Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC012001 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Merryl Wahogo Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 18/10/2010 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

Ashley children's home is one of two homes run by a private company. The home can accommodate up to six children and young people of either sex who are between the ages of eight years and 16 years on admission. The home specialises in providing therapeutic care for children and young people who have suffered trauma in their lives, such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect and display a variety of behavioural problems. The home is a spacious two-storey detached building within a residential area, with access to local amenities, shops and public transport.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was the unannounced interim inspection covering the staying safe outcome area and recommendations from the previous inspection. All the recommendations have been met and new initiatives have further increased the likelihood of improved outcomes for the children and young people. Despite some outstanding features, the home is still adjusting to the destabilising effect of the influx of new staff and new children and young people all within a short period of time.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to create a policy on permissible touch because staff were unable to point to one, although they were clear about what they should and should not do. In fact, this policy is distributed between several others and the manager has now reminded staff where to look.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was also asked to create a general risk assessment for the gardens and this has been done alongside some improvements to enhance safety. Equally, having been asked to consider purchasing radiator guards, the senior management team discussed it, but decided it was unnecessary. Nevertheless, they did decide to move the thermostat controls out of reach of the young people, which does reduce risks to their safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, the manager was asked to consider ways to make all areas more homely. As a result, children and young people can now relax in a more cosy chill-out room and enjoy a better decorated home environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take all necessary measures to protect children and young people's privacy, which includes responding to events appropriately. There have been no complaints for nearly a year. This all means that children and young people have the opportunity to build a sense of security.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take their lead from the senior management team in having a holistic approach to all aspects of safeguarding. For example, they make a lot of effort to support and encourage parents. They also do well at building relationships and a sense of safety for the children and young people. As a result, children and young people can and do open up about past traumas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The senior management team are rigorous in their response to any staff actions that might jeopardise a child or young person's safety. They also cooperate extremely well with other agencies when necessary. This means that, within the limits determined by their own choices and decisions, children and young people are very safe in this home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All aspects of appropriate and positive physical contact with children and young people are covered well within a number of policies and staff have been reminded of this. They learn about permitted touch during their induction and in other training courses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a new log in which staff can enter details of any bullying, but there has been none since the last inspection. Children and young people do occasionally leave the home without permission, but staff respond well, supported by detailed risk assessments, policies and procedures. This reduces the risks faced by the children and young people when they do choose to leave the home without permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This home has a record of an outstanding approach to behaviour management, which hinges on a therapeutic perspective. The home's therapist has devised a progress plan recently, which has enhanced this further. It is too early to assess the impact on the children and young people, but staff appreciate the extra focus it gives them. They are thoughtful about ensuring that sanctions for misbehaviour fit well with the nature of the offence and record all details well. Equally, they keep physical interventions to a minimum, recording these and details of how they debrief the young person very well. An excellent aspect of the debrief records whether or not the child or young person wishes to make a complaint. Notably, children and young people, more often than not, sign their agreement to the fairness of sanctions and physical interventions. All this means that the home is a very good environment in which children and young people may learn safer and better behaviours. This is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evidenced by decreasing numbers of sanctions and physical interventions for children and young people where there are no other destabilising events in their lives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety checks in this home and the sister home are now the responsibility of one member of staff. Senior management took this decision in order to better ensure that all checks are done regularly and the evidence suggests this has worked. They have also created a risk assessment for the back garden, which is reviewed regularly. The senior management team considered that the purchase of radiator guards was not necessary or appropriate for the children and young people currently in residence. They have, though, taken other steps to reduce the risk of children and young people sustaining burns. As a result, the children and young people live in the safest possible physical environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment processes are thorough and as a result children and young people can be confident that they will be kept safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In order to help the boys develop relationships within the home and in the wider community, staff are reintroducing a boys' group. This covers both discussions and activities. In addition, staff are excellent at finding out what activities children and young people most want to engage in and then setting the opportunity up. As a result, for example, one boy has recently done a lot of work in the garden, creating some beautiful flower beds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is excellent communication between the home and schools and staff are very good at working with children and young people to motivate them to attend school regularly. As a result, school attendance has dramatically improved for some children and young people. In addition, staff have done very well to keep children and young people learning even when they are not in school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Other standards in this area also remain high.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff have taken a number of steps to improve the appearance and homeliness of the environment within the home. For example, many areas have been repainted and one area has been moved to a different and cosier room. Also, staff have been encouraging children and young people to create art work which will be hung on the walls in the stairwell. Equally, there is less damage as a result of a change in sanction policies. Some of this work is still ongoing.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Other standards in this area remain good.

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