Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC482300 Inspector James Harmon Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Hillcrest Childrens Services Limited Registered person address Langstone Gate Solent Road Havant Hampshire PO9 1TR Responsible individual William Mathew Crosby Registered manager Sarah Louise Olliver Date of last inspection 29/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 09/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The overall effectiveness of the service was determined to be good at the full inspection in October 2014 with two statutory requirements and two recommendations. At completion of the interim inspection the service has made improved effectiveness for young people.

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This inspection

The leadership and management have been proactive in preparing for the forthcoming changes in regulations as evidenced by the recent changes in their statement of purpose and children’s guide. Staff ensure that placing social workers for young people are informed through improved communication while encouraging and inviting professionals to visit the home. Monitoring reports continue to be robust, identifying the strengths and the weakness of the home and informing the plan of improvement of areas identified. Professionals, parents and young people views are routinely sought and incorporated into the care of the young people.

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This inspection

The leadership and management of the home reviewed the non-smoking policy in response to those young people that displayed behavioural issues such as absconding based upon the policy. A new smoking policy is in place after feedback from parents, and professionals that allows a young person that considers smoking to be part of their identity to engage in the smoking of cigarettes in a planned and structured way, under the supervision of staff, while also being informed of the negatives impacts of smoking. One young person expressed, ‘absconding was the only way to have a smoke so this is no longer necessary because the staff understand that it’s not that easy to just stop; so the plan is okay in that sense.'

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This inspection

Following the last inspection the recording of fire drills is now thorough and contemporaneous.

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This inspection

The environment of the service is safe and young people said that they feel safe and 3 of 5 get on well with staff. Young people benefit from good relationships with staff. Staff are consistent and knowledgeable and support young people in reaching positive outcomes. The physical, emotional, and social development needs of young people is prompted through detailed monitoring, consisting of timely-held key working sessions that address all aspects of the young person’s care. Young people continue to develop independence through basic living skills and an experience of living independently while residing at the home. When a young person prepares to leave the service the staff support the young person by encouraging, transporting and exploring their feelings about the transition. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to twenty young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It was registered in 2014 because of a technical change to the companies house number. The service was previously operated under URN SC014567 and this is a continuation of that service.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2014 Full good Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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