Children's home run by Horizon Care and Education Group Limited in Cannock Chase

Inspection report children's home: 1185765 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group 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

This home is owned by a private organisation. It cares for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager is suitably qualified and has been registered with Ofsted since February 2021.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 18 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 1185765 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Good 09/05/2023 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 1185765 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff interactions with the children are consistently sincere, nurturing and calm. Staff have an in ‑ depth understanding of each child’s needs and use this knowledge effectively to help them build trusting relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s progress in education is mixed. Despite these challenges, education is valued within the home. Each child has a bespoke plan, and staff regularly encourage engagement. As a result, two children have made measurable progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate well for children’s health needs, making timely referrals to ensure they receive support from the relevant services. When children are reluctant to attend health appointments, staff use creative and flexible approaches to ensure their needs are still met. For example, staff arranged for a doctor to visit the home when one child refused to attend appointments. As a result, children’s health concerns are managed appropriately.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with external professionals to enhance children’s experiences. Feedback from these professionals is consistently positive and highlights the staff team’s commitment to providing safe, thoughtful care that improves outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value the importance of social inclusion and encourage children to pursue their hobbies and interests. Children are also given opportunities to experience new activities, including holidays abroad, snooker lessons and musical instrument classes. These experiences help children to develop new skills and enjoy positive childhood memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Meaningful direct ‑ work sessions are completed with children to help them understand and reflect on their behaviours in a child ‑ friendly and informative way. Staff have undertaken direct work on sensitive topics such as racism, peer relationships and suicidal ideation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most areas of the home offer a modern and welcoming environment. However, some areas require attention, including worn carpets and dark internal doors, which detract from the otherwise homely feel. In addition, the practice of locking away food items undermines the domestic environment and contributes to an institutional atmosphere.

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

The manager and staff demonstrate a sound understanding of the risks associated with each child. They use this knowledge to implement effective strategies that safeguard children and minimise those risks. All children told the inspector that they feel safe, and they spoke positively about the care they receive. Staff practice helps children to feel cared for and protected. Inspection report children's home: 1185765 4 The use of physical intervention is rare. Staff rely on the strong, positive relationships they have built with the children to help them feel heard and supported. Incident records show that staff use playful and nurturing approaches to de ‑ escalate situations and prevent incidents from escalating further.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from home. When children leave the home without permission, staff take prompt and proportionate action. They maintain visual oversight where safe to do so and effectively encourage children to return home. These approaches have contributed to children’s safety and the absence of missing ‑ from ‑ home episodes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A qualified and experienced registered manager leads the home alongside an equally committed deputy manager. Together, they share a clear ambition for children to have high aspirations and receive individualised care. They are dedicated to providing nurturing support that helps children feel safe and secure. The registered manager’s joyful and caring manner is well received by the children. Their patient and composed nature helps children feel comfortable, and they frequently seek the manager out for support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is clearly motivated to drive continuous improvement in the quality of care children receive. They achieve this through monthly audits and ongoing monitoring systems that identify areas for development. The manager also seeks regular feedback, which is reflected in both the point ‑ in ‑ time survey and the regulation 45 report. This strengthens children’s voices and ensures their wishes and feelings influence the care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing levels are sufficient and provide children with stability and consistency from a team they know well. No agency staff have been used, due to the manager’s commitment to maintaining a familiar and stable staff group.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team morale is high, and staff report feeling well supported by the management team. The manager is committed to staff development and regularly delegates tasks that promote learning and improve staff practice. As a result, staff have a good understanding of the processes that shape children’s day ‑ to ‑ day care. Inspection report children's home: 1185765 5

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to redecoration in the areas of the home that are worn and dark. In addition, this relates to food not being locked away. 23 February 2026

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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 children's home: 1185765 6

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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

Latoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 1185765 7 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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