Children's Home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Leicestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved out. Children living at the home were consulted as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021. The newly appointed responsible individual is currently awaiting their suitability interview with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 17 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 December 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has had significant repair and redecoration since the last inspection. Staff have created a Christmas wonderland with decorations throughout the home. Children are excited for the festive period and look forward to going Christmas shopping with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Following a period of instability, children are settling back into more structured routines. For children who do not attend school daily, staff work collaboratively with the children and professionals to try and ascertain the reasons for this. Staff actively encourage children to attend education.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s sleep patterns continue to be of concern. However, staff are professionally curious when children cannot sleep. Staff help children understand good sleep hygiene, such as not accessing the internet during the night. The manager ensures that all staff set consistent boundaries for children. Staff ensure that children understand the reasons why they have different bedtime routines.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding of children’s health needs. They seek medical advice for children who do not wish to take prescribed medication. Staff seek advice on how to explain children’s medical diagnoses in a child-friendly way. As a result, children have been able to understand the impact of their diagnoses on them. Staff are proactive in arranging medical appointments for children. Staff help children to understand the importance of attending. Staff work well with children’s parents to encourage children to attend appointments.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff educate children about the risks of using electronic cigarettes. Staff will remove electronic cigarettes if they are found. The manager was unable to provide evidence that they had discussed a child's electronic cigarette use with their social worker. Therefore, the requirement in relation to regulation 5 has been restated.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are confident in responding to children’s emotional and physical needs following self-injurious behaviour. This results in children feeling able to talk to staff about their emotions. Staff help children understand their emotions and discover alternative ways of managing them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take children to see their friends and families. Where appropriate, children’s family members visit the home. Staff also support children living at the home to treat one another well and with respect. Staff are proactive in responding to any negative behaviour between peers, such as name-calling. Staff teach children about the impact of name-calling and using racist language. To further support this, staff educate children about their own and other cultures. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 3 Children have not always had positive experiences when living at the home. This led to one child having to move from the home in a less planned way than needed. Leaders and managers have reflected on their decision-making during the time the child lived there. Managers have also helped staff reflect on how their responses to the children may have affected the child's experience.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff feel that morale has significantly improved recently. Leaders and managers have created robust systems for monitoring the care provided to children. Leaders’ and managers’ oversight has resulted in them having a clear plan in place for future staff development. The manager has recognised that staff’s written records do not always use language that cares. Ongoing development sessions have therefore been arranged. Staff feel assured by the management oversight and support plans in place.

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Findings from the inspection

On one occasion, the manager failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event. The event included staff seeking guidance from the police. The requirement relating to regulation 40 has therefore been restated.

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Findings from the inspection

No concerns were identified in relation to children’s access in the home. All appropriate doors are unlocked. Therefore, the requirement in relation to regulation 20 is met.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, seven requirements were set. The manager has been able to evidence that they have met five of these. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2025 Full Outstanding 06/03/2024 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers should ensure that Ofsted is notified of all serious events, including those that require police involvement.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has been restated. 28 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that children’s social workers are aware and part of planning in relation to children’s electronic cigarette use.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has been restated. 28 January 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of language used when recording information. Staff should record information about children in a non-stigmatising way. Information about the child must always be recorded in a Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 6 way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/o DWF Company Secretarial Services Limited, 1 Scott Place 2 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3AA

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Inspector

Ellen Monk, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1224663 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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