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 last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions of children are very well thought through. Thorough and insightful assessments of the needs of the new child and current children are carried out. Any areas of incompatibility are planned for, through effective care and safety planning. There is very good support to help children who are moving in to settle well. For example, before moving in they meet the current children and the staff, and have a meal with them. This enables them to develop some familiarity with their new home. Their interests are discussed and, in preparation for their move, these are catered for. For example, if the child has said what his favourite football team, is, a quilt with this logo will be bought. The current children are well prepared for a new child, because staff talk to them about their worries and reassure them. As a result of the excellent planning for admissions, the children settle into the home well and feel welcomed. A social worker commented that she

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

was impressed with the admission process. Children move on from the home in a planned way and are very well supported to achieve a positive move. The social worker for a child who has recently gone to live with family members stated: ‘They (the staff) have contributed hugely in providing positive outcomes for the child and their family.’ He described how their commitment to planning for the move and providing the resources needed to enable it to be successful ‘played a huge part within the reunification plan’. He went on to say: ‘This (reunification) is not an opportunity for most children who remain in care and it was a good experience to work with an organisation that supported this plan.’ The children often show their distress in destructive and aggressive ways. Staff fully understand how emotional trauma links to their behaviour, and deal effectively with outbursts with minimal fuss. Good quality care planning and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behaviour management plans are implemented on a daily basis. Sanctions and incidents of restraint are carried out where appropriate, and detailed records are made of all incidents. In one case it was noted that the same sanction had been applied to one child over a period of time. It is recommended that this is reviewed to establish if a more effective sanction would better support the child to change his behaviour. Children take part in an impressive array of sporting, educational and fun activities. These keep them gainfully occupied and teach them valuable life lessons. They learn how to: work in a team; show respect for others; and deal effectively with successes and failures. They develop their skills in endurance and self-discipline. They also have fun. The support for children to attend and engage in education, and the links with school staff are excellent. Staff have high expectations, and children rise to the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

challenge and make the best of their educational opportunities. The home is effectively managed, and the manager and staff are well supported to care for the children and keep them safe. The home improves over time, because the arrangements for monitoring and development are effective. Current research is used to identify where improvement can and should happen, and changes are implemented. The manager ensures that recommendations made at inspections are considered. Two that were made at the last inspection have been implemented. This has meant that the arrangements for monitoring a child who was self-harming were clarified for staff, and that children have regular key-work sessions with their key worker during which they discuss any issues that are worrying them. Children thrive in this home as a direct result of being cared for by staff of a high calibre who know them, understand their needs, like them, listen to them and want

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

them to do well. They develop excellent relationships with the staff, whom they trust and confide in, and who help them to overcome their past adverse experiences so they get the best out of their lives. Partnership working with other professionals, agencies and family members remains a strength. Social workers reported good working relationships and one stated: ‘Their (the staff’s) working relationship with professionals and family members has been excellent and I would have no concerns placing other children in their care.’ The local authority designated officer said, ‘I really rate the organisation’, and went on to explain that this is because it invests in the children. Because there is good investment in children and an integrated approach to care, children make excellent progress .

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children's home that provides care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The organisation’s school is located on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/12/2015 CH – Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH – Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  …Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children to recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community…

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Recommendations

This is with specific reference to reviewing regularly used sanctions to ensure that they are effective in supporting children to change their behaviour (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38).

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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 ‘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 0300 123 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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