Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited in Staffordshire

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC398482 1 SC398482 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager ensures that young people receive individualised care, designed to meet their needs. Young people receive a high level of care from a nurturing and committed staff team. As a result, young people continue to thrive and make significant progress.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are increasingly able to regulate their emotions, make and sustain relationships, and reduce risk-taking behaviour. However, records do not show clearly the progress that young people make. A recommendation is raised so that the manager and staff can establish a recording system that accurately describes the progress young people make.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive praise for good behaviour and frequently earn rewards. Young people learn about how their behaviour impacts on themselves and other people. As a Interim inspection report children’s home: SC398482 2 result, young people invest in their home and are increasingly unlikely to go missing or put themselves at risk. This strengths-based approach means that incidents requiring restraint are rare. When they do occur, records clearly describe what happened and staff support young people to reflect and learn from the incidents.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people develop very positive and trusting relationships with staff. They recognise that the staff genuinely care about them and want the best for them. A young person told the inspector, ‘The staff are just like a mum. When we are upset they help you. It’s just like a home here, it’s normal. The staff don’t just see this as a job, they actually care.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people frequently attend a range of activities. This helps young people to feel part of their local community and interact with other young people outside of their home. Staff encourage young people to pursue interests and hobbies. This gives young people a sense of pride and increases their self-esteem.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, one new young person has come to live at the home and one young person has left. The manager’s child-focused and committed approach ensured that these transitions were managed effectively.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager commenced her role in November 2017 and she has applied to register with Ofsted. She has developed a positive and nurturing environment for young people to live in. Shared spaces in the home are well furnished and welcoming. Young people personalise their bedrooms to reflect their individual tastes and interests. However, one young person’s bedroom furniture is in need of repair.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to seek new ways to increase young people’s participation in the day-to-day running of the home. For example, recently formed weekly group meetings allow young people to express their views in a positive, non-judgemental forum. In addition, young people are consulted on a range of issues including the décor of the home, holiday locations and contact with their families. Recently, a young person asked to see their family in the community rather than at a contact centre. Staff advocated on the young person’s behalf and now supervise community-based family contact. Listening to young people helps them to feel valued.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel supported by their manager and morale is high. As a result, staff feel valued and are keen to develop. Staff understand and believe in the benefits of the home’s therapeutic model. This ensures that young people continue to receive consistent, nurturing care.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and the staff team are ambitious for young people and value their education. Staff are strong advocates for young people and ensure that they have the appropriate levels of support in place. As a result, young people are more settled in school and are making progress with their learning.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work collaboratively with a range of partner agencies. These include the in-house clinical team, which provides regular oversight of the care young people receive. The Interim inspection report children’s home: SC398482 3 staff also work closely with schools, substance misuse services and the police. When necessary, the manager requests support from partner agencies. This ensures that young people receive care that responds to their needs. For example, the local police community support officer organised an e-safety workshop at the home to inform young people about online risks.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the requirements raised from the last inspection. For example, staff closely monitor the online activity of young people. Furthermore, staff respond to young people who go missing in a timely and effective manner. These improvements protect young people from harm.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2017 Full Good 08/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child (Regulation 6 (1)(2)(c)) In particular, the manager should ensure that broken furniture in young people’s bedrooms is repaired or replaced. 27/04/2018

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Recommendations

 All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date. (‘Guide to the Interim inspection report children’s home: SC398482 4 children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3). In particular, ensure that records accurately describe the progress of young people.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Turnpike Gate House, Alcester Heath, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5JG

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Inspector

Gareth Leckey, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC398482 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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