Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children's Services (2) Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC398480 Inspection date 19/10/2010 Inspector Andrew Hewston Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 01/07/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The home is set up to accommodate up to four young people aged between 12 and 17 in a large detached property that has pleasant views over the locality. The staff team cares for young people from a range of backgrounds, including young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Each young person has their own room and one of the rooms is set up to help young people develop independence skills. The home has a large communal lounge, two smaller lounge areas and an education room. There is also a large kitchen and a dining room that is regularly used.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection and completed to examine the staying safe outcome for young people and the recommendations made at the last inspection. One young person was briefly spoken to as part of the inspection.

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Summary

The young people continue to receive an outstanding level of care within the home. Staff respond well to issues raised by the young people and where concerns are highlighted all of the necessary organisations are informed and involved with decision making. Good records show that the staff fully engage with young people while allowing the development of their independence.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two recommendations made at the last inspection. Both of these have been appropriately responded to. All staff have now completed training in the administration of medication. There is improved evidence that shows that young people are involved in a range of activities including those external to the home. No recommendations have been made at this inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy arrangements are appropriate and they are involved if a search is required of their rooms. All information is stored securely. There have been no complaints made at the home since the last inspection. Young people are given a good range of information stating who they can talk to if they are unhappy within the home. There is no evidence to suggest that there are problems with bullying within the home. The previous inspection highlighted that staff respond well to differences between young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The arrangements to ensure the safety of young people within the home is outstanding and staff are able to discuss where there has been concerns and how these have been responded to through both the local safeguarding board and within the home through key worker meetings. These meetings are fully recorded. All staff are aware of how to report safeguarding concerns and there is information available within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team respond well where young people have been absent from the home without permission. Recordings are completed within the home's systems, meetings are held with young people relating to incidents and these are fully recorded. The manager has met with the local police to discuss reporting issues relating to absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have a good awareness of their expected behaviours within the home. The staff team ensure that young people that display positive behaviours are appropriately rewarded, while poor behaviours are responded to fairly but firmly. All records of behaviour management are fully recorded and include comments from the young people when appropriate. These are monitored by the manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety checks are robust within the home and fully recorded. All necessary checks are completed regularly including fire safety checks. Risk assessments relating to the young people and their activities are up to date and reviewed when issues occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No concerns relating to recruitment were raised at the last inspection. This area was therefore not examined as part of this inspection.

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