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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 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 provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 8 March 2021.

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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. 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: 2531921 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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Findings from the inspection

The visit was completed following an anonymous complaint about the care provided to children in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is warm and welcoming. This includes children’s bedrooms, which are well presented and personalised to reflect their own interests.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy living in the home and are happy. They receive care from a stable and consistent staff team, who listen to them and are responsive to their needs. This continuity of care helps children to establish trusting relationships with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to attend their education provision. When they are reluctant to participate in education, staff speak to them about the benefits of going to school or college. They also work with professionals to identify children’s barriers to learning.

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Findings from the inspection

External professionals report that staff keep children safe. Staff complete direct work with children to support their understanding of behaviour that is harmful. This provides children with the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe in the community.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers take allegations about poor staff performance seriously. These are thoroughly investigated to ensure that the quality of care provided to children is not compromised.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is experienced and suitably qualified. Staff have confidence in her ability to lead the home. She has a good understanding of the children and their support needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager provides a supportive environment for the staff team. Staff say that they feel supported and are given opportunities to progress in the team. This helps them to feel valued and promotes ownership of their practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2024 Full Good 15/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/08/2022 Full Good 07/09/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s handover document is completed on each shift. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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Recommendations

 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)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the workforce plan includes the experience and qualifications of the staff team, as well as any new training and qualifications completed while working at the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 53 paragraph 10.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children make requests in children’s meetings, they are always provided with a response that explains if the request can be met, along with timeframes for completion. If it is not possible to meet their requests, children should be notified in a timely manner, along with the reasons why the decision has been made. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 22 paragraph 4.10) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2531921 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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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: 2531921 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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