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

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is showing excellent leadership, with children at the centre of practice. Staff speak highly of the support, guidance and encouragement they receive. This has been particularly relevant since the last inspection, during which time staff have dealt with unusual and challenging behaviour. They have worked with other professionals to explore underlying mental health issues. Staff kept a young person at risk of serious injury as safe as possible while professionals determined the next steps. A placing social worker said, ‘The staff were fantastic, caring and thoughtful.’ She reported that the registered manager communicated very well in difficult circumstances. The registered manager writes an end of placement synopsis, that she shares with other professionals, to reflect on the placement planning, transition and support to inform future practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person, recently admitted into the home, has had a significant and positive impact. She, and the other children, find value in her being a role model, just as an older sister might. Behaviour has improved significantly and there is a calm environment. Staff use innovative approaches to allow children to express their difficult and painful emotions, such as providing a ‘chalk wall’ in a bedroom to write their feelings on, from a starting point of destroying their environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager analyses all incidents. She meticulously looks for trends and is ambitious to learn from each event. She is able to provide alternatives to children who are finding their emotions difficult to manage, so that they can express themselves appropriately. Children are able to receive the nurture and care they crave without resorting to poor behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one incident of missing from care since the last inspection. Staff did their utmost to follow and track the young person. The strategies were successful, and the young person was able to return to the home with the aid of other agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager demonstrates a thorough approach to any safeguarding concerns. She provides training to staff so that they are alert to signs, such as facial features, that a young person may be on the verge of risk-taking behaviour. Staff use strategies, such as distraction techniques, to keep young people, and those around them, safe. The manager shares strategies with other people involved in the young people’s lives, such as education professionals, to ensure a consistent approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strength of this home is the approach towards education. All children are in school. They engage with their learning and benefit from the interest that staff show in their education. Their self-esteem and confidence increases. They begin to talk more freely about their lives, such as telling a friend that they are in care. They are delighted when their friends show care and empathise with them. Children are able to enjoy activities in the community, such as joining a local branch of a national girls’ association or a dance club. Children are able to pursue what they love doing and fulfil their dreams. Their self-confidence spills over into other areas of their lives, such as being able to go on a school holiday or staying in a statutory review meeting for the first time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another strength is the approach to health. The registered manager ensures that all the necessary documents are in place prior to admission, such as looked after child medical reports. She identifies the immunisation status of the children and ensures that they have the necessary vaccinations. Professionals train staff in pertinent issues, such as self-injurious behaviour. A member of staff said, ‘The training and support is brilliant.’ Staff talk with children who feel ready to stop self- harming and agree tactics that give them a sense of control and achievement. This means that such behaviours diminish as children begin to feel a sense of self- worth.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home offers care and accommodation for up to six children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Currently only girls are accommodated. The home reopened in July 2015 after being closed for major refurbishment, during which time no children were accommodated. A private organisation owns this home and another home in the nearby area.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/09/2015 Full Good 06/01/2015 Interim Not judged 23/10/2014 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 within the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): None

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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 children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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