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

Unique reference number SC012001 Inspection date 06/12/2011 Inspector Roy Bega Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/03/2011 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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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

A private organisation owns and manages this home. The home offers residential placements for up to six children of either sex, who are between the ages of eight and 17 years. It specialises in providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma in their lives and display a variety of behavioural problems.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people excel during their placement in this home benefitting from well planned care that meets their individual needs. Young people are fully engaged in the formulation and implementation of plans and thrive in a nurturing, supportive environment with clear structures and boundaries.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe and well cared for and benefit from purposeful relationships with staff. Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and provide clear information for young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff team are enthusiastic and well motivated being directed by an inspirational and pro-active manager. Together they contribute earnestly in providing consistent high standards of care to ensure that young people live their lives to the full.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people know that their views are taken into account in the day-to-day running of the home as well as in their individual care plans.

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Overall effectiveness

Management and staff are highly active in ensuring that diversity is celebrated and valued, whilst being resourceful in challenging any form of discrimination. High regard is given to young people's particular needs, arising from their heritage, culture, or linguistic backgrounds.

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Overall effectiveness

Three young people were accommodated and being cared for at the time of this inspection. Two were at home during the visit. Although they interacted positively with the inspector neither of them were prepared to discuss their experiences of living in the home. They have however, provided a positive contribution through observations during the visit and pre inspection surveys.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that staff have appropriate training if they are required to supervise and facilitate contact (NMS 9.2)  ensure completed Regulation 34 reports are used as part of the quality assurance for the improvement and development plan of the home. (NMS 21.2)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make excellent progress in relation to their starting point and thrive in a supportive, stable, caring environment which offers consistent boundaries. They develop in self-confidence, emotional resilience and a pride and sense of be longing to their home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy good health being motivated in taking responsibility for their own medical and health needs. The development of self-esteem and understanding about emotional and mental well-being aids children’s ability to succeed and have fun. Young people are aware how lifestyle choices can impact on their health. For example, balanced eating, exercise, understanding sexual health, better personal hygiene and the effect of smoking. Young people also understand how to access a variety of health agencies that will support their medical needs and give advice about lifestyle choices.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people’s educational achievement and school/college attendance is exceptional taking into account their attainment level at the commencement of their placement and subsequent progress. They appreciate the support and guidance given by staff who are proud of them and care about their futures. Key workers talk to them about the importance of school, going to college and being able to get a job. They feel good about themselves as they are consistently congratulated and rewarded for their efforts and achievements.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make decisions about their placement plans, reviews and running of the home. They feel confident to say what they think, can read what is said about them and sign records. Staff support them to become involved in monthly house meetings and weekly key worker sessions. A lot of discussion also takes place during social occasions such as meal time. They enjoy discussing a wide range of things including food, personal activities in the local community, holidays, sanctions/house rules and the decoration of the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Where appropriate young people feely make contact with family members and friends; for example meeting with a class mate to complete a school project. They are aware of the reasoning when it is necessary to agree planned and supervised contact with their families. These include visits to the home, telephone contact, and planned overnight stays with parents. Young people maintain, and in some instances, re-establish relationships with their families in planning a possible return home enabled through exceptional staff commitment in providing emotional and practical.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people develop skills for future independence and adult life from involvement in independence programmes which include: budgeting, menu planning, healthy eating and other practical house hold skills. During the visit one young person readily enjoyed practicing their culinary skills in preparing lunch, explaining what they were cooking and how they menu plan. The resulting meal was enjoyed by all those who dined. Young people view preparation to move into adulthood and be independent is an important part of their individual placement plans. Transitional arrangements cover all areas for moving on into independent living, adult life or alternative accommodation are meticulously discussed and planned with young people. Staff are dedicated to keep in touch with young people once they have moved on. This often results in some young people returning for social visits. Others prefer to stay in touch by means of phone calls or other forms of correspondence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Social workers outline their satisfaction with outcomes for young people placed at the home. Comments include: 'they have worked hard with the young person in enabling them to engage with and become more trusting of adults', 'they are proactive in meeting educational needs of young person who was a non-school attendee, now predicted exam passes of A's and B's' and ' they have empowered young person in becoming confident to do things for self, have an opinion and make decisions'.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Staff are innovative in their approach in helping young people celebrate their achievements. These qualities not only empower young people but help them build their self-esteem and self-worth. Management and staff are consistent when engaging with young people or advocating on their behalf. This contributes towards an environment which enhances reassurance for young people and reinforces the key principles of building on trusting relationships.

