Children's Home run by New Horizons NW Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 1 Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) 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 is registered to provide care for three children with emotional and social difficulties and/or 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 is pending registration with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/01/2024 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build positive relationships with staff. Children speak fondly of staff and have developed positive connections that support them to make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend school. The manager and staff work closely with education to promote progress in each child’s education. One child had difficulty in attending school, and the manager arranged for a tutor to attend the home until the child could return to lessons. This created continuity of learning and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand the importance of self-care and a healthy lifestyle. Staff provide key- work sessions to help children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. Discussions in relation to negative health trends take place, including issues such as vaping. All children are registered with local health care professionals and supported to attend appointments as required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are prepared for independence. Children are involved with planning menus and, where appropriate, assist in the preparation of meals. One child likes to bake and will regularly ask staff to buy ingredients. This helps to develop their independence skills in accordance with children’s age and abilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well. Children are supported to express their wishes, feelings and emotions, both when calm and when dysregulated. One child said, ‘They [staff] help me understand kind hands and how to be patient.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s interests are promoted through new experiences and access to activities. Staff encourage children through incentives and rewards to reflect on events in their lives. In doing so, children choose events that are meaningful and interest them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress in all areas of their life. Through key work, children can take ownership of their progress, which develops their confidence and self-worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know who to speak to if they need to raise a worry or concern. Staff promote a transparent environment where children’s views and experiences are central to their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive planned admission to the home, along with transition support upon leaving. Children feel valued and part of a caring team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with those who are most important to them. Staff encourage family time and visits through providing transport and communication for children. This promotes a sense of connection and the sustained involvement of wider family. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 4

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

Children are protected and kept safe. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of children, including their life experiences. Staff can respond to the needs of children quickly and effectively to de-escalate incidents.

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

Positive behaviour is celebrated through incentives and self-reflection with children. All children have individual risk and behaviour plans available. These are updated and reflect their current needs.

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

Children live in a safe environment. The manager and staff complete regular safety checks in the home. Damage or décor needs in the home are completed quickly, maintaining safety and positive presentation of the home.

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

Following an unsettled period in the home, there has been a significant reduction in restraint being used. The manager requested a formal review of all restraints to aid staff in learning from these and strengthening de-escalation techniques. Staff are trained to hold children safely.

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

There has been a reduction in missing episodes. Children rarely go missing and when they do, staff are proactive in contacting the child and their associates and searching the local area. Therefore, children are returned quickly and safely to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is experienced and child centred. Children and staff express confidence in the manager and commend the positive changes brought to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has made significant improvements in staff stability and morale. Team building exercises and learning sessions have contributed to an effective and efficient permanent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are safely recruited and undertake an induction and training programme that incorporates shadowing experienced staff members prior to starting in the home. This supports children to become familiar with new members of staff at the earliest opportunity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reviews the quality of care provided and invites external audits and advice to enable reflection and learning from events. This has been useful in the use of physical intervention, resulting in a reduction of physical interventions. Staff feel prepared and supported in the management of difficult behaviour and in ensuring that children are cared for safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children have their plans reviewed and are consulted by the manager to participate in their incentives and rewards. This promotes a consistent response to the individualised care needs of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 5 The manager works well with wider professionals. They advocate for the best interests and needs of each child, challenging wider agencies and seeking additional support as required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive supervision that is meaningful and reflective of the needs of both staff and children. Action plans are clear and demonstrate a continued learning ethos in the care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager makes decisions that are informed, evidenced and with consideration of the best interests of each child. This is evident in the transition planning for children who enter or leave the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Most staff have completed the required level 4 diploma or equivalent qualification. Those who have yet to complete it are working towards this and understand the required timescales to complete it. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 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: 2740122 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons (NW) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: New Horizons (NW) Ltd, Unit 17-18, Navigation Business Village, Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Natalie Waterhouse

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Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740122 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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