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 Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness . At the last inspection, the service provided to children was outstanding. The current inspection concludes that the team have sustained the same high standard of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from a very low turnover of staff. As a result, they have excellent relationships with their carers, which help them make significant progress. One child has recently moved to foster carers and another is due to move imminently. These planned moves reflect the progress the children make and also the specialism of the service. A social worker said recently that she was ‘very impressed’ with the home, that communication is ‘good’, and that the reports she receives ‘exceed requirements’. The same child’s independent reviewing officer said that since being placed here the child ‘has never been happier’. Another professional was impressed that a child had gained sufficient confidence to co-chair his latest review meeting.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership of the service by the manager and on individual shifts remains strong. The manager adjusts working practices to ensure that staff are working as effectively and efficiently as possible. For example, after each shift staff reflect on their effectiveness to ensure that the team is working as well as possible and to air any concerns constructively. This contributes to team members working well together and improving their practices. Members of the team who support children during meetings with their families have recently received additional training. This is an important contribution towards the welfare of children during occasionally difficult occasions. Staff training is ongoing and is up-to-date. The manager has sourced a course for staff to learn about female genital mutilation so they can become familiar with the latest guidance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The liaison with other professionals is strong too. However, occasionally there are substantial delays in obtaining important documents and in notifying Ofsted about serious events. These shortfalls compromises the implementation of children’s placement plan targets and the ability of the regulator to monitor the service. The excellent relationships between staff and children serve to regulate the behaviour of children to a substantial degree. Children are encouraged, supported, and rewarded rather than sanctioned. As a result, there are extremely few physical interventions or instances of children going missing from the home. Improved liaison between staff and teachers is also contributing to the therapeutic approach, particularly for children who find school a challenging environment. Their detailed understanding of each child means that staff identify safeguarding issues at an early stage.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are amongst the youngest in residential care and they respond well to the clear routines. They pursue active lifestyles that revolve around particularly high levels of school attendance. The good staffing levels allow the personalised care necessary for each child to pursue a special interest of their own. Children consistently feedback to external adults, including the independent visitors, that they are happy in the home.

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Information about this children's home

This home can provide care and accommodation for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a large provider of childcare services and is located in a rural area.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality standards the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— (c) if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. This is with regard to ensuring that the methods of escalating concerns about lack of documentation are sufficiently robust. 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI without delay if there is an incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. This is also with regard to serious incidents at school. (Regulation 40(4)(e)) 29/04/2016

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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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