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

Unique reference number SC398391 Inspection date 03/03/2014 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/07/2013 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in July 2013, the overall quality rating for the home was judged as good. One recommendation was made relating to the need to ensure that a written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of supervision held for each member of staff including the registered person. The home has appropriately addressed this; a record is now in place which verifies that all staff receive regular and robust supervision. This latest inspection has raised no new requirements or recommendations.

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Progress

In the intervening period since this 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 and attainment have both improved. Safeguarding is afforded a very high priority and young people are fully involved in their care planning arrangements.

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Progress

Young people are positive about the care and support that they receive and their individual relationships with staff are good. Young people receive a consistently high standard of care, structure and routine. All aspects of care planning and practice are personalised and tailored to meet the individual needs of the young people which helps to promote individual identity, difference and equality.

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Progress

Young people are encouraged to behave well. Each young person has an individualised behaviour management plan that informs staff about known behaviours and how these are best dealt with. Unauthorised absences by young people are infrequent as are physical interventions, by staff. Positive behaviour is recognised and rewarded and sanctions are both fair and proportionate. Young people's views and comments, or their refusal to comment, following incidents are always recorded.

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Progress

Staff have a good 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. Young people are encouraged 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 effectively managed. The home demonstrates continued improvement in the quality of care provided with a clear and focused commitment to service development and achieving positive outcomes for young people. The internal and external monitoring of the practice of the home, untaken by the Registered Manager and by appointed management representatives, is regular, consistent and accurately reflects the functioning of the home and routinely seeks the views of young people about their care.

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Progress

The home is well managed by an experienced, dedicated and well qualified Registered Manager. The manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas for further development based on clear evidence. Staff work closely with external professionals to ensure young people’s individual needs and views are heard. Staff are well supported receiving formal supervision at a frequency in line with best practice expectations. The home’s notification system is good. Staff are proactive, correctly notifying any concerns and any matters of significance to the social work teams, police and other agencies. As a result this helps to promote young people’s welfare.

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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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