Children's home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited in Stratford-on-Avon

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

Children and young people in this home are making significant progress from their starting points. They continue to develop, positive, nurturing relationships with staff. There are good routines and structures in place to enable them to feel safe. The home is a welcoming, well maintained, homely environment for children, young people and visitors. One child said: ’I would give this home ten out of ten, I like living here. I cannot think of anything I would change. I have the staff and a therapist and my visitor that I can talk to. They are all helping me and I want do well in school.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have comprehensive placement plans that identify their needs. Staff are working in partnership with social workers, education staff, therapists and community resources to progress their care plans. There are clear health plans, children and young people are attending preventative appointments with universal services and as a result they have improved health. They are supported to make sensible choices about their diets and activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has been through a period of significant change in family arrangements and staff and therapists have provided sensitive care and support. This has helped to manage the impact to his emotional wellbeing. Another young person has been supported to make a safe and positive transition from junior to senior school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received training in safeguarding and child protection and they adhere to the relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. There are detailed behaviour and risk management plans that children and young people contribute to. Since the last inspection there have been very few notifiable incidents. There are no missing incidents and very low numbers of physical interventions. Staff are trained and experienced in de-escalation techniques. There is regular liaison with police, the local designated officer and social workers to keep children and young people safe. The local police regularly call in on an informal basis, building constructive relationships and providing preventative advice with children, young people, and carers. A professional said:’ I have appropriate, timely contact with the management team; they are proactive in seeking advice. I find that staff know the children and young people’s needs well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff actively support and promote contact arrangements with peers, family members and independent visitors. Children and young people’s views about contact are listened to and the continuity of significant relationships enhances their self-esteem and emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children and young people have education arrangements in place and appropriate plans. Staff liaise closely with education staff to monitor and support their progress, including encouragement to maintain positive relationships with peers. Staff and involved professionals celebrate and reinforce children and young people’s achievements. Their positive experiences are captured in a fun way as ‘news sheets’ and in photograph albums.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to benefit from social activities and opportunities to explore interests and hobbies. One young person is attending specialist cycling training and racing. Young people attend activity based youth clubs in the community and as a result have developed new skills and confidence. They are also learning and developing life skills, such as helping with household tasks and taking responsibility for their rooms.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed requirements from the previous inspection, however there is a shortfall regarding monitoring arrangements. Ofsted have not received the independent visitor monitoring reports in a timely way. This is essential information to ensure that the inspector has an overview of the functioning of the home and the care that children and young people are receiving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a notifiable safeguarding matter involving a member of staff that required further management oversight including staff supervision. This has not been fully addressed.

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Information about this children's home

The service is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Improved 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

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to - HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a)) 02/05/2016

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

Make sure supervision of staff practice ensures that individual adults in the home are engaged in the safeguarding culture of the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 43, paragraph 9.14.)

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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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