Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children's Services (2) Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC398480 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Young Options College Limited Registered person address Turnpike Gate House Alcester Heath Alcester Warwickshire B49 5JG Responsible individual Graham Baker Registered manager Stuart Lee Banks Date of last inspection 14/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 18/06/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection Following a number of concerns raised with Ofsted on 6 May 2014, a monitoring visit was conducted to the home on 8 May by a social care regulatory inspector (SCRI). As a result of this visit, shortfalls were found that related to the promotion of young people’s welfare and safety. On 16 May two statutory compliance notices were issued that required the provider to address the identified shortfalls by 13 June. The shortfalls were in relation to Children’s Homes Regulations 11 – promotion of welfare and 26 – fitness of workers.

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On 17 June, a SCRI visited the home to determine if the provider had achieved compliance with the notices. The monitoring visit was completed prior to the home’s full inspection, which was conducted on the same and subsequent day. The SCRI found the registered provider had taken sufficient action to meet the regulatory shortfalls.

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Overall effectiveness adequate

Outcomes for children and young people adequate Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe adequate Leadership and management adequate 3 of 11

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Overall effectiveness

Overall, the staff team are effective at providing personalised, well planned care that takes full account of individual needs and circumstances. Young people are helped and encouraged to make positive progress in their lives although the impact the home has had recently for all young people is mixed. For some young people, their risk taking and anti-social behaviours continued which influenced their peers’ ability to sustain the improving outcomes they had achieved. This was compounded by an increased need to use staff from employment agencies and from other homes to cover the absences of permanent team members. However, a change in the resident group has facilitated a period of recovery and growing stability within the home.

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Overall effectiveness

One compliance investigation visit has been conducted since the last inspection and this was in response to concerns raised about young people’s safety. Two compliance notices were issued, and at a subsequent monitoring visit it was found that the provider had taken the necessary action to address the shortfalls.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are now looked after by an established and experienced care team. They feel safe in the home and with the staff who look after them. Young people have good relationships with staff and feel that they are listened to and able to influence how they are looked after. Placing social workers can identify the progress that young people have made and the positive relationships that exist in the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The new Registered Manager provides practical and supportive leadership that is focused on meeting individual needs and managing risks effectively. Two requirements have been made as a result of this inspection and these relate to improving the décor and maintenance of the home and to formally evaluating the consultation that takes place with young people. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home operated by a private company is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 18/07/2013 Full adequate 28/02/2013 Interim good progress 07/11/2012 Full good

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept in good structural repair externally, this is in relation to the home’s is roof. Ensure that all parts of the children's home use by children are reasonably decorated and maintained, this is in relation to young people's bedrooms (Regulation 31(2)(d)(e)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the children's home is suitably furnished; this is in relation to young people's bedrooms (Regulation 31(4)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

34 establish and maintain the system for monitoring 31/07/2014 5 of 11 (2001) the matters set out in schedule 6 in particular monitoring and reporting on arrangements for consulting children about the quality of the children's home's care and for acting on the results of such consultation. (Regulation 34(1)(a)) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Generally, young people are receiving care and support that is based on their individual needs and personal circumstances. They are encouraged and supported to develop their skills and confidence, and make the right choices in their lives. Where outcomes for young people have been affected as a result of poor decision-making and behaviours, staff work hard to influence and promote change. However, the impact the home has had for some young people to make a difference and improve outcomes has been limited.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people experience a reassuring and helpful approach from permanent members of the team. However, this has been undermined recently by an increasing need to use employment agencies and staff from other homes to ensure acceptable levels of staffing were maintained. For a period of time, young people’s attachments and relationships with their carers had been disrupted and fragmented. This situation has now improved with young people experiencing more stability and consistency.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people's needs in relation to their health and emotional well-being are consistently met. They benefit from an informed and planned approach to meeting their needs, which includes successful partnerships with community services, health professionals and the in-house therapy team. Young people are actively engaged in a range of health related topics to help them learn about how to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people enjoy a good range of activities both in and outside of the home. Young people’s hobbies and interests are fully supported which includes joining local clubs and participating in after school activities. This gives young people opportunities to develop their social skills and confidence, increasing their interactions and engagement with the wider community. Young people are enabled to maintain helpful and close relationships with important people in their lives. They benefit from well planned and organised contact in order to achieve arrangements that are appropriate and safe.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Currently, young people's education is actively promoted and supported which contributes significantly to good school attendance. Young people are doing well at school when compared against previous circumstances regarding their attainment and attendance. Achievements are valued and celebrated which provides a positive environment for young people’s continued development and learning.

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Quality of care good

7 of 11 Young people benefit from well-planned care and supportive routines. There are clear aims for each young person’s placement. These are agreed and reviewed in partnership with families, placing authorities, therapists and teachers. Consequently, young people receive personalised care that establishes the foundations for their personal development and next steps forward.

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Quality of care good

Staff have access to a good range of information including placement plans that are of good quality and are personalised to reflect individual needs and requirements. They provide staff with a useful tool to understand young people’s needs and the required support. Young people’s personal preferences, likes, dislikes and factors that are important to them are fully reflected in care planning and daily practice. Young people's emotional well-being, physical health and behavioural patterns are closely monitored to ensure the right care and support is being provided.

