Children's home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 1 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company owns the home. It provides care for up to 2 children who have experienced childhood trauma.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024 and is suitably qualified.

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 outstanding

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 14 January 2025

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgemen

14/01/2025 Full Outstanding 05/03/2024 Full Outstanding 11/01/2023 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children live at the home and both spoke with the inspector.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

With the help of staff and other professionals one child is being prepared to move to a service, where their complex needs can be met. The decision for the child’s time at this home to end has been made in the best interests of both children. Another child benefitted from a well-planned move from the home, which supported them to quickly settle in their new home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by staff who show them love, empathy, respect and mutual understanding. Children are greeted warmly after school and staff take care to ask them about their day. Family dinners are used as a time to reflect, reconnect, socialise and build on trusting relationships. Consequently, children say that they feel and appreciate the abundance of love given to them by the registered manager and staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff support children to thrive, including when there are challenges or they are in crisis. Children are helped to increase their resilience and to see their own strengths. Consequently, children are proud of their achievements and to share what they have accomplished.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in their care planning and are integral to decisions about their care. This includes having a voice about activities, holiday ideas, menus and decorating the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is making steady progress with their learning and is predicted to gain qualifications. The child has career aspirations and told the inspector that she can see a bright future ahead. Another child was supported to re-engage with her learning after a significant gap out of education.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a range of activities within the home and the community, including swimming, socialising with friends, going to the gym, bike rides, celebrating festivities and attending different entertainment events. During the summer holiday, the children enjoyed a seaside holiday. The children have opportunities to develop and maintain friendships and this has supported them with increased self-esteem and confidence.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is beautifully decorated and provides a warm, nurturing environment for the children. It has a family feel, is cosy and welcoming. The children and staff look after the home and are proud of the home they have made together. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 4

p.3

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

When there are concerns for the safety of children, the registered manager, staff and the in-house clinical team work collaboratively with partner agencies to agree plans to reduce risk.

p.4

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

Significant incidents are managed well. Staff use professional curiosity to understand the children’s risk-taking behaviours and how their support to children can minimise or prevent these. Children receive reassurance. When needed, medical advice is sought.

p.4

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

Staff work flexibly to adjust the level of support children receive as situations change. For example, the level of supervision children receive is promptly adjusted according to the child’s presenting need. This supports children’s safety.

p.4

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

The registered manager and staff role model to the children the importance of respecting each other regardless of race, age, sexuality or gender. The children living at the home enjoy positive relationships with each other and told the inspector that they are best friends.

p.4

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

Physical restraint is only used as a last resort to safeguard children. Staff use a restorative approach and spend time speaking with the children, discussing behaviours and what is appropriate and inappropriate and why. They role model positive behaviours and this has supported the children to live in harmony and have respect for each other. Incentives and positive praise are used by staff to reinforce positive behaviour.

p.4

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

Managers encourage children to go out with friends and exercise professional curiosity in getting to know who the friends are. They talk with parents and professionals linked to the children’s friends. This ensures that these friendships are safe.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

The registered manager is enthusiastic about her role and helping the children to make progress. She role models positive therapeutic parenting and invests in staff, providing opportunities for them to learn. As a consequence, staff are continuously developing and progressing their careers.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

The home has a stable staff team. Staff are committed to their work at the home and to supporting the children. Staff retention is exceptional, which means children receive consistent care and have deep and meaningful relationships with staff. This supports children to engage with the support provided and achieve positive outcomes.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

The registered manager’s monitoring systems are effective. The homes development plan is used to track the children’s progress and assesses areas of strength and areas where support is required and how this support will be implemented. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 5 The manager and staff have access to mandatory training, specialist training and tailored made training to help them to understand and meet the children’s needs. As a result, children’s needs are met and they are all making progress from their starting points.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

The monthly team meeting minutes are well planned and structured to include reflective practice, research-based practice and discussion about the children’s progress and any support they might need.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

External professionals are overwhelmingly positive about the care that the children receive and say that excellent communication and working together keeps them informed and helps the children to make progress.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 6

p.5

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: SC480161 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hexagon Care, First Floor, Harbour House, Portway, Preston, Lancashire PR22DW

p.7

Inspectors

Rumbi Mangoma, Ofsted Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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 .

p.8

Inspectors

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 http://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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8