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

Outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 The young people are thriving and making excellent progress while developing positive relationships with staff and others. Care planning is guided by the views of the young people; achievable goals are set and secured.  Warm, caring and nurturing relationships have developed between young people and the consistent, committed staff team. Staff have a clear understanding of the young people’s individual needs and provide them with positive role models; young people and staff talk openly with each other.  The young people are having valuable experiences as they develop age- appropriate skills that allow them to become fully independent. They learn to become contributing members of society through education, employment and pursuing their interests.  Young people are always kept safe. New staff are safely recruited and strong working relationships exist with the local police. Administrative shortfalls

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

relating to safeguarding have affected the judgement.  The manager of the home is experienced and has held this post for several years. He is committed to the young people and manages the staff effectively.

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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

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to child in the home, a record is made which includes: details of the child’s behaviour leading to the incident; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(v)) 07/07/2017

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to seven young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/10/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/12/2015 Full Outstanding 05/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Outstanding

The young people are making exceptional progress while developing a positive self- view through their supportive relationships with the staff. The young people gain confidence and display positive characteristics while understanding and coming to terms with their individual circumstances. There are numerous examples of the young people consistently thriving with each inspection that passes. All young people were available and expressed highly positive accounts of how residing in the home has helped them.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people are actively involved in the decisions relating to their care. Their views, wishes and feelings are routinely obtained by staff and shared with professionals at meetings. Staff have excellent communication skills to ensure that all young people are able to share their views and ideas. The young people are provided with advocates when necessary to help them understand when their wishes cannot be implemented, and as a result they make no complaints. Achievable goals have been accomplished, in part due to young people being so engaged in their own care planning.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people enjoy warm and nurturing relationships with staff, who are genuinely concerned about all aspects of their well-being. Staff act as surrogate parents to the young people by having extensive knowledge of their needs, accomplishments and aspirations. The young people have a sincere admiration for staff and use positive phrases to describe them, such as ‘amazing’ and ‘the best’. One young person stated that, ‘Staff honestly care. They have our best interest at heart; ask anyone. We are like family.’ A social worker confirmed that a young person has built a good relationship with staff, resulting in significant improvement in behaviour.

p.6

Outstanding

Staff have been instrumental in guiding young people to build and sustain relationships with others. The positive attachments that have formed between the young people are proudly displayed in pictures throughout the home. An example of the flourishing relationships young people have with each other was observed when they, along with staff, prepared to go to dinner to celebrate a young person’s birthday. The young people were in joyful spirits, assisting each other to get ready and confirming plans with staff. Those who could not attend, due to having to work, shared gestures of warmth, such as hugs, prior to saying goodbye.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people have consistently obtained the necessary skills associated with living independently. They are able to complete their daily routine with limited assistance from the staff. The young people learn age-appropriate skills which prepare them well for adulthood. One young person has successfully obtained part- time employment in the community; this is going extremely well. Another young person confidently spoke about her time living in the independent flat, the skills she learned and the support provided by staff.

p.6

Outstanding

Transition planning in and out the home is well organised for young people. The two newly admitted young people have settled quickly, while adapting to the structure of the home. A social worker for one of the young people said, ‘I am greatly impressed with the level of care thus far.’ One young person successfully completed a planned move back to the care of her parents. Pre-arranged visits and discussions with staff were able to lower the anxiety levels of the young person, resolving any potential conflict or concerns and ensuring that the plan could go ahead.

p.7

Outstanding

Young people are making exceptional progress educationally. They have excellent attendance and this helps them to progress in their studies. Staff actively engage with virtual headteachers and other educational staff, which has enabled young people to improve upon their historical education performances. Some young people have missed a considerable amount of education prior to living here; the support and enthusiasm of staff has enabled them to develop a new found appreciation for education. Several young people are currently attending college, studying specific trades, such as culinary arts. On the day of the inspection, a young person proudly showed off her set of professional cooking knives, purchased by the staff, while baking some muffins as a sign of appreciation for staff.

p.7

Outstanding

The young people present as healthy, with good insight into their individual health needs. The staff provide consistent support and arrange appointments as needed. Scheduled, routine visits to the home by the therapist are a useful resource that have contributed to the emotional development of the young people. The young people actively engage and view the sessions as an additional outlet for unloading thoughts and worries.

p.7

Outstanding

Staff facilitate effectively for the young people to spend time with significant others. The contact arrangements are supervised, documented and reported back to the social worker, allowing young people to build upon existing relationships while maintaining their sense of family and identity.

p.7

Outstanding

The home is immaculately maintained, providing considerable space and resources available to the young people. Every room is decorated based on input of the young people. The young people personalise their bedrooms and they are motivated to ensure that they remain clean and tidy. The staff office is conveniently located for young people to access their records and information when needed. The garden area is large enough for young people to gather and have outdoor events, such as barbecues with staff. Judgement grade

p.7

Good

The effective safeguarding of the young people is a strength of staff practice. Their trusting relationships with the young people have allowed open and honest conversations; significant safety concerns are a rare occurrence. The young people are unanimous in the view that they feel safe.

