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 requires improvement at the 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

Since the last inspection, there has been a period of instability, with the registered manager and two members of staff leaving. A new manager has been in post for just over a week and intends to submit an application to become the registered manager. He demonstrates an enthusiasm, drive and motivation to implement changes. However, while he has quickly been able to identify the shortfalls that need to be addressed, he has not yet had the opportunity to implement the planned changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one admission and one discharge since the full inspection. Planning around these transitions has not been sufficient to provide young people with the best possible support. For example, managers do not adequately consider how new admissions are matched to the existing young people and staff are not always proactive in ensuring that the necessary support is in place to enable successful integration.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have had variable success in getting young people to access full-time education. For example, staff have worked collaboratively with a placing authority and school to enable one young person to engage with education. This is a real achievement for the young person and they are making good progress as a result. However, for another young person, partnership working has been less effective and, as a result, the young person is not yet accessing a full-time education placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are not always proactive in addressing some young people’s health issues. For one young person, limited planning means that there is an inconsistent approach to how staff respond to the young person’s sensitive health need. Similarly, its inconsistent recording and monitoring mean that the severity and frequency are not fully understood, potentially affecting the decision making on the most suitable treatment for the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has undergone some redecoration. However, it continues to present as tired and, in some places, uncared for. This means that young people do not experience a pleasant, welcoming and inviting place in which to live and be proud.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work hard to develop positive relationships with young people, taking the time to listen, understand what works for the young person and offer support when needed. As a result, young people feel understood and perceive that staff genuinely care for them. One young person told the inspector, ‘They have done a lot for me, they really have. I am a different person to the one who arrived and it is because of the staff. They talk to me and tell me to think about what I am doing, and that really helps.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered provider has only been able to address two of the eight requirements raised at the last inspection. Specifically, staff now demonstrate that they are able to assess and review risk factors that affect young people, and have greater effectiveness in managing young people’s behaviour. Besides those shortfalls already outlined in the report, the manager and staff do not sufficiently review the use of physical intervention in order to inform practice and therefore reduce the potential need for such measures. Furthermore, staff do not always ensure that they have access to key documentation, such as local authority care plans and personal education plans, to enable them to provide young people with tailored care to meet their health and educational needs.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a large private children’s care organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 03/09/2015 Full Good 05/02/2015 Interim Declined in 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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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to ensuring that the home provides children and young people with a pleasant domestic environment in which to reside, the registered provider must ensure that staff: (6)(2)(c) ensure that the premise used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished so as to: (i) meet the needs of each child 01/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standard, with particular reference to ensuring that all children and young people access a minimum of 25 hours of education a week, the registered provider must ensure that staff: (8)(2)(a) (i) help each child achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans; (iii) understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers. (vi) maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement. 01/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person must ensure that: (1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and (2)(a)(i) staff achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans; (ii) staff understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and 01/04/2017 well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. 13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children’s home that: (2)(b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; (f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (g)(ii) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 01/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home; a record is made which includes, a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure.

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Requirement Due date

Within 48 hours of the measure, the registered person has spoken to the user about the measure, and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the measure the registered person adds to the record to confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iv)(v)(vii) (b)(i)(ii)(c)) 01/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which include the information and documents listed in schedule 3 in relation to each child are kept up to date. (Regulation 36(1)(a) b)) 01/04/2017

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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 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, work- based 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

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

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