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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 1 SC482569 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for four children with a range of needs. Its statement of purpose states that these include social, emotional and behavioural needs, including autism spectrum disorders. The home cares for children who require a medium- to long- term placement. The ethos of this home is to refer to staff as carers, therefore

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post for several years.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were 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 good

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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: 16 January 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: SC482569 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/01/2024 Full Outstanding 07/06/2022 Full Outstanding 07/06/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There were four children present during the inspection. The inspector saw all of the children and spent time talking with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children flourish living in the home because the registered manager has high expectations of them and helps them to achieve desired goals and outcomes. Children expressed that they feel ‘lucky’ to have the registered manager in their lives because she makes them feel safe, respects them and brings out the best in everyone. She demonstrates exemplary care and commitment towards the children and their families, modelling this approach to those working in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children and carers have strong relationships and their interactions are affectionate, empathetic and playful. Carers prioritise children’s needs and show them they are valued and loved. Children are confident to express themselves because carers listen to them, take an interest in their views and quickly respond to their needs. Children trust carers because they consult with them, fiercely advocate on their behalf, and act in their best interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager and carers have a strong track record of helping children return to education after long periods of disengagement. For example, two children struggled to attend school prior to moving into the home, now they are completing their GCSE exams. Another child has made exceptional progress by catching up with the curriculum and exceeding expectations. Children are motivated and have career aspirations because carers inspire them to think positively about themselves and their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The psychologist and carers help children to grow in confidence and self-esteem. They skilfully support children to explore their identity and the impact of past experiences. They tactfully navigate these conversations, helping children to adjust their perspective and develop new (positive) beliefs about themselves. For example, they support children to shift away from the belief that they are solely responsible for their siblings, helping them to recognise that they are also children deserving of love and care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager stands up for children’s rights and challenges professionals to secure positive outcomes for them. For example, she successfully petitioned the company to pay for a child’s education programme when the local authority refused to fund it. The registered manager has also challenged professionals when family time fails to meet children’s needs. Carers have organised for siblings and friends to visit the home and have sleepovers, knowing how important these relationships are to the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children who move out of the home tend to remain in contact with the registered manager and carers. They still perceive the team as their family and readily take up opportunities to see them. For example, one young adult recently moved out of the home to attend university. She told the inspector that when she returns for visits, she Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 4 struggles to leave because she missies them. Another young adult, who used to live in the home, met carers in London for a catch up and proudly showed them her place of employment. This was important to her because carers inspired her career choice.

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

The registered manager and carers have an excellent understanding of children’s experiences, needs and vulnerabilities. They know how children individually present when they are experiencing emotional distress and how this influences their behaviours. Carers approach children with empathy, giving them the time and space to express their feelings. They work collaboratively with children in order to keep them safe and anticipate children’s needs, intervening to help them in moments of crisis.

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

The company has employed a psychologist to work in the home and she has strengthened carers’ understanding of relationship-based practice. The children have weekly therapy sessions to help them process and make sense of their lived experiences. These are delivered flexibly and in accordance with the children’s needs. Children can invite their carers to their therapy sessions, which means conversations can be continued as and when children need this.

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

The therapeutic approach is helping children to develop their emotional awareness, literacy and resilience. For example, they openly talk to carers about noticing harmful impulses and how they stopped themselves from acting on them. Children are becoming skilled at recognising their emotional states and how to manage them. This is a remarkable achievement. However, carers recognise that it takes practice to become sustained. They are patient with the children, which helps them to become patient with themselves.

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

Carers deliver high-quality individualised care and this means that children trust them to provide the right support when they experience feelings of despair. For example, one child who has a history of frequent self-harm has been supported to reduce this behaviour, using the strategies taught by carers. Another child has worked with carers to create a safety plan that has reduced her missing episodes. The registered manager worked with the social worker and police to ensure the plan was suitable and effective.

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

Incidents linked to behaviour are relatively low and carers use physical interventions sparingly. There have been some relationship difficulties between the children, but carers have managed these well, helping children to reflect on their behaviours and how they impact others. As well as reminding children to show compassion towards each other as they are all experiencing their own unique challenges.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is committed to ensuring that children have positive outcomes. She has developed a culture in the home where children’s needs, wishes and feelings come first and are at the centre of decision-making. Managers and carers have a strong understanding of children’s rights, and they fiercely advocate for them, for example Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 5 challenging local authorities about children’s education, family time and need for specialist assessments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are committed to learning and using research to inform their practice. They have adopted a self-critical stance since the last inspection and decided they wanted to embrace therapeutic parenting styles. They understand that relationships are key to helping children achieve lasting change. They have a clear vision for the home, and they have a strong understanding of the strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and carers have lots to celebrate about their delivery of care. For example, they were the first children’s home to win a highly regarded national award in November 2024. Two of their children won the company’s progress awards in May 2024. The registered manager and psychologist are making plans to contribute to a therapy conference next year, sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. They continue to support children with their charity endeavours, helping them to understand the value of positively contributing to their communities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Outwardly, carers present as happy and relaxed around the children. However, there have been challenges with team dynamics since June 2024. Managers have spent considerable time supporting staff and consulting with HR. To date, staff tensions have had minimal impact on children. However, managers are aware that this could have a profound impact in the future. They are working collaboratively with the responsible individual to address this. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 6

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC482569 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

Tara Webb, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC482569 8 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 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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