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

Unique reference number SC398393 Inspection date 10/03/2014 Inspector Dawn Bennett Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional or 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

The overall rating for this service at its last full inspection on 19 November 2013 was adequate. At this inspection one requirement and three recommendations were made. All of these have been met, except for one recommendation where work is on-going.

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Progress

There is now a clear system in place which ensures the Registered Manager notifies Ofsted of all key incidents, and the actions taken as a result. The Registered Manager continues to be very proactive at informing Ofsted of the outcomes of positive partnership work with other agencies.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and key workers have met with the young people's schools to ensure they receive regular homework. Staff are now supporting young people to complete homework during time set aside as part of the routine of the day. Although young people sometimes struggle to complete the work set they understand that staff want to help them achieve good educational outcomes.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has met with all staff and revisited the home's confidentiality policy. Staff are now ensuring that confidential information is not left out in the office and in plain view of people looking through the downstairs office windows.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has ensured there is an effective cleaning routine in the home. She has also put a refurbishment and redecoration plan in place with clear timescales. This major work is on-going but good progress is being made. As a result of this work the downstairs office/staff sleep-in room will be moved upstairs. This will further promote the confidentiality of records and privacy of staff. This will allow the vacated downstairs room to become another communal space for young people and an additional space for young people to use the computer or complete homework.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has continued to work proactively with partnership agencies and parents to reduce young people's high risk behaviours. Significant good work has been undertaken and a wide range of well planned strategies introduced to manage and reduce the number of times young people go missing from the home. Staff invested significant time and energy in strategies aimed to break the cycles and patterns. However, although some strategies resulted in some limited and temporary success a decision was made for a young person to move out of the home. This decision was timely and considered and was made by the Registered Manager in consultation with all other agencies with whom she had been working. The move was well planned with the involvement of the young person and positive communication and liaison with the new placement.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is continuing to work closely with the organisation and partner agencies. As a result of a range of actions, the young person who remains living in the home has settled and high risk behaviours have significantly reduced. Staffing has been increased and a decision has been made not to place any more young people at this home for the foreseeable future. Successful strategies are in place, supported by staff at the home, to ensure positive attendance at school and productive engagement with educational work.

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Progress

These decisions and actions are promoting good quality care and ensuring the safety and well-being of young people.

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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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