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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspected 19 Mar 2025 · URN 2613627

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Summary

Outstanding

Sarah McGow

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    Hexagon Care Services Limited

  • Inspection date verified

    19 Mar 2025

  • Inspectors verified

    Sarah McGow

  • Helped and protected verified

    Outstanding

  • Leadership and management verified

    Outstanding

  • Overall effectivenesssingle source

    Outstanding

  • Name on report verified

    2613627

  • URN verified

    2613627

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2024.

  • OverallOutstanding
  • Helped and protectedOutstanding
  • Leadership and managementOutstanding

12% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Outstanding (12,716 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+86Very positivemore positive than 57% of reports of this type graded Outstanding
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Outstanding.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseoutstandingexcellentpositivestronghappyflourishsafehighly effective
Criticismconcernslimited

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspection positive critical

Strengths

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Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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No next steps set out.

What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
8
Words of findings
1,168
about usual (typical 1354)
Reading level
Fairly hard
Flesch 54, typical 49
Average sentence
14 words
Next steps
0
typical 1
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 77%About the inspection 23%

Full report text

Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.1

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 provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties. During this inspection period, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. This child was living at the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2025.

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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: 26 February 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2024 Full Outstanding 14/03/2023 Full Outstanding 25/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is happy and loves living at this home. Staff have inspired and empowered children, both past and present, to be themselves and develop their own identity. They give children extensive support, resulting in them having a sense of their own views, interests, and religious beliefs. Children feel a strong sense of belonging to the home. They feel safe and comfortable. The child currently living at the home described the home as ‘amazing’ and said, ‘I do not want to live anywhere else.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Overall, children benefit from excellent relationships with staff. Children are treated as individuals and enabled to be involved in the care they receive. Staff treat children with respect and show affection. This results in the children having close bonds with all staff. Children seek comfort and nurture from staff, knowing this will be reciprocated. When a child moves out of the home, they maintain lifelong relationships with staff. The child currently living at the home also described staff as being ‘like family.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children, both past and present, make remarkable progress because of the quality and consistency of care that they receive from staff. Staff have high aspirations for children and want them to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their lives. Staff help children to see how far they have come and celebrate their success. The managers and staff are incredibly proud of the children. One child’s parent said, ‘I have not been hopeful at all for [child’s name], however, since they moved to this home, I am extremely hopeful about their future.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have positive experiences when moving out of the home. Transition plans are extensive. Staff work closely with the child and their new home to provide a safe and exciting new chapter in their lives. In preparation for their move, the child develops skills that are realistic of adulthood. Staff empower them to be independent and confident in the next stage of their life. One professional said, ‘[Child’s name] move into adulthood would have been impossible prior to them moving into this home. This home has made a significant difference to their future outcomes.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand the importance of positive life experiences and they help children to make happy memories. Children, both past and present, have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences. They are encouraged to take part in activities that they enjoy, including ice-skating, designing their own clothes, football stadium tours, fishing and more.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child currently living at the home enjoys spending time with their family. Staff understand the importance of family time and provide positive environments to help the child’s family relationships flourish. Staff respect the child’s privacy and implement strategies to help the child to have safe quality time with their family. The child said that their time with their family is the best it has ever been. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 4 Staff work closely with external agencies and children’s families. Professionals and parents speak extremely highly about the care and support that their child receives in this home. They describe high-quality care, excellent communication, and knowledge of the children. Staff go above and beyond to ensure children are safe and happy.

p.3

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

The child’s safety is an absolute priority of the managers and staff at this home. The child is confident to speak with the manager and staff if they are worried. Staff carry out extensive work with the child to support them to understand their risks and to help them to make safe decisions and experience risks that are appropriate for their development. There is a significant reduction in the child’s incidents of going missing from the home.

p.4

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

Risk assessments are thorough, regularly reviewed and updated. These provide clear strategies and direction for staff. Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s risks and how to keep the child safe. There is regular communication between the manager and staff, providing consistency in safeguarding practice.

p.4

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

Incidents are rare. Staff are confident and skilled in supporting the child when incidents do occur, keeping the child safe. Staff also understand their roles and responsibilities to safeguard all children. They take prompt action to raise and respond to safeguarding concerns for all children, including those who do not live at this home.

p.4

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

The approach to the recruitment and induction of new staff is thorough and safe. When concerns emerge about staff, appropriate safeguards and thorough investigations are carried out. This ensures that the child is cared for by suitable adults.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been a change in manager since the last inspection. The new manager registered with Ofsted in March 2025. They are an exceptional leader who is focused on children’s achievements and progress. This exceptionally strong and effective leadership creates an environment where children thrive. Leaders and managers are aspirational and strive for children to experience the best possible care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are determined to ensure every child’s safety and happiness. They are tenacious in advocating for children and provide persistent challenge to cement positive experiences and outcomes for them. This extends to children’s families. One parent said, ‘The manager is trying to keep my family together as much as they possibly can.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been staffing changes, but the effect on the child has been minimal. The child’s relationship with staff continues to flourish.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are happy working here. They speak highly about the manager and deputy manager, saying they feel ‘valued’ and ‘supported.’ There is a keen focus on the development of staff. Supervision sessions provide staff with the time to reflect on their Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 5 practice and identify any developmental needs. The manager responds quickly to any identified learning needs and ensures staff are equipped to fulfil their role to the highest standard. Team meetings and consultations with the in-house therapist are regular and meaningful. Staff learn from each other, and their therapeutic practice is developed and personalised to the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has diligent systems in place to ensure effective oversight of the operation of the home. These systems highlight any strengths and areas for development. The manager has a clear vision for the home, and continued development is a priority. Although in its infancy, the manager’s development plan is being implemented and outlines strong plans for further improvements moving forward.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 6

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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: 2613627 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: Unit 1 Tustin Court, Riversway, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ

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Inspector

Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2613627 8 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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