Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a multi-building children’s home. This children’s home provides care for up to five children in up to three buildings under this single registration. It is registered to provide care for children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A multi-building children’s home allows the provider, in agreement with the placing authority, to make child-centred decisions about where each child lives and to ensure that their individual needs are met.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered, and the home was registered as a multi-building children’s home in December 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were four children living in two of the properties of the home. The inspector spoke to three children during the inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience consistent care from dedicated staff. Staff speak about children with warmth and affection. They remain sensitive to children’s identities, developmental needs and family histories. Such awareness from staff supports the development of shared, trusting relationships.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Photos of the children and certificates of their achievements are displayed throughout the home’s communal areas. Staff create memory books filled with photos of the children doing things that they enjoy. The memory books help the children to remember the fun times that they have shared with staff and other children. This also provides children with a keepsake for when they leave the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to build and maintain relationships with people who are important to them. For children who have difficult family relationships, staff help them make sense of their emotions and feelings.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is prioritised and promoted effectively. Staff demonstrate persistence and determination in securing the most appropriate educational provision for children. They work closely with external professionals and providers to ensure that individual needs are met and that the right support is in place. As a result, two children have successfully completed their GCSE examinations, and the other two are engaged in further education that is well matched to their interests and abilities.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are met, and their well-being is promoted. Staff ensure that children attend all their routine appointments and have access to specialist services.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in well-maintained and comfortable homes. Staff work hard to create homely atmospheres for the children. Children’s bedrooms feature personal touches with their favourite football team or preferred theme. There are also good-sized outdoor spaces with garden activities.

p.3

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

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s needs and the steps to follow to keep them safe. All incidents are clearly recorded and reviewed by the manager. Children’s views are sought, and actions are clear. Incidents are followed up with individual discussions that focus on keeping children safe.

p.3

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

When children go missing, staff follow the missing-from-home protocol and are proactive in searching for them. There is effective collaboration with relevant professionals to ensure that agencies are kept informed. The manager is effective in ensuring that there is a multi-agency approach when reviewing any incidents to identify trends and behaviours and follow-up strategies to support the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 4 Children are offered an independent return home interview, and key-work sessions are carried out to focus on the risks and dangers of going missing.

p.3

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

The use of physical intervention is rare and only occurs as a last resort. There has been one occasion where staff held a child to keep everyone safe. Following the incident, the manager ensured that the child was offered the opportunity to speak with an independent person to share their views. The manager also reviewed the incident thoroughly to evaluate its effectiveness and to adapt behaviour management strategies where needed.

p.4

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

If an allegation against a member of staff is made, the manager takes swift action to ensure the children’s safety and to inform the appropriate agencies in accordance with the home’s safeguarding policies. This transparent approach ensures that any concerns regarding the staff caring for children are managed effectively and independently from the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child focused and speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm. She is supported by a deputy manager and the responsible individual. Together, they work effectively to ensure that the day-to-day running of the home is smooth.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular reflective supervision that they use to discuss the children’s current needs. The monthly team meeting is well attended. Staff are provided with opportunities to explore any challenges that arise, and they discuss possible solutions as a team. Staff report that staff morale is high. They describe positive and respectful relationships with leaders and managers.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are suitably trained to meet the needs of children. Most staff have completed all mandatory training, and additional training is provided to address specific needs, such as neurodiversity. The staff rota is carefully planned to ensure that each shift includes a balanced mix of skills and experience. This means that there are always enough qualified and knowledgeable staff available to provide children with safe and appropriate care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals speak positively about the progress children are making and attribute this to the care that the children receive in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 5

p.4

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: 2754481 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hexagon Care, 1 Tustin Court, Port Way, Ashton-on- Ribble, Preston PR2 2YQ

p.6

Inspector

Cherie Chen, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2754481 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.

p.6

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 .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7