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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 1 Registered provider: Horizon Care and Education Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living at the home, and all 3 were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 25 February 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2025 Full Outstanding 19/03/2024 Full Outstanding 17/08/2022 Full Outstanding 23/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit tremendously from stability that is built on excellent personalised care, support and protection. As a result, the children are happy living at the home, feel safe and are firmly bonded with the staff. This is typified by the spontaneous hugs that children give to the manager and staff before going out, and their keenness to tell staff about their day. Children feel accepted, and they are genuinely valued by caring staff who are fully invested in them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into a supported accommodation setting when they felt ready to take this next step. A new child then moved into the home. Thoughtful and considerate planning has helped both children to adjust over time. This has been made possible by the team’s sustained and unwavering support and guidance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s daily lives resemble that of a caring family environment. Staff help children to resolve any conflicts so that they can understand each other better and live together amicably. Children treat the home and personalised rooms as their own, completing chores and developing useful independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s wishes and feelings are highly valued and respected, and staff act on them whenever possible. The manager and staff are strong advocates for the children. Staff consistently operate in the children’s best interests to ensure they receive their entitlements. Staff help children to stay in touch with their loved ones and children’s suitable friends are welcome to visit.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health needs are given the utmost priority. The children’s contacts with primary health services, and support to the staff team from the in-house therapist, promote children’s physical and emotional health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Two children attend school regularly. One child is studying towards GCSEs, and they are benefiting from additional tuition. The manager was quick to act when decisions made by education providers stopped one child from going to school. As a result, a new school has been identified. The open and effective communication between the home and school helps children to overcome any barriers to reaching their educational potential. Children’s exposure to cultural and religious events, both in and out of the home, provides valuable learning for children about equality and diversity matters.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff encourage children to try new things and enjoy themselves. Children attend clubs, places of interest and fun places and events, such as LEGO conventions, collecting Pokémon cards, playing music, reading and playing board games. Children have also experienced holidays abroad. Creative staff supported one child to overcome their fear of flying by visiting an aeroplane cockpit. Social stories for some children have been an invaluable way to prepare them for their holiday. Photos of the children’s time in the home provide special memories that they can take with them when they leave. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 4 Research-informed practice threads through the care and support that children receive at this home. This is testament to the professional curiosity of the manager and staff team, who research relevant topics and seek therapeutic guidance when needed. This pushes the staff team to keep learning about the children, helping children to thrive from their

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

The help and protection of children is firmly embedded at the centre of staff practice. Consequently, staff understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities exceptionally well. Staff talk to the children about keeping themselves safe. This sends a clear message to children that staff care about them. Comprehensive risk management and safety planning support a consistent approach to safeguarding the children. The protective strategies deliver a sharp approach to risk reduction to the extent that children rate feeling safe as ‘10 out of 10’.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. Staff understand the relevant missing protocols to follow if children do go missing. Similarly, staff understand how bullying and exploitation can significantly affect a child’s wellbeing. Staff regularly revisit these topics during supervision sessions and research, which helps to maintain professional curiosity among staff.

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

Similarly, staff manage the children’s behaviour thoroughly and effectively using research-based practice, such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Reassurance and Empathy). The nurturing and parental boundaries that staff use help children to feel secure and learn how to manage their behaviour in more constructive ways. Consequently, incidents involving one child have reduced significantly. This reflects a growing sense of safety and contentment for the child.

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

Staff have only held children when absolutely necessary to guide them away from harmful situations. Post-incident discussions with children effectively help them to understand how some behaviours can hurt people’s feelings.

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

Thorough staff recruitment and vetting practices shield children from unsuitable adults. Allegations against staff are managed effectively. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to report any allegations without fear or favour. Positive learning from incidents helps leaders and managers to continually improve safeguarding practices in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are always approachable and visible to the staff and children. Furthermore, leaders and managers champion an excellent culture of ambition, vision and confidence throughout the home. The manager’s high expectations and aspirations for both children and staff result in an exceptionally positive environment where everyone achieves and makes progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 5 Focused leadership continuously raises the standards of care and provides effective and reliable practice from the motivated staff, who love what they do for the children. The staff team has adopted the manager’s vision and works collaboratively with competence and skill, which continuously improves the children’s experiences. Leaders and managers understand each child’s individual progress. Staff take decisive action, without delay, to challenge any barriers that may disadvantage children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers recognise, value and support each staff member’s individual talents and potential to progress within the organisation. Consequently, staff feel highly supported by both the management and their colleagues, which drives them to work towards achieving professional goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The proactive staff team’s thirst for learning is nurtured through training and development offers. Furthermore, staff supervision sessions, regular team meetings, and therapeutic support and guidance help the team to reflect on its practice and maintain high standards of care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Rigorous internal and external monitoring systems support the manager’s effective oversight of the service. Notifiable incidents to Ofsted are evaluated by the manager and any reflections and learning from incidents are implemented to improve practice. The feedback from stakeholders shows that they value how the manager and team care for and support the children. Stakeholders also rate the quality of communication from staff and are confident that the safeguarding of children is managed effectively.

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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: 1257073 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: 1257073 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

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1257073 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 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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