Children's home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Havant

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482293 1 SC482293

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Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to seven boys who have complex social, emotional and/or mental health needs. Young people can use the two self-contained flats on the premises in preparation for independence. The home has been without a registered manager since 4 January 2019.

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This monitoring visit

The home had a full inspection in September 2018 and was judged to be outstanding. Following a serious incident at the home in March 2019, a monitoring visit took place. A compliance notice, under regulation 12, was issued following this visit. A further monitoring visit was undertaken on 24 April 2019 and it was found that the compliance notice had not been met. It was reissued with a further step added: ‘Ensure risk assessments held on file for each child are of a standard that identifies risks, the signs that a child is at risk and the arrangements to reduce those risks so that staff can take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare.’ The date for meeting all of the compliance notice steps was set for 9 June 2019. This monitoring visit was made on 10 June 2019 to establish compliance with the notice, and whether sufficient progress had been made to ensure that risk

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This monitoring visit

assessments were of the necessary standard to help staff protect children. Each step of the notice was reviewed as part of the visit:

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policies and procedures are in guiding staff to review risk assessments

Senior managers undertook and recorded a review of policies and procedures and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482293 2 identified several shortfalls in the guidance given to staff. The provider has subsequently revised the policy in regard to writing and reviewing individual risk assessments. The inspector found this to be clearer and more comprehensive than the previous version.

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member of staff to recognise the need to update and to write effective risk

Senior managers have reviewed each member of staff, including the interim manager, against specific competencies and recorded whether they have or have not been met. The provider has organised training and mentoring for all staff and their work has subsequently been subject to a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure that all assessments meet the required standard. Senior managers have provided additional support to staff whose skills required further development.

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3. Senior managers to evaluate and report in writing on mechanisms for

monitoring and reviewing the quality of risk assessments in the home.

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3. Senior managers to evaluate and report in writing on mechanisms for

Senior managers assessed the home’s monitoring and review mechanisms and found deficiencies in two areas: how a change of circumstances leads to a review of risk assessments, and the ‘underdeveloped knowledge’ of the management team. The provider has addressed the first, through comprehensive procedures for notifying the manager of changes that prompt a review, and the second by training and mentoring for the interim and deputy managers and team leaders. Since the last visit, the team has developed a handover and risk management folder that contains each young person’s behaviour support plan, risk assessments and missing protocol so that they are immediately to hand. Staff can immediately amend these in the light of events. In addition, the manager has introduced a monthly audit of case files that requires staff to comment on the quality of a number of documents, including risk assessments, and identify actions needed to update them.

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4. Following these reviews draw up and implement an action plan which

identifies and addresses any learning needs, including timely responses.

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4. Following these reviews draw up and implement an action plan which

Senior managers produced three documents, none of which comprehensively and directly address this step, but which together show that the provider has by implication considered the learning from the reviews required by the three steps above and implemented effective remedial action. The lessons learned included in the ‘Risk Assessment Review Process Final’ document demonstrate that senior managers are implementing their learning further than this home into the wider organisation.

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to reduce those risks so that staff can take effective action whenever

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482293 3 there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare.

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to reduce those risks so that staff can take effective action whenever

The risk assessments reviewed during the visit show that their quality has much improved. Staff have laid them out well, giving a clear indication of historical and current issues, particular hazards, their triggers and specific control measures. Scoring logically follows on from these. Assessments are clearly personalised. There are occasional terms such as ‘childhood trauma’ and ‘boundaries’ given as triggers that should be more specific, but are generally understandable given the context. There is a marked improvement in particular assessments identified as falling below standard at the last monitoring visit. During discussions, the manager and staff showed how their understanding of risk assessments, and how these integrate with other documents that inform the care of young people, has developed. This has led to refinements in practice. Ofsted conducted a case review following this monitoring visit and concluded that

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to reduce those risks so that staff can take effective action whenever

the compliance notice, which expired on 9 June 2019, has been met. No requirements or recommendations were made as a result of the visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/09/2018 Full Outstanding 30/08/2017 Full Outstanding 12/12/2016 Full Good 18/05/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482293 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rodrigo Ferreira

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Inspectors

Chris Peel, social care inspector Pete Hylton, regulatory inspection manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482293 5 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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