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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2024 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. All children were seen and spoken with by the inspector.

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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 outstanding

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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: 6 December 2023

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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: 2586943 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/12/2023 Full Good 22/03/2023 Full Good 16/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This inspection started on 28 January 2025. The inspector required additional evidence from the provider in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy. This information was received from the provider on 27 February 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has recently moved into the home. Although the child’s move was sudden, they were helped to feel welcome. The manager communicated with professionals effectively and ensured that the child’s bedroom was furnished with their favourite characters.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has returned to live with their family. Their move from the home was positive and they enjoyed a celebratory meal with their peers. The child and the staff remained in contact when the child moved, and this helped them to settle well. This is testament to the long-lasting positive relationships staff build with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are strong relationships between the children and the staff. Children say that they feel happy and enjoy being with the adults who support them. Staff are proud of the children and smile when they talk about them. They are responsive to the children’s needs. Children are developing confidence and making progress in all aspects of their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s school attendance is good and they are working hard to meet their educational targets. Staff advocate to ensure that children have access to appropriate education that meets their individual needs. This support provides children with better opportunities to reach their academic potential and increases their life chances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are consistently listened to by the registered manager and staff. Children have multiple opportunities to have their say, through general chats, children’s meetings and reflective discussions. These opportunities enable the children to learn how to communicate and listen effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy an active lifestyle and their hobbies and interests are well supported. Staff encourage the children to have fun and to engage in activities both in the home and in the community. The children have been on outings to the zoo, walks in the countryside and visits to cathedrals. They have also enjoyed a holiday together. Children have the opportunity to take part in new experiences. For example, one child went swimming for the first time and enjoyed it. These positive experiences help children to build their self-esteem, improve their social skills and develop relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to explore their identity. Staff ensure that children’s cultural identity is promoted and celebrated. Staff have supported one child to explore their culture, and staff have regular discussions with the child’s family to ensure that cultural Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 4 foods are available in the home. Staff support the children to keep in touch with people who are important to them. This helps children to maintain relationships and contributes to their life story.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm and homely environment. There are photos of children displayed throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and comfortably furnished. However, the driveway is in a poor state of repair. This is having an impact on the appearance of the home, both internally and externally.

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

Safeguarding practice is effective. There is a positive safeguarding culture. Managers and staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Children’s personal plans are detailed and regularly updated. This ensures that staff have up-to-date guidance about how to promote children’s safety and well- being effectively. As a result, children are safe and say that they feel safe.

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

The use of consequences is minimal. However, where needed, natural consequences help children to learn from behaviours. Children are involved in devising their own feelings plans and charts around positive behaviours and rewards.

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

Staff use physical intervention as a last resort. When physical intervention is used, it is necessary and proportionate, and children’s views and feelings about being held are gathered. The manager has good oversight of restrictive practice and supports the staff to learn from each incident.

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

The manager responds well to complaints and disclosures from children. The manager responds quickly to concerns and takes the time to talk to the child. Concerns raised about staff conduct are shared with the appropriate safeguarding partners and are managed fairly, quickly and in accordance with guidance. Children are kept informed and are supported and protected.

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

Children’s health needs are understood, and medicines are managed safely. Children understand why they are taking medication and willingly engage with staff when medication is administered.

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

External professionals speak highly of the registered manager and the staff. One professional said, ‘The work that they are doing is exceptional. There has been significant progress. The home is the child’s safe space.’

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

There are effective systems and restrictions in place to keep children safe online. Staff complete daily checks on children’s devices and talk to children about internet safety. This helps to ensure that children’s knowledge of online risks is relevant and that they know how to keep themselves safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an inspirational leader who is enthusiastic and ambitious. He is new in post and already has a comprehensive understanding of the home’s strengths and areas of development. He has effective systems in place to monitor the quality of care. There is a detailed home development plan that demonstrates high ambition for the development of the home and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is unquestionably child focused. He has high aspirations for the children and equally high standards to support positive outcomes. He is committed to the progression of the children, and persistent in advocating on their behalf and to ensure that their needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is committed to adapting the care and support provided to the children and their emerging needs. Through research and creativity, he has introduced child-specific emotional regulation journals using the children’s primary interests. This enables children to understand their own emotions, triggers and behaviours and to support staff to implement strategies to keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak extremely highly of the registered manager. They say that he goes above and beyond to support them and the children. Staff say that he is approachable and supportive and that they enjoy their jobs. The commitment of staff to the care of children is exemplary due to the culture that has been created.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive consistent, reflective supervision. The registered manager is motivated to provide staff with opportunities to develop and has introduced additional training for staff to enhance their skills further. This actively improves the quality of care that staff provide for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been persistent and successful in discussions with the provider to prioritise the issues with the external environment and the impact that this has on children. There is a development plan in place, with target dates to improve the driveway and create a more secure home environment for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 6

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that the home’s environment is well maintained and that work is undertaken to repair damaged areas of the home. 31 July 2025

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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: 2586943 7

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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: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited, Venture House, Unit 12, Prospect Business Park, Longford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0LG

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Inspector

Julia Tompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2586943 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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