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

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have made good progress and had positive experiences since the last inspection. Some young people have moved from the home since the last inspection, with transitions being well planned and considered by managers and staff. Such moves have fully taken into consideration the identified needs of young people and fully involved them in planning. One young person was fully involved in identifying a new more independent placement, visiting several times before moving in. This enables young people to feel fully engaged in their care plans and leads to successful transitions, which meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New admissions to the home have been well planned and considered by managers and staff. There is also very positive evidence of staff discussing new admissions with young people currently resident in the home. This provides them with an opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues they may have and demonstrates staff commitment to their full engagement in the running of the home. One placing social worker stated: ‘The staff are doing a really good job with my young person. They have supported them in being able to stay at the same school, which is so important and this is working really well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report feeling happy living in this home and in feeling that staff care about them and listen to them at all times. Weekly meetings with young people and staff consider their menu and activity choices for the coming week, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss what has gone well and not so well for them. Through such processes, young people have been able to express how they would like their bedrooms to be decorated and furnished, with them being highly personalised to reflect their likes and interests.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have clear systems in place to monitor and oversee all aspects of the care provided to young people. They effectively challenge placing authorities for missing documentation at the start of placements and also regularly request meetings to discuss any concerns or changes needed to care and placement plans. This provides young people with consistent care and support, enabling them to make progress in all areas of their lives. One young person stated their views about the home and staff as follows: ‘ I am happy living in this home, the house rules are fair, I like my bedroom and the staff listen to me and encourage me with my hobbies and interests.’ A wide range of fun and stimulating activities is provided for young people to engage in. These not only provide new opportunities for them, but also promotes their physical health. Activities include swimming, going for walks, ice skating and cinema trips. Weekly meetings provide them with an opportunity to discuss with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff how their week has gone, and to reflect on what they would like to do for the coming week. This provides them with a clear voice in how the home is run and enables them to influence the care they receive. Young people feel confident and able to raise any concerns or complaints they may have about the care and support they receive. The manager fully considers them and responds to young people in a very timely manner. It is evident that young people feel listened to and able to express their wishes and feelings, confident in the knowledge that they will be taken seriously. For those young people who have no or little contact with family members or significant others, they would benefit from having an independent visitor appointed. This would enable them to receive support from outside of the staff team and local authority social worker. Safety is a key priority and supported by high staffing ratios and detailed risk

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessments being put in place for both young people and the environment. A local police officer commended the staff team for their close and positive working relationship with the police, stating: ‘I have been fully involved in discussions about new admissions, assisting with risk assessments and in doing direct work with young people on areas of concern. The home and staff are very receptive to police advice and very safety conscious.’ Working relationships between the home and involved agencies promote a positive experience for young people and promote their development and progress. One education provider stated: ‘The staff communicate really well with us. We speak before and after the school day about one young person to ensure that there is consistency of care and support provided. Information sharing is really good.’ Four requirements were made as a result of the last inspection. The manager has

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

fully considered and met those requirements. One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. The identified minor shortfall has no adverse impact on young people living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

This home is part of a large private children’s care organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that all children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked-after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 23, paragraph 4.16)

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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,

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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

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