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

Unique reference number SC398391 Inspection date 29/10/2012 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in June 2012 the overall rating for the service was judged as good, with leadership and management rated as outstanding. No statutory requirements were made but two recommendations were raised. These were to ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment, is well maintained and decorated and avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting. Additionally the manager was asked to ensure that there is a written development plan in place which is updated annually.

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Progress

The home has introduced a comprehensive and detailed development plan and has started upon a programme of general redecoration and refurbishment. All of the areas highlighted at the previous inspection that required improvement are included in the home's plans and several areas have already been completed. No issues in respect of health or safety are unresolved. Decoratively, however, further work needs to be done to make the house more homely, comfortable and to reflect the manager’s expressed aspirations. In the intervening period since the last inspection, the home has continued to provide a good quality of care. Young people continue to enjoy the benefits of significantly improving outcomes, their education attendance remains high. Safeguarding is afforded a very high priority and young people are fully involved in their care planning arrangements.

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Progress

Staff have a detailed knowledge of the individual young people they care for. They provide personal support tailored to reflect each young person's development and to meet their changing needs. 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.

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Progress

The home continues to be very effectively managed. The home has maintained the good quality of care it provides and has a clear and focused commitment to achieving positive outcomes for young people. The provider and manager effectively review and monitor the running of the home and take action to improve the quality of the service provided. They routinely seek the views of young people about their care. The manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas for further development based on clear evidence. This has helped to inform the home’s development plan. Staff work closely with external professionals to ensure young people’s individual needs and views are heard.

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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 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).

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