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

Unique reference number SC398482 Inspection date 13/03/2013 Inspector Dawn Bennett Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is part of a large private children’s care organisation and is currently registered to accommodate six young people who have 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2012, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was judged to be good.

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Progress

The majority of young people are making good progress in many aspects of their lives. They are also being successfully supported to move on from the home in line with their placement plans. Young people have positive relationships with staff who celebrate achievements. Interactions between staff and young people are warm and friendly. Education is promoted and young people's attendance and personal progress is good or improving. Young people are active members of their schools' communities. For example, some took part in Christmas performances, which were watched by staff, while another young person has been on a residential trip with school to an activity centre. Involvement in leisure activities and clubs in the community is successfully encouraged. For example, young people actively participate in Cubs and youth groups and pursue a wide range of interests, such as BMX, fishing and golf. Wherever possible the service supports continuity for young

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Progress

people. For example, young people continue to attend schools and participate in the clubs and activities they were involved in prior to moving to the home; even when this involves a degree of travel.

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Progress

This home has operated for a period of time with reduced staffing numbers due to staff members leaving. It is a credit to the core group of remaining staff that good outcomes for young people are still achieved. They cover the vacant shifts to ensure consistency of staffing and practice. Some of the vacant senior posts have now been recruited to and are due to start imminently. During this time some staff have not received regular supervision sessions, which would provide them with additional support and advice.

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Progress

Two requirements and three recommendations were made at the last inspection. Good progress has been made in addressing these. The two requirements have been met. Extensive maintenance work has been undertaken to the main house. All windows have been replaced with double glazed units. Previous issues with damp have been resolved. Bathrooms have been refurbished. Work is now underway to redecorate rooms and refurbish areas within the home. The home's manager is now routinely commenting on the effectiveness of consequences and physical interventions used within the home. This ensures interventions are appropriate as well as effective in supporting young people to progress. The manager reports that there has been a significant decrease in the use of consequences and physical interventions and an increase in positive interventions as a result.

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Progress

Two of the three recommendations have been met. The staff team have received refresher training and the home's manager is monitoring records to ensure restraint is not used to enforce compliance with instructions where significant harm or serious damage to property are not otherwise likely. Fire drills are taking place to ensure all staff and young people are familiar with, and have practised, evacuation procedures so they know what to do in an emergency.

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Progress

A newly appointed manager is in post and is in the process of applying for registration with Ofsted.

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Progress

The progress made to address the final recommendation is on-going. All staff are due to have had a personal development review by the end of March 2013.

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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 staff are provided with regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff (NMS 19.4)  ensure that all staff have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually and that this appraisal takes into account any views of children the service is providing for. (NMS 19.6)

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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.

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