Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in West Sussex

Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 1 SC482300 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd Interim inspection 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 six children and young people who may have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The company also provides an on-site education provision.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2019.

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Inspection date: 21 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager was on a period of absence during this inspection. However, the senior team is doing an excellent job in maintaining the quality of care for children at the home. The team members have worked effectively together to sustain a positive environment for children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress. Children have reduced risk-taking behaviours and improved their engagement in education, and they are learning to manage complex emotions. Staff say that the home is very settled and that children are enjoying the atmosphere.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been focusing on improving communication. Team meetings have been redesigned, and a new daily shift plan is helping staff to add more clarity and structure to their days.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one new short-term placement during this period. It was agreed by all professionals around the child that a shared residential setting was not right for him, and he moved on to another placement. Despite the placement ending, the placing authority was grateful for the work that the staff had undertaken. Staff were able to provide useful information and had a good insight into his needs. This enabled the placing authority to have a clearer understanding of future placing options for the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff were very positive about the continuity of support that they had received in their manager’s absence. Training and supervisions were delivered to schedule. Staff attainment, in line with the organisation’s training targets, has greatly improved since the last inspection. A new staff member praised the quality of his induction and the support he got from the team as he settled into his new role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have made excellent progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have created new systems for capturing the progress and achievements of children. A new memory book has been created which all the children contribute to. This contains photographs and reminders of positive experiences that children have had either at the home or out on activities. There have also been enhancements to the home’s rewards systems for children. This ensures that their achievements are captured and celebrated every day. Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 3 There has been one serious incident since the last inspection. A child managed to breach the security of the office and take keys to the home. Managers carried out a very thorough investigation which identified a range of learning points for staff. Security systems have been improved to ensure that there could be no recurrence of this event.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have responded well to concerns raised at their recent external fire audit. They have taken all necessary action to address fire hazards. Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/07/2019 Full Good 25/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2018 Full Good 17/10/2017 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 5

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC482300 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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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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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC482300 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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