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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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

Not much time has passed since the last inspection. The young people residing in the home are making steady progress towards their individual goals with the support of the dedicated staff team. Their relationships with the staff and each other continues to flourish, providing them with a safe, stable environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Appropriate steps have been taken by the management team to ensure that the recommendations made at the previous inspections have been incorporated into the daily practice of the staff. All documents reviewed on inspection were signed, dated and reflected the views of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The placement plans for the young people are being regularly reviewed. The young people have a clear understanding of what they must do to complete their goals. They willingly engage in all supportive services that are put in place for them. This has led to them accomplishing and achieving throughout their placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are making significant progress in their educational attainment. They transition well to mainstream school from the school attached to the home if practical for them. Many of the young people go on to attend college whilst making friends and achieving the results needed to specialise in their chosen fields.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have their health needs met to a high standard. When there are concerns for their health, a plan of action is developed by the staff for improvement. They are learning to lead healthy lives by actively being involved in their own medical care. All routine appointments with the dentist, general practitioner and optician are scheduled in advance and attended.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There was one incident of safeguarding reported to Ofsted since the last inspection. The manager promptly notified Ofsted of the matter and provided an appropriate update. The management’s response has been thorough with the safety of the young people as the primary focus. Consistent communication and cooperation with professionals by the staff has resulted in the young people remaining free from harm. The risk assessments for the young people were detailed. They considered the risk to all young people when there is a concern that could potentially affect them all. Records reflected an improvement in this area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one planned discharged from the home. A young person that previously occupied the semi-independent flat attached to the home has moved on due to a planned decision by the local authority. The staff in the home supported the young person as she made the transition back to her parents care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The availability of the semi-independent flat means that another young person has been provided with the opportunity to progress in their age-appropriate skills in preparation for adulthood. So far, the young person is adapting to her new living arrangements whilst gaining confidence in her abilities, such as participating in driving lessons and attending college. The young person recently returned from a college trip abroad which has enhanced her understandings of other countries and cultures. New people that have been recently admitted to the home undergo a thorough referral process consisting of evaluating substantial historical and current information. They settle in quickly due to being accepted by the other young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The rewards board is a constant reminder for the young people of the positive things they have achieved. They take pride in their accomplishments being on display motivating them to continue adding to the board.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are effective in managing the negative behaviours of the young people. They are utilising de-escalation techniques that has improved their ability to help the young people understand the impact of their negative behaviours on their progress. This has led to a reduction of physical interventions and a low number of sanctions. A prime example is a young person going from experiencing many interventions to none in short time span.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training records reflect that all staff are up to date in their basic training. Most recently, behaviour management training was completed. Incentives in the form of pay increases are provided to the staff for the successful completion of training such as obtaining the appropriate qualification for their assigned roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment of new staff remains a meticulous process. Information provided by potential staff is reviewed, and verified resulting in safe recruitment practices for any staff working with the young people. One of the managers has been promoted to the position of team manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safely able to enjoy the premises. Management undertake regular monitoring of health and safety ensuring the home is physically safe and secure. All fire and maintenance checks are completed and documented. The home continues to be maintained with numerous resources. The overall monitoring of the home is informative. The management continues to be stable whilst developing creative ways to develop the service. The proactive response of the management to the care that the young people received resulted in no requirements or recommendations being made at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The privately owned children’s home provided care and accommodation for up to seven young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home was registered in 2014 because of a technical change to the company’s house number. The service was previously operated under URN SC370917 and this is a continuation of that service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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, work based 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

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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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