

Children enjoy living at the home. Staff have created a homely environment where children are encouraged to make it their own. Children express that they like staff and enjoy spending time with them. Since the last inspection one complaint has been made which was resolved promptly and appropriately by the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised. Children are allowed pets if they wish, and staff teach children the importance of caring for them. Although staff support children with learning independence skills, they do not always recognise the need to support children when they are struggling with such independence tasks. For example, when children have not cleaned their bedrooms to a high enough standard or cleaned out pet cages in a timely manner. This results in children’s rooms not being as pleasant as the could be.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s relatives are happy with the care provided. One family member commented on a child’s improved personal hygiene since moving to the home. This results in relatives feeling assured that children are making progress whilst living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding of what children’s behavioural responses may mean. This is due to staff exploring how children’s past experiences may impact on their emotional responses. For one child, the management team did not recognise the need to liaise with professionals regarding a possible allegation protocol and how best to respond.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager assures that staff are included in the admissions process for children moving to the home. This ensures that staff understand children’s individualised needs. When information is unknown, the manager appropriately seeks clarification. The manager guarantees that staff have the appropriate training to best support children. This is further supported by robust staff development and reflective discussions as a team.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move to or from the home staff carefully consider the impact on other children living at the home. Staff regularly gain children’s views about the changes and ensure that children are encouraged to talk about their emotions. When there is a plan for a child to move from the home, staff work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that this is planned for effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager continues to support the team to ensure written records contain all relevant details. This includes the manager ensuring that her rationales are clearly documented. The manager is mindful that this is an ongoing area for development. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1229762 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2024 Full Good 06/07/2022 Full Good 29/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1229762 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, 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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular this relates to ensuring that staff appropriately report safeguarding concerns to key professionals so that appropriate measures can be put in place. 20 March 2025

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Recommendations

 A child’s bedroom should not generally be entered without their permission, though it may be necessary to establish routines to allow for rooms to be cleaned regularly. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 16, paragraph 3.20).  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4). Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1229762 5

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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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Inspectors

Ellen Monk, social care inspector Laura Copus, social care inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1229762 6 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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Inspectors

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

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