Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC398391 Inspection date 18/01/2012 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 21/06/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is part of a range of children's services within a private care organisation. It is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

p.4

Progress

The overall effectiveness of this service was judged good at the last full inspection in June 2011. No statutory requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Since the last inspection the home's Registered Manager has resigned and the home is currently being managed by a manager under interim arrangements, prior to their application for registration. Young people continue to live in a safe, caring and supportive home environment that enables them to make satisfactory progress in all aspects of their lives.

p.4

Progress

Young people recognise the work staff do to support them and ensure their safety and are generally positive about the care and support that they receive. Staff provide clear boundaries in a supportive environment. The ethos and practice within the home promotes individual identity, difference and equality. As a result, young people are provided with care and support based on individual identified needs, assessed risks and the potential to develop. Records provide good evidence of the progress made by young people while in this placement.

p.4

Progress

Staff encourage young people to take more responsibility for themselves appropriate to their age and level of understanding. As a result, young people have a responsible attitude towards their health and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Young people's attendance at school has improved considerably since the last inspection, as has their educational attainment. One young person commented, that ‘I like school, I want to get good qualifications, I want to make something of my life’. Young people are rightly proud of their educational achievements.

p.4

Progress

The physical environment remains acceptable and some redecoration has been undertaken between the home's inspections. The fabric of the home, however, is old and as such it requires regular and systematic maintenance and refurbishment. Some small areas of damage were observed, both in individual young people’s bedrooms and in some of the home's communal areas. All observed damage has been reported and was in the home's maintenance log awaiting repair, however, generally the décor is looking tired and does little to enhance the visual impact of the home.

p.4

Progress

The home demonstrates continued improvement in the quality of care provided with a clear and focused commitment to achieving positive outcomes for young people. This has included evaluating and enhancing the level of service, appropriately addressing any and all inspection requirements, and addressing issues identified from Regulation 33 visits. No up-to-date written development plan was available for inspection.

p.4

Progress

Young people enjoy the benefits of living in a home that is effectively and efficiently managed. The current manager provides good quality leadership which enables staff to effectively help young people overcome their issues and ensures that identified needs are consistently and appropriately addressed. There remains, however, the need for these arrangements to be formalised through the registration process.

p.5

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) formalise the appointment of an individual to manage the home by the submission of an application to register the manager and to have their suitability tested by this process. (Regulation 7(1)) 31/03/2012

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated and avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting (NMS 10.3)  ensure that there is a written development plan which is updated annually. (NMS15.2)

p.5