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

Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 1 SC482296 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who, according to its statement of purpose, ‘may have specific emotional, behavioural and attachment difficulties due to early childhood trauma’. Currently all the children are boys. The organisation’s school is located on the same site.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 27 May 2009.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 10 to 11 September 2019

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/10/2018 Full Outstanding 22/08/2017 Full Outstanding 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding 21/04/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure:

p.3

Requirement Due date

that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(i))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that safeguarding risk assessments identify the potential behaviours a child may exhibit, describe responses that staff should consider making if an incident occurs, and accurately assess the potential severity of an incident. 31/10/2019

p.3

Recommendations

 To meet the aspirations embodied in the Quality Standards, children’s homes need to connect with and be part of the wider support system for each child in their care. No children’s home will be able to meet, on its own, all of a child’s needs. It is crucial that the home works in close partnership with all those who play a role in protecting and caring for the child, but particularly the child’s local authority and statutory social worker. The registered person and the staff of the home cannot force a relevant person to engage or work productively with them and the regulation does not require this. The registered person should evidence what they have done to achieve engagement, including any actions taken to escalate concerns. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.3) Specifically, this refers to the need to escalate concerns to local authority

p.3

Recommendations

managers when child looked after documentation is not made available promptly.  Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11) In particular, ensure that actions agreed in key-work sessions are reported back to children and recorded. Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 4  The registered person should have a workforce plan which should detail the process and timescales for supervision of practice and keep appropriate records for staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) In particular, the registered person should ensure that all staff receive supervision as required and that the registered manager receives their own supervision notes in a timely manner.  The registered person should make best use of information from internal

p.3

Recommendations

monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24) This is in particular regard to evaluating the use of measures of control for appropriateness and effectiveness and ensuring that children’s views of the measure itself are sought as well as their reflections on their behaviour.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have, in many cases, not previously experienced consistent, loving care and have missed some important developmental opportunities. The adults make sure that each child has ample opportunity to make up for these gaps and, as a result, children flourish in their care. As one child said, ‘It is a very nice home, the staff make sure it is fair and square and every kid gets a chance.’

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is a strong ethos in which relationships are strengthened by common experiences and by facing difficulties with emotional and practical support. Adults ensure that even when things get difficult, typically when children cannot contain destructive feelings, they can be emotionally held and relationships can withstand the strongest of tests. This enables children to face the challenges they have with ever-increasing resilience.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Adults, particularly key workers, have a remarkably detailed knowledge of the children. Their understanding of children’s needs is such that they anticipate how they are likely to respond in particular situations and develop strategies to manage these reactions. Staff ensure that life is as predictable as possible for children, from setting regular routines to ensuring that those who have not experienced, for example, an activity holiday know what to expect, by showing them photographs of the venue and things they can do there. In turn, this helps to lessen children’s anxieties and prepares them for change.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children’s emotional development is exceptional; they can allow themselves to regress to experience activities younger children typically enjoy, such as tickling, and mature to take greater responsibility and find better ways of dealing with problems – even if not consistently. One mother said her son was ‘totally different’ having lived in this home, and that ‘he is a lot calmer’.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All the children have an excellent school attendance record. This is despite, for some Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 5 children, not being engaged in education for considerable periods before coming to the home. One professional described this as ‘a massive positive’ for a child. Many still do struggle with being in classes and engaging in education but staff in the home and school find creative ways to increase their capacity to learn. As a result of this effective collaboration, children gradually close the gap between their current attainment and national averages.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff promote the individual interests of children. The great majority of children regularly attend one or more clubs or regular activities, while others are helped to pursue their hobbies. One boy has models he has made with his key worker vying for space in his bedroom. The time and effort devoted to him by the worker have contributed significantly to the marvellous relationship they have developed. Children love the large grounds, with its play equipment and animal pens.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff skilfully facilitate children’s moves in and out of the home. Professionals and carers have commented on how they and children have benefited from this work. One described the approach as ‘very rare’ and another, ‘as child focused as they could be’. Staff give a significant level of thought as to what would best suit the particular child, and demonstrate this in excellent records. Relationships continue after a child moves on, for as long as is welcomed by the child.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have very positive relationships with adults, whose care of them balances firm and consistent boundaries with affirmative interactions and enjoying shared experiences. One key worker put together a journal of observations, match reports and comments by coaches to present to a child at the end of the season as a record of all he had contributed to his team. This is an excellent example of how staff creatively find ways of elevating children’s sense of being an accomplished person. For many this transfers to other areas of their lives, so that they also realise their potential in education and social interactions.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are more consistently debriefing children, following giving them a sanction or being involved in a restraint, than previously. This helps children consider their behaviour and how they may have avoided the consequence. However, managers do not always ask them their views about the measure of control and so miss an opportunity to ensure that children understand the reasons for these measures or can raise concerns.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children know how to complain and what to do if they don’t think the manager or staff are taking notice. They also raise concerns at children’s meetings. Children said that their views are listened to and their suggestions had been taken up

