Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Hampshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding children continues to be a key strength of this home. Staff are diligent at following the robust safeguarding procedures in a swift and concise fashion. The Registered Manager keeps an excellent chronology of events, which clearly demonstrate how other professionals are involved in keeping children safe. She ensures internal investigations are unbiased with clear outcomes. Other professionals, such as the local authority designated officer, agree these. Key information is included in risk assessments to prevent recurrence of any events. Staff work with children in key work sessions to provide them with the skills and information to keep themselves safe, such as work on personal space and circles of friendships. A placing social worker said, ‘I commended the staff on their monitoring of (name of child) to keep her safe.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s health is well looked after. The Registered Manager ensures that the looked after child health care plan is in place and other pertinent reports, such as from the senior clinical psychologist and consultant paediatrician. Staff register children, newly admitted into the home, quickly with the local doctor, optician and dentist. Strength and difficulty questionnaires also inform staff how to best care for each child. Children, who have come from traumatised backgrounds, make good progress. A placing social worker stated, ‘(Name of child) has settled reasonably well. I have observed an altogether different child, happy, playful and engaging with staff and activities.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager is handling the staffing shortages very well. She has a pool of bank staff, agency staff and staff from other homes within the same organisation that she can use. New staff speak positively of their induction process, describing it as ‘very good’. They say they have excellent support and guidance. A debrief takes place at the end of every shift. Formal supervision and peer supervision provide a supportive framework to discuss each child and the work they do with them. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of children’s placement plans and the reason certain strategies are in place.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment continues to be of high quality. Children’s rooms are warm, cosy and personalised, and provide a safe space for them.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor provides a monthly report on the activities of the home. This is generally of good quality but lacks routine evaluation of the use of physical intervention. Such techniques have recently increased in frequency in the home. They are well documented, mainly low-level and of short duration. Children are invited to comment on such interventions and in some cases say, ‘I am sorry for my behaviour’ and ‘sorry, I will not do it again’. There are reasonable reasons for the increase in interventions. Staff are working hard to address the underlying issues. The lack of independent monitoring was raised as a recommendation at the last inspection and this is now repeated as a requirement.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has an excellent admissions system in place. She ensures that all the information is obtained prior to placement. She conducts an impact risk assessment. This accurately predicts future risk. Staff manage such risks extremely well. High risk, such as suicide ideation and self-harm, are carefully assessed in consultation with other professionals. Staff demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the individual risk assessments. Some control measures, for example the removal of a thumb turn on a child’s bedroom door, are not written down. Other control measures, such as taking a child to accident and emergency for minor self-harm, are in need of review. No child is at risk because of these shortfalls.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children in the home are from other counties. Some have experienced multiple foster-placement breakdowns. Others are placed a distance away from their home county for reasons of their own safety. They have access to therapy and education. Strategies are currently successful. All children are in full-time education and beginning to engage with therapy, such as pet therapy and equine therapy. A placing social worker said, ‘I have tried five foster placements but they all broke down. (Name of child) is doing well in education and her previous obsessions have been addressed. (Name of child) is in the right place and I have a good working relationship with the home.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear arrangements to deputise in the absence of the Registered Manager. Key staff demonstrate the necessary leadership and management skills. They do not have access to all the records stored electronically that they might need, such as recruitment and vetting records. Discussion with the human resource department during the inspection did not give cause for any concern about safer recruitment practice.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous requirement is met. The responsible person has notified Ofsted of the change in manager. Ofsted has registered the new manager.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous recommendation is met. Young people on the autistic spectrum have an advocate who represents their views. Advocates attend formal statutory reviews. Key professionals hear the voice of the child.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home offers care and accommodation for up to six children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Currently only girls are accommodated. The home reopened in July 2015 after being closed for major refurbishment, during which time no children were accommodated. There was a full inspection in September 2015. This is the first interim inspection since re-opening. A private organisation owns this home and another home in the nearby area.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

23/10/2014 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Ensure the independent person's report sets outs the independent person's opinion as to whether the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(b)) 30/04/2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards, paragraph 9.5)

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure electronic records can be easily accessed by anyone with a legitimate need to view them. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards, paragraph 14.2)

p.5

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7