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Quality of care

Relationships formed between staff and young people are exemplary. The boundaries instilled by staff are professional, balanced and fair. Young people are also supported in forming trusting and safe relationships with other adults and young people within the organisation and wider community.

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Quality of care

Well-established forums enable young people to learn to negotiate and develop confidence in expressing their views on aspects of how the home is organised and run. Their views are valued and listened to in affecting changes on matters that are important to them. They also appreciate why at times it may not be possible to act upon their wishes. For example matters which may be subject to budget constraints or not in their best interest.

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Quality of care

Young people are provided with appropriate information on how to report any concerns but rarely make use of the formal complaints process. Concerns raised are dealt with efficiently and effectively and include comments from young people regarding their personal satisfaction regarding the outcome of investigations. Young people are provided with contact details of independent advocates if they so choose.

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Quality of care

Highly detailed individual placement and daily living plans provide extensive information on how young people are to be cared for. Staff are conversant with the system and meticulous in the delivery ensuring that agreed interventions and needs are met whilst being sensitive towards young people's backgrounds. They ensure that young people are given time, space and opportunities to confront their past experiences while offering levels of support which are appropriate and carefully thought through. Young people are actively involved in their care plans which promotes confidence in having a say in their own life. This open culture and inclusion embraces a raft of key values for allowing young people to feel safe and fearless of speaking out.

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Quality of care

Young people's physical, emotional well-being and welfare are promoted. Young people are encouraged to routinely attend appointments with their doctors, dentist and opticians. They also have access to a range of specialist services providing medical and psychological support. Staff are trained in first aid and have excellent knowledge of the home's robust procedures for administration of medication.

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Quality of care

Staff actively promote education as part of preparation for adulthood and provide young people with practical and emotional support. They have an excellent understanding of young people's education and are enthused in providing consistent and meaningful guidance.

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Quality of care

Young people are actively encouraged by staff to participate in suitable leisure activities within the home, the company’s provisions and the wider community. Staff also promote the introduction of new experiences aimed at providing the opportunity for young people to learn more skills, interests and gain confidence.

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Quality of care

Management and staff are highly active in ensuring that diversity is celebrated and valued, whilst being resourceful in challenging any form of discrimination. High regard is given to young people's particular needs, arising from their heritage, culture, or linguistic backgrounds. Staff work to meet these needs positively, with care, consideration and sensitivity.

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Quality of care

The home's location is well suited to its purpose and provides a high standard of accommodation which is made as homely as possible. Maintenance arrangements promptly address damage and breakages to maintain a safe environment.

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Quality of care

Testimonials from placing authority social workers outline their satisfaction regarding the quality of care provided for young people placed at the home. Comments received include: 'they are proactive and resourceful in meeting the young person's needs, ' they are very positive and have excellent work practice with the young person', 'keep me in contact at all times' and ' they manage any situation very well and provide a written report with the young person being encouraged to include their say, and often does'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff take positive steps to ensure that the young people live in a safe, secure and caring environment. Young people feel safe in the home and particularly make reference to the homes security measures and the availability and access to adults at all times.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding is inherent in the culture and practice of the home. Staff attend training and have access to clear information about child protection and safeguarding requirements. As a result, they demonstrate a sound understanding of the action to take should they have any concerns about a young person's safety or well-being. Dynamic partnership working with external partners, such as the local authority designated officer for safeguarding, means that the staff have knowledge and understanding of child protection is continually being developed. Incidents where young people go missing from this home are very infrequent, due to the close supervision from staff. Staff are very aware of young people’s vulnerabilities and are very clear what action to take should such an incident occur, which include good protocols with the police. Likewise, incidents of bullying are rare, again due to the very close supervision by staff, good placement planning and excellent knowledge of

