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

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in September, this service was operating at a good standard, which it has sustained. The manager and team have addressed the previous requirements and recommendations. The security of the office and its contents is now at a satisfactory level. Fewer negative incidents occur around the office, but when they do keys and confidential information are not at risk. Staff continue to use wedges in some fire doors for ease of supervision and movement. However, alarm-sensitive closures are now in place on specific doors to provide a satisfactory level of protection in the event of a fire. The company has made an important improvement to the storage of data. An electronic recording system is now in place, which provides much greater security and accessibility. The statement of purpose gives a better account of the rights of children. The monitoring of physical interventions allows for independent scrutiny in cases that involve the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is a further contribution towards respecting children’s rights.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The greatest challenge in recent months has been sustaining an adequate level of staff continuity. Sickness and other issues have meant that there has been extensive use of bank staff and some agency workers. This has absorbed time and effort and meant that young people have had to establish relationships with a wider range of carers than desirable. However, effective procedures mean that the additional workers are sufficiently familiar with young people’s needs. The methods of communicating between team members has also improved since the last inspection, which is particularly important at times such as these. As a result, young people feel safe in the home and the atmosphere is noticeably calmer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is paying particularly close attention to admissions and discharges and is keeping a vacancy until the staffing situation stabilises. One young person moved to a more suitable placement nearby. This occurred in a planned way and the young person had time to become familiar with his new carers. This improved the situation in the home and contributed to making the young people safer. Since the last inspection, another young person made a positive move to a more independent setting after making progress in the independent unit. The admission process undertaken with the latest young person ensured he matched the others as well as possible. He feels satisfied with the home and is gradually settling in. Social workers say that the staff are very professional and communicate well with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The property has a comfortable feel, with a good range of communal areas and plenty of space outside. This suits its objective to meet the needs of young people preparing for independence. At present there are various signs of damage, which detract from the presentation of the house and a programme of improvements is in place. Behavioural difficulties both on and off site, which involved bullying, have been a significant feature since the last inspection. These are now reducing in frequency because of the direct work undertaken by staff and the therapists and greater control of young people’s free time. Staff members liaise appropriately with the police and other agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage increasingly well in their education placements and some achieve maximum attendance. Staff discuss any behavioural issues with teachers and adapt their education packages to maximise young people’s engagement and achievements. Young people have also made progress in their involvement with the company therapists. This gradual process helps them come to terms with their circumstances and make the most of the extensive opportunities on offer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager provides calm leadership to the team. He benefits from good monthly reports from an independent visitor, which are sent to Ofsted extremely promptly. This permits the regulator to monitor the service effectively. However, the manager does not analyse or evaluate sufficiently well in either the notifications to Ofsted or in his six-monthly reports. This delays the improvement of the service.

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Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A large provider operates the home for young people who are preparing for independence. An attached flat is available for one young person.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/01/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

14/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. They should be skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing incidents, such as learning from disruptions and placement breakdowns. They are responsible for pro-actively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. This is with regard to ensuring that notifications and monitoring reports are sufficiently evaluative. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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

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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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