Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Bradford

Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 1 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 is run by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection, and both children were spoken with.

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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: 2674686 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/07/2024 Full Good 17/10/2023 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented. The children’s bedrooms are personalised with their belongings and decorated to their choice. This helps children to experience a sense of belonging. The staff are committed to ensuring that children feel loved. Staff spend quality time with children enjoying activities, where they all share happy memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are relaxed and happy in their home and are comfortable socialising and spending time with staff. Children are making progress in all areas of their lives. This is because staff are consistent in their approaches, follow children’s care plans and ensure that structure, routine and boundaries are in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s psychologist has observed the children develop resilience to help them cope when they feel angry or upset. Staff know how to manage children’s emotional needs and can contact the psychologist for support when needed. Staff receive regular practice-based sessions from the psychologist, where they discuss each child’s individual needs. Advice from the psychologist then informs staff practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to explore their own identities and sexuality when children want to. Staff are non-judgmental and adapt their care to meet each child’s needs. This helps children to feel accepted and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their families and to ensure arrangements best meet the needs of each child. Children’s parents recognise the commitment from the staff, and for one child this means they will be reunified with their family. One parent said, ‘My child feels the staff are like a second family to them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and celebrate children’s achievements. They use a mix of verbal praise and appropriate rewards to acknowledge positive behaviour. This approach boosts children’s self-esteem and encourages them to sustain progress and strive for further achievements.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of the children’s risks and talk to them about individual issues. This reflective approach helps children to understand how some of their actions may be harmful to themselves, and others. Additionally, children’s risk-taking behaviours continue to reduce.

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

Children say that they feel safe and that they like living in the home. Children have not been reported missing from the home. Staff know the protocols in place to help locate children should they go missing. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 4 Physical intervention is used rarely and only when necessary to keep everyone safe. Staff are skilled in using verbal de-escalation techniques in line with individual behaviour support plans to manage any unwanted behaviours. Records of incidents are detailed and include reflective discussions with children and staff. This thoughtful practice supports learning.

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

Children are supported by staff to take age-appropriate risks such as walking to the shops and using public transport. This allows children to take on the responsibility to keep themselves safe when staff are not around.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads by example and is an extremely positive role model for both staff and the children. He has high aspirations for the children to do well, and staff follow this practice. Staff are committed to providing the children with good quality care in a nurturing environment that allows for them to flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is continued motivation from the manager and staff to develop and progress in their roles. Training is not only delivered to the staff but also revisited with the clinical team to help staff to further develop staff skills, and knowledge. This ensures that all training is fully embedded in staff practice. Staff said that they feel valued by their manager and colleagues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers empower staff to develop their own knowledge and skills through developmental activities. To strengthen staff’s skills, they receive excellent guidance and further learning through team meetings and regular supervision. Furthermore, the manager supports staff who experience barriers to developing in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager takes appropriate action and advocates on behalf of children when plans are made by others that are not in the best interests of each child. Particularly when children’s views and opinions are not taken into account. This has meant that some plans have been changed, and this better meets the needs of each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from stakeholders is extremely positive. They all recognise the progress that the children are making and how staff support the children to do well. One teacher said, ‘The staff are incredible, they will come in and support whenever the child needs them.’ All those spoken to said that they have no concerns with the quality of care that the children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has meticulous monitoring tools in place. This leads to a well organised and efficiently run home. Procedures in place identify gaps in practice, and where extra support is needed, additional measures are put in place to bolster practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual maintains meaningful relationships with the children, who know her well. She spends dedicated time with them, providing opportunities to talk about any concerns or simply to enjoy positive interaction. Following these sessions, the Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 5 responsible individual writes to each child to acknowledge the time shared, reinforcing that children are listened to and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 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: 2674686 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

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2674686 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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