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Safeguarding children and young people

young people’s needs and vulnerabilities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The privacy of young people is respected and information is confidentially handled. Staff ensure that they do not enter young people's rooms without knocking. Young people's care records are maintained securely and contents are not discussed inappropriately. A good balance, however, is achieved between respecting young people’s wish for privacy, ensuring their safety and encouraging their appropriate participation in activities so as to promote contact with their peers.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people admitted to the home exhibit predicted and unpredicted behaviours and needs. Management and staff respond proactively to this. They use these situations to further understand young people's needs and past experiences and how best to support them. The staff are aware of triggers, how to respond appropriately. The written and up-to-date plans ensure a consistency of response. Staff are trained in a recognised method of physical intervention but the emphasis is on prevention and distraction to minimise incidents.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The physical environment is safe appropriately secure and well maintained. There are established systems and structures to maintain safe practices and fulfil health and safety obligations. There are robust fire safety arrangements which include, staff and young people being familiar with the actions they should take in the case of a fire.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from a stable staff team. Staff working with young people in the home are carefully selected and vetted. The home has suitably robust procedures in place including a systematic approach that ensures that the company's policy and practice is effective in practice.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Testimonials from placing authority social workers outline their satisfaction regarding how young people are safeguarded in the home. Comments received include: 'the young person feels safe and secure', 'staff are very aware of safeguarding issues', 'the tendency of the young person to become absent without authority has immensely decreased' and 'young person's overall behaviour has improved immensely since being at the home'.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

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Leadership and management

A real strength of this home is a cohesive, well experienced and forward thinking management and care staff team. The manager of the home is experienced, appropriately qualified and supported by a dedicated staff team who are versatile and have a commitment to constantly improve care practices. Staff spoken with reported, 'I am happy with the work I do, we all work very well together and can totally rely on each other'. Another stated, 'I feel valued and we work hard to make sure the young people get the life they deserve'.

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Leadership and management

Staff are provided with an excellent range of training, including mandatory courses in safeguarding, first aid and the administration of medication. The manager of the home ensures that time is available for all staff to attend training, which further promotes the welfare of the young people. All staff working at the home have a qualification in caring for children or are working towards it. Comments received include from staff: 'my training needs are a fixed item for my supervision', 'I am being well supported in completing the new Diploma in Social Care’, 'we have annual refresher training in the mandatory areas such as child protection' and 'the company provides specialist training to meet the needs of young people before they are admitted, such as autism'.

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Leadership and management

Young people appreciate a staffing structure which has clear lines of accountability in providing a stable living environment. Staffing levels are maintained in agreement with assessed needs and placing authorities to ensure that young people are properly supervised and able to take part in structured and non-structured activities. Staff are deployed with sufficient time to undertake individual work with young people, to attend regular team meetings and to complete necessary paperwork. All staff have regular supervision sessions with their line manager, which ensures that staff development and training needs are identified and promoted. Staff commented, 'management are very supportive and provide excellent supervision' and 'I receive outstanding guidance an professional input'. The manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to reviewing and improving the service that is offered to young people and their families. Team

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Leadership and management

meetings are used to look at practice and the needs of the young people. This ensures that all staff are aware of any issues relating to young people's behaviour and approaches in meeting them are consistent. The home has monthly Regulation 33 inspections which report the quality of care provided and records any shortfalls, to which the manager promptly responds. Although Regulation 34 monitoring reports are not fully used as part of the quality assurance for the improvement and development plan of the home.

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Leadership and management

Excellent administrative arrangements are in place for supporting young people's care. These arrangements ensure each young person's exclusive and confidential records are maintained securely and include all the information necessary to plan and deliver their care. Records are carefully organised to permit ease of access to particular information which provides young people with ready access on request.

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Leadership and management

Testimonials from placing authority social workers outline their satisfaction regarding the leadership and management of home. Comments received include: 'there is clear leadership 'they are a professional team, 'management and staff are providing me with advice regarding the planning of a young person's return home' and ' the home works well with myself, young person's parent and family’.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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