p.8

Good

The local authority designated officer expressed no concerns for how the staff safeguard the young people. She believes the home is one of the best in the area at protecting young people and the manager promptly refers any serious incidents for consultation. The designated officer has been invited to the home by the manager to see the environment first-hand and meet the young people informally.

p.8

Good

Concerns for young people have been identified in comprehensive risk assessments that offer advice and guidance to staff. The regularly reviewed documents often create opportunities for the young people to undertake tasks that benefit their personal development. Young people’s risk assessments for specific concerns or activities are extremely robust, enabling staff to support young people to take age- appropriate risks.

p.8

Good

A new approach, based upon recent research in behaviour management focusing on empathy for the young people, has recently been implemented. The goal is to develop staff awareness into the triggers of negative behaviours, allowing them to focus on prevention rather than intervention. Social workers report numerous improvements in behaviour of young people placed in the home. The development of insight into their concerning behaviour has allowed young people to remain focused while developing a good level of resilience.

p.8

Good

Currently, the proactive responses to the unwanted behaviour of young people by staff has resulted in the limited use of restraint. However, the documenting of these events needs to improve, as identified at the previous inspection. The behaviours of the young people and the actions of staff prior to incidents were not clearly identified when reviewed.

p.8

Good

There was a robust response to the one incident on record of a young person going missing. Staff evidenced, in a well-written chronology, that there was excellent communication with police and professionals, resulting in the safe return of the young person. Staff led discussions and return to care interviews, which allowed the young person to reflect on their actions.

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Good

The local community officer conducts workshops every three months to target specific issues or concerns that arise for the young people. This provides an opportunity for young people to learn to keep themselves safe while changing any negative perceptions of the police. The officer said, ‘The staff are competent and flag up any concerns in a professional manner.’

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Good

Safe recruitment practices by managers contribute to the precautions undertaken to keep young people safe. The manager successfully recruits staff that have the skills to work with young people, and he checks and understands their backgrounds. A thorough induction programme ensures that new staff are monitored while completing all training essential to safeguarding.

p.9

Good

The staff ensure that the environment is risk-free. Health and safety checks are completed within acceptable intervals. Fire safety procedures, such as fire drills and other household checks, are conducted frequently.

p.9

Outstanding

The qualified, registered manager has managed the home for a considerable number of years. He continues to be passionate and committed to the young people and a stable presence they can rely on. The staff and young people respect and exhibit an admiration for the manager, based on his open and honest approach that allows the home to function at a high level.

p.9

Outstanding

The placements of the young people are successful, with none having had to end early due to poor progress. This manager provides an extensive overview of the care young people receive. He is actively involved in their day-to-day routine and has a thorough understanding of their needs. This enables him to lead the team in delivering effective care and allows timely decisions to be made on behalf of the young people.

p.9

Outstanding

Meticulous internal and external monitoring of the home provides insight to the manager that allows him to proactively address any areas of weakness, thus constantly developing the quality of service. The manager has formulated comprehensive plans of action after analysing all data available. This includes the detailed monthly reports of the independent visitor, which provide unbiased scrutiny of staff practice. The two-year development plan, revised in January 2017, is forward-thinking, focused on improving outcomes for the young people and guided by their views.

p.9

Outstanding

The majority of the staff are qualified, experienced and have worked in the home for several years, providing additional consistency for the young people. The recent loss of a long-term house manager to promotion has not had a negative impact on the young people, as they understood why she left and the staff team remained stable. The shift patterns worked (seven days on/seven days off) have allowed a cohesive unit to form around the young people, which provides a continuity of care familiar to them.

p.9

Outstanding

The staff excel in caring for the young people by being transparent and child- focused in their practice. The manager provides them with the necessary opportunities to develop and have their practice assessed through training and reflective supervision. The most recent workforce development plan provides an extensive overview of how staff skills will be monitored and further advanced.

p.10

Outstanding

The manager addresses all practice-related concerns for staff promptly. He was able to evidence a robust response to a recent incident that is currently under an internal investigation. The matter is being addressed with discretion, having no impact on the young people; this process further assures that the staff are competent in their duties.

p.10

Outstanding

The engagement and quality of relationships with professionals is exceptional. Staff provided specific examples of how they communicate effectively on all matters relating to the young people. They have shown a great ability to hold all who play a role in the care of the young people accountable, without breaching professional boundaries. This practice has allowed prompt access to supportive services with positive outcomes for the young people. The home demonstrates a good level of multi-agency working to improve outcomes for young people.

p.10

Outstanding

The statement of purpose has been updated and promptly submitted to Ofsted. The ethos of the home is clearly outlined and available for all who enquire into the service.

p.10

Outstanding

The sole requirement raised in this report does not have significant influence on the progress and experience of the young people.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children’s home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children’s home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children’s home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children’s home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children’s home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 that 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 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

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Information about this inspection

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 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

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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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