Children's home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Havant

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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

The home was re-registered in September 2014 due to a change in the company name. This is the first interim inspection under this registration.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress. There is a reduction in challenging behaviour. Incidents of going missing are rare. Young people with a history of refusing school have good attendance. As per the previous requirement, the manager ensures there are up-to-date personal education plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn good social skills and how to behave responsibly in society. The manager holds coffee mornings to encourage engagement with the neighbours. Documents show a young person has, ‘made great progress in forming and sustaining relationships with his peers and the wider community’. A placing social worker said, ‘they worked very well to manage and support him’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is good transition planning in and out of the home. Careful consideration is given as to the best process and support that is needed. Staff challenge other professionals, such as in preparing and sharing pathway plans. Outcomes are successful, such as young people moving into their own accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff demonstrate a thorough knowledge of each young person's needs. They recognise that progress is not linear and provide good support when a young person is experiencing difficulties. Damage to the environment, that has occurred when young people have found it difficult to contain their challenging emotions, is repaired quickly. Strategies and support are discussed with other professionals to address the underlying issues, such as possible underlying mental health conditions. Police involvement is reserved for the most serious of incidents. Staff ensure they have a debrief with the young person after an incident. Although records indicate these take place, in one case, there was no detail available as to the content of the discussion after a significant incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risks are managed well, such as the risk of a young person starting a fire. The manager ensures there are suitable fire precautions. This includes the use of a fire protection system. Although this was working properly after some damage, this was not certified in writing. Young people are not at risk. Other risks, such as hygiene in the kitchen, are managed appropriately without unnecessary restriction of liberty.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good arrangements in place for safeguarding. The manager works closely with other professionals to ensure a robust approach to any concerns. She has responded very well to the previous requirement. Applicants have their history of working with children fully explored; in particular the reasons for leaving that employment. Policies and procedures underpin safeguarding practice. These are not explicit in the use of staff personal electronic devices, such as whether taking photos or making friends on social media applications is permissible. Young people are not at immediate risk.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous recommendations to conduct weekly medication checks and provide staff training for contact, are fully met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager has been appointed who is providing good leadership. She has applied to register with Ofsted. She has supplied Ofsted with a revised Statement of Purpose in line with recent changes to regulation. She ensures there is good monitoring through her own Regulation 45 reports and that an independent visitor provides a report on the home.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people are supported towards independence through utilising a self-contained flat on the premises. The home is registered for both sexes. Currently only boys are accommodated. It is one of three homes in the local area, owned by the same organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

 Continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them, especially clear guidance on the use of staff electronic devices and social media. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, paragraph 14.4)

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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

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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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