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Workshops on specific topics are held, some led by a local police community support officer. One on internet safety has led to children understanding the potential dangers of the internet.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Key workers often make their sessions informal to better engage children. Children who are reluctant to have a formal meeting are also reluctant to read the records, not seeing what the benefit is. However, at least one child who wants to read them said he has not Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 6 always been able to. The recording format has a section to follow up on actions from previous sessions but this is rarely, if ever, used. This means that an opportunity for children to see how their views are considered is missed.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding practice is good, with consistent approaches taken to keep children safe. However, risk assessments are not all specific enough. For example, a risk assessment for sexualised behaviour referred to ‘inappropriate behaviour’ rather than the potential activity. Severity was scored ‘negligible’ despite the potential impact on a peer. This means new or bank staff with limited knowledge of the child would have insufficient guidance on how to respond if the situation were to occur.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff have obtained advice and resources to help them meet the cultural and religious needs of individual children. Children know from this experience that adults will support them to observe customs and rituals in a manner that affirms their heritage.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Adults in the home give considerable thought to how to help children benefit from visits to and from their families. They facilitate these well to make them as positive an experience as possible. As a result, children know that relationships that are important to them are also valued by those who care for them day to day.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has made improvements in all areas addressed by recommendations at the last inspection, for example by introducing a new consent form that covers administering first aid as well as medication. Senior staff continue to build on the already excellent care given to children. An example is the introduction of analyses of restrictive physical interventions for each child. These examine instances in the previous three months, identifications of potential triggers in the coming three months and the development of strategies to avoid having to hold children in that period. This is having a positive impact for some children. However, the manager’s monitoring of individual instances of a physical intervention or the giving of a sanction is variable. Some records have no view expressed about the appropriateness or effectiveness of the measure. Opportunities to learn lessons may therefore be missed.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders create an environment in which staff feel that it is OK to ask for, and deserve, support. One creative way of doing this has been the introduction of handy cards for staff that prompt them to consider ways they can look after themselves, particularly after a stressful event.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff feel particularly well supported in their roles, valuing their supervision and training opportunities. One member of staff said supervision is ‘really helpful, a chance to ask questions that you may not want to discuss in front of peers. You know the response will be constructive. Regardless of the issue, you can be open to talk about it.’ Although most staff receive frequent supervision, night staff are falling well short of the nine sessions per year specified in the home’s workforce plan.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision records read during the inspection were detailed and demonstrate that difficult issues have been sensitively and supportively addressed. However, those for the Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 7 manager are sometimes limited in content and often delayed in being provided, by a matter of months.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Families, carers and professionals reported good communication with the home, and particularly appreciate prompt updates and information about the progress of placements. Several spoke of positive relationships staff had with them and children; one said, ‘I could not speak more highly of them.’

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff chase placing authorities when they do not make documentation available within reasonable timescales but do not escalate to more senior staff in the authority when this prevents them from producing plans or minutes. This means that important plans are no quicker in being produced.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations of, and for, her staff and the children – who also know they have the support needed to meet them. The therapeutic approach that underpins this is, in the words of the clinical lead, ‘Really embedded. It is seamless. Therapy is threaded through the placement plan.’

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular consultations for the whole team with therapy staff help them all to reflect on practice and develop consistent, child-centred approaches. This contributes significantly to the often remarkable progress children are making across all developmental areas.

p.7

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.

p.7

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Inspector

Chris Peel, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC482296 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9