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Quality of care good

There is effective partnership working with the school, including daily handovers, attendance at review meetings and regular liaison with class teachers and other specialist educational needs professionals. All staff have first aid, infection control and food hygiene training. This level of training supports staff competency in addressing young people’s health needs and contributing to the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Currently, young people benefit from positive and constructive relationships with their carers. Interactions are nurturing and supportive, young people and their social workers express confidence in the quality of care they receive and the positive relationships with staff.

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Quality of care good

Young people are regularly consulted about the support they receive and their daily routines and arrangements. Staff use a range of ways to seek the views and opinions of young people including one-to-one time, communal meetings and informal discussions. Staff encourage young people to negotiate and compromise in order to facilitate reasonable requests and choices. Young people know how to complain if they are not happy about something and are confident about achieving resolutions to any concerns they might have.

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Quality of care good

Young people are provided with living accommodation that is spacious, clean and tidy. Generally, the home is decorated, maintained and furnished to a reasonable standard although damage to the home’s roof has yet to be fully repaired. Occupied bedrooms are personalised to reflect individual choices and preferences. However, empty bedrooms are poorly furnished and decorated. Newly arriving young people would not experience a comfortable or adequate personal living space.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

8 of 11 Young people feel safe and secure in the home and with the care provided. The policies and procedures in relation to child protection are readily available. Staff receive training and on-going guidance in safeguarding practices and they recognise the particular vulnerabilities relating to the diverse needs of young people. Necessary action is taken to share any concerns with the appropriate agencies to ensure young people’s safety and protection is promoted.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Detailed assessments are in place, which identify areas of individual risk and vulnerability. Staff use this information to shape their daily work with each young person which includes managing risks associated with having unauthorised absences or being missing from care. These events did increase recently but have now reduced as a result of some young people leaving the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

On the occasions where young people were missing, staff followed agreed protocols and assessments to gain their safe return. The staff team used established partnerships with the local police and other designated professionals to ensure a coordinated approach was taken in these circumstances. Where concerns remained about these risky behaviours, the Registered Manager worked in partnership with other professionals to explore ways of reducing the risks. These measures ensured that the home responded and adapted to the changing needs and circumstances of individual young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The service promotes a positive culture of managing behaviour; sanctions are rarely used and there is a focus on supporting positive behaviours. Staff are trained in an approved method of physical intervention and know how to use restraint techniques properly. There is minimal use of restraint and when used, it is applied appropriately to ensure young people are safe. The Registered Manager oversees the home’s behaviour management practices to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of the approaches used. Detailed risk assessments and current staffing arrangements provide young people with opportunities to enjoy many experiences with a balanced but informed approach to risk taking.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The home is physically safe and appropriately secure to take into account the needs of the young people. Detailed risk assessments and fire safety checks are undertaken to promote everyone’s safety and well-being. Staff receive fire safety training and evacuation drills are carried out routinely and involve young people so they know what to do in an emergency.

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Leadership and management adequate

A new manager who is suitably skilled, experience and qualified has just been registered with Ofsted. The manager previously worked in another one of the provider’s homes and has a number of years’ experience of managing a service for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Staff are clear about their individual and collective responsibilities and understand the overall aims and purpose 9 of 11 of the provision. Current young people experience a child-focused service with staff concentrating on helping them achieve their aims and to reach their full potential.

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Leadership and management adequate

Along with the provider organisation, the Registered Manager and staff team work well together to ensure the appropriate management of the service and to consider how the home will develop. Monitoring activities are routinely carried out and written feedback is provided about the home’s operation, which includes areas for improvement and development. There are plans in place that detail proposed developments that reflect areas for change and improvement. However, feedback from young people is not formally evaluated as part of the Registered Manager’s quality assurance processes. This means that there is no consistent record of the actions taken as a result of what young people say about the home.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people have access to a range of information about how the home operates which helps them understand what to expect from the service. In addition, the home’s operation and ethos are set out in a recently updated Statement of Purpose, which is available to placing authorities and families. Records are kept up to date, stored securely and fully and contribute to an understanding of a young person’s life at the home. Established procedures are also in place to share information about significant incidents with the appropriate agencies including Ofsted, which detail events and actions taken to safeguard and protect young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff are formally supervised as well as receiving regular and practical day-to-day support from each other and their line managers. There is an effective on-call system to support staff if needed. Staff have access to a rolling training programme to ensure their core skills; knowledge and awareness are kept up to date. All staff hold an appropriate qualification that is consistent with their role and responsibilities.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager monitors staffing levels and adjusts these where necessary to ensure that young people receive the right support and supervision that matches their needs and circumstances. However, a combination of recent circumstances has necessitated the increased use of staff from outside of the home. Although individual shifts were still led by experienced members of the team, the opportunities young people had to develop relationships with all their carers over previous months was limited. Consequently, young people did not know some of their carers very well. Staffing arrangements have now improved with young people experiencing care and support from a more stable and familiar team.

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Leadership and management adequate

The two requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection have been actioned. Young people can access a telephone and make a private call without reference to persons working in the home. Staff have received suitable training in fire prevention to underpin the practical steps they already take to keep everyone safe. Staff who are placed in charge of the home have relevant experience of working in the home and have successfully completed their induction and probationary periods. In addition, the shortfalls identified in the recent compliance notices have refocused staff attention on consulting young people when they return to the home after being 10 of 11 missing from care. New systems are now in place to ensure any agency staff used by the home are appropriately checked and vetted before they work directly with young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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