Children's Home run by Hexagon Care Services Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 1 SC480681 Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes owned and managed by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to 4 children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home. 3 children spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living in the home. One shared their views in written form.

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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: 31 January 2024

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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: SC480681 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2024 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 02/11/2021 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 3

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Summary of findings

Children live in a safe, consistent and well-managed home. Strong, trusting relationships help children feel safe, confident and able to express their wishes. They make clear progress across education, health and relationships, supported by staff who understand their individual needs. Independence is encouraged, transitions are carefully planned, and children are supported to maintain important relationships while their identity and diversity are respected.

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Summary of findings

Staff understand risks, respond effectively to safeguarding concerns and work well with other professionals. Strong leadership, a stable staff team and regular oversight ensure high standards, creating a calm environment where positive behaviour is promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive relationships with the children; they take the time to understand each child and their individual needs. As a result, children feel valued and listened to and are making good progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since living in the home, all children have engaged with education. Professionals have praised the impact that staff have had on supporting one child to attend their educational provision. This is despite the child being absent from any learning for a long time before joining the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Moves into and out of the home are well planned. Managers advocate for children to ensure that moves are child centred. Plans for one child to transition out of the home have been halted until completion of their exams to reduce disruption for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with those who are important to them. This is consistent regardless of the distance between the home and the children’s family members.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can confidently express their wishes and understand how they can make a complaint or raise any worries. Children said that all staff are great, that they never feel talked down to and that staff show them respect.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported one child with their identity. The child has experienced challenge from their family. However, staff have helped the child to nurture their confidence. The result is the child feels supported to be themself. Professionals confirmed how staff have been consistent in their caring role. This approach nurtures the identity of the children, celebrating diversity. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 4 The home has seen significant refurbishment. There is a member of staff who has solely domestic responsibilities in the home. This ensures that there is a consistently clean and welcoming environment. Children have celebrated this and have stated through consultation forms or directly to the inspector that it is wonderful, pleasant to live in and much improved from prior homes.

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

Staff understand each child’s risks, journey and individual needs. Staff regularly update each child’s risk assessment and safety plans. Support is offered to help children understand risk through regular key-work sessions. As a result, there are very few incidents in the home and children feel settled and safe.

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

Staff respond promptly to safeguarding concerns, involving relevant agencies when necessary. Staff have worked with wider agencies to protect children and address risks without delay.

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

Staff are consistent in their response to children and their needs. Children experience consistent boundaries, routine and a sense of security. Children feel prepared, knowing who or what to expect, and this instils a calmer atmosphere within the home environment.

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

Staff are trained in safeguarding and behaviour management. The manager has improved oversight of safeguarding practice, and staff receive support to address risk.

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

The home has effective links with wider agencies. There is good communication about safeguarding issues or matters for each child. Professionals consistently praise the communication, consistency, input and presence of staff. This approach ensures continuity of response to the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a permanent, suitably experienced manager. Staff value the manager’s experience, consistency and ability to lead.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have transitioned from a previous home to continue working under the leadership of the current manager. Staff have worked under the same manager for a number of years. This has helped to create a consistent and stable team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is fully staffed with no vacancies. Newer staff are supported through training and pairing with experienced senior staff, who, together, provide children with continuity of care. Staff have a genuine wish to see children achieve the best outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes a positive learning environment. Staff spoke of the manager bringing learning opportunities and having an open-door policy that promotes confidence in staff being able to ask questions and feel supported without judgement. This has Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 5 helped staff to develop their skills. The result is that children receive consistent care from a skilled workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers regularly monitor the quality of care provided through audits and oversight of recordings by staff. These see the manager offering active advice on where improvements can be made. This oversight includes the celebration of strong practice, and staff feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the strengths and areas to improve within the home. The manager knows each child well and can share individual care needs, progress and how staff are responding to such needs. This demonstrates strong leadership and oversight of the home and the children living there. Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 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: SC480681 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hexagon Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, Harbour House, Portway, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2DW

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Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC480681 8 and inspects 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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