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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 1 Registered provider: New Horizons Nw Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been registered with Ofsted since August 2020. The manager has been registered since September 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2024 Full Good 20/09/2023 Full Outstanding 04/10/2022 Full Good 02/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home and three children have moved in. All moves were well planned to take account of children’s individual needs. Children have trusting relationships with staff, which help them develop a sense of security and belonging. One child said that they want to live at the home ‘forever’. Children who have moved on from the home keep in contact with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a broad range of direct work that enables them to talk about key issues affecting their lives. Direct work is child focused and provides opportunities for children to develop life skills and build confidence. Work completed with children demonstrates how staff help children make informed choices in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend an education provision and have strong aspirations for their futures. They benefit from clear routines and structure that promotes and rewards educational participation. One professional said that one child’s progress has been ‘very significant’ since moving to the home. When children feel that their voices are not heard within education, staff advocate for them effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time together enjoying a range of activities and hobbies. This includes trips to football matches, cinema, community fun days and theme parks. Children are also encouraged to develop their own interests and hobbies, including martial arts. This gives children a sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are confident making new friends. Children’s friends come to visit, which means children feel settled and secure. Children contribute to the local community by volunteering for local charities and taking part in fundraising activities.

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

Children’s risks are known and understood by staff. Risk management plans are kept up to date and are regularly reviewed. Children contribute to their risk management plans, which supports them to understand strategies to stay safe.

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

Children contribute to their behaviour plans, which are reviewed following any incidents. This supports the monitoring and evaluation of behavioural incidents and allows the manager to reflect on how to reduce risks as they arise. Staff receive clinical support from a psychologist, which supports their understanding of children’s individualised de-escalation techniques. This minimises the use of physical restraint.

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

Children have their own missing-from-home plans, which staff know and understand. When children have been reported missing, swift action has been taken to locate Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 4 them. When they return home, children can share their experiences and identify ways to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

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

Children are supported to take age-appropriate risks, which assists them to develop independence. When concerns about children being exploited have emerged, staff have worked comprehensively with multi-agency partners to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has strong relationships with children, staff and professionals. The leadership team is child focused. It ensures that practice is strength-based and takes account of research.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is diverse in gender, skills and experience. Staff who are new to the home benefit from a comprehensive induction plan, and all staff have professional development plans. Staff have regular supervision and annual 360-degree appraisals. This promotes continuous staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works effectively with multi-agency partners to ensure that children’s needs are met. This means that children have access to specialist support when it is needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager secures children’s views in a range of ways. Children take part in individual conversations with the manager and house meetings. Children spoke positively about the opportunities they have to share feedback, which contributes to their feeling of security.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have completed training specific to children’s needs, and managers review the impact of training in team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When children make a complaint, thorough investigations take place. The outcomes of complaints are shared with children, so they understand the conclusions reached.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 5

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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: 2594985 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons Nw Ltd

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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

Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2594985 7 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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