Horsebridge House

Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 1 SC452713 Registered provider: Greenfields Adolescent Development 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 provider and offers care for up to 3 children. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that care is provided for children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2024. The previous registered manager resigned in September 2024.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/04/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/08/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they enjoy living in the home and the positive, warm and loving relationships developed between staff and children is a strength. Nurturing care is embedded throughout practice. Staff are attuned to the needs of children and they provide children with the right responses, which supports them to feel secure and parented. Staff welcome children home from school, celebrate achievements and make daily plans, keeping children at the heart of what they do.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

High expectations for what children can achieve empower staff to advocate for children and give them the dedicated care that supports progress. Achievements are recognised, no matter how small, and staff work to build children’s self-esteem so that they hold themselves with high regard. Children are provided with the life skills to plan for their futures and to aim high.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education and learning are high on the agenda. Most children attend school, complete their exams and move on to higher learning or look for employment opportunities. Staff support children by taking them to view colleges or job interviews. Good challenge and advocacy occur when children are not yet in full-time education, which includes working with other professionals to get the desired outcome for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff instil the model of care into their approach and responses to children. Children have friends over to stay, family time is encouraged and supported, and children enjoy holidays, various activities, meals out and birthday celebrations. Staff understand how each child experiences these things differently and tailor care to ensure inclusion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships with children who move on are maintained. This enables several children to keep in touch and staff continue to reach out and support them. Children are involved in their moving-on plans, so they are informed about what is going to happen and when. Equally, children participate in their planning when moving in. Since the previous inspection, leaders have learned from when planning has not been as robust as they aim for, and this has improved children’s recent experiences of moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is in the middle of a refurbishment. The lounge has recently been decorated to a style chosen by children and a new kitchen is being fitted. Children make their bedrooms their own space. Managers have continued plans to develop the home and the garden.

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

A positive safeguarding culture is embedded which promotes the safety and wellbeing of children. Staff understand their role in safeguarding. Clear communication with partner agencies, such as local authorities, takes place in response to any safeguarding concern. Should children raise any concerns about staff practice, staff actions keep them safe and Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 4 children are kept informed throughout the investigation and receive an outcome to their concern.

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

Staff provide children with a safe environment to live in and respond to any risk they need to manage. The creation of a gaming room centrally in the home means staff can keep children close enough to safely monitor their online world while giving children the space and trust to spend time independently in their online community. Children are accepting of boundaries, such as staff checking their mobile devices. The safe and open culture means children share concerns with staff. This approach enables children to grow in their independence within safe boundaries.

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

A proportionate approach to risk is child focused to enable them to have the usual life experiences. Staff frequently talk to children about safety and risk. They manage risk well and adapt their responses when needed, which children are accepting of. The positive relationships and embedded therapeutic model of care are integral to this success.

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

Staff are quick to respond when there is a concern about safety or a child’s emotional wellbeing. Specialist support is sourced to ensure that children have access to skilled professionals. Training and work with other agencies provide staff with the knowledge to manage incidents when children may have harmed themselves, or when they need support to manage their emotions. Managers implement a reflective ethos, so staff are open to adapting approaches to better support children. The child’s voice is consistently sought and listened to.

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

Incidents of children going missing from home have occurred but have reduced more recently. Responses to episodes of going missing are swift and escalated quickly when risk is high. Staff worry about children and show they care. They do what is expected regarding communicating with other agencies and seeking support to search for children. Children are welcomed home and their wellbeing is the emphasis of staff concern. Managers understand statutory responsibilities when children are missing from home and hold others to account when these fall short.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A smooth transition of registered managers took place with least impact to children. Leaders are ambitious for children and their staff team, set high expectations and create an open culture of acceptance, tolerance and inclusion. Leaders and managers are present in the home. They develop good relationships with children. Their presence enables them to constantly monitor and evaluate the quality of care, ensuring it meets their standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children feel part of the home. Leaders create an environment where children’s views are valued and acted on. Through listening to children, parents and professionals, managers continually develop the home. Managers are clear on what is working well and Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 5 where they need to do better. Strong advocacy is practised and managers are positive role models for their team, whose members advocate for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the support from leaders and managers and how this aids their development. Regular feedback on the quality of care helps staff develop their practice. As children are encouraged to share their views, staff continually adapt their practice to meeting the changing needs of children. Managers take robust action when practice is not to the expected standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The progress of children is understood and continually monitored by staff and leaders to ensure they respond to any changing needs. Staff empower children with a ‘can-do’ attitude and show them they are proud of them and have high aspirations for what they can achieve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from family and various professionals is positive, both about the quality of care and how leaders and staff communicate with them.

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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: SC452713 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Greenfields Adolescent Development Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Parkview, 82 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB8 1UX

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Inspectors

Darren Wickens, Social Care Inspector Nicola Lownds, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC452713 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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