Children's home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited in Stratford-on-Avon

Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 1 SC461275 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 privately run home offers support, education and therapeutic care for up to two children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma which has left them vulnerable. The home is currently providing care for one child. The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in February 2017.

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Inspection date: 16 March 2020

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 16 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff team have addressed the requirements raised at the full inspection. All shortfalls have been met. Two further shortfalls have been raised as part of this interim inspection. However, these do not detract from an overall judgement that the home has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has updated the assessment of local risks to include the busy main road the home sits on, local waterways and local businesses. The assessment and mitigation of local risks have improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has notified Ofsted of all notifiable incidents since the last inspection. Two recent allegations against staff have been investigated thoroughly by the home’s manager. This information was shared with the designated officer, who was satisfied with the outcomes of both investigations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff de-escalate unwanted behaviours to good effect but sometimes physical interventions are necessary to keep people safe. The recording of physical interventions now contains the correct level of detail. The child currently living at the home is more settled now and there has been only one physical intervention since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s statement of purpose has been updated to accurately reflect the services the home provides. Information about monitoring and surveillance is now included.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The risk assessment for the use of a bedroom door alarm was updated following the last inspection. This alarm has now been deactivated, after it was assessed that it was no longer needed. This means the child’s movement is monitored no more than necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monthly reports from an independent visitor have improved. Feedback from families and professionals is now gathered. This improves Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been redecorated throughout to a good standard and some new furnishings have been purchased. The grounds of the home have been cleared of all unused and discarded items. The paving stones and exterior walls have been cleaned and the home and grounds look nurturing and welcoming. Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 3 Staff use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. Staff sometimes use sanctions to address difficult and destructive actions. These sanctions are proportionate and are recorded accurately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child accesses a range of activities in the community and within the home. He has recently started playing for a local football team. This adds to the child’s sense of belonging as well as developing his skills and talents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The relationships between staff and the child are positive. Staff encourage the child to see his family, which promotes his sense of identity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the clear guidelines to follow if the child leaves the home without permission. Staff will follow the child and look for him in the local area. Since the last inspection, the child has not needed to be reported missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been improvements to the systems used for monitoring and reviewing the care provided in the home. However, the most recent six-monthly review of the quality of care did not consider or analyse any safeguarding matters over the period. This means that the review of the quality of care was ineffective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child occasionally smokes tobacco in his bedroom. Staff have worked hard with the child to support him to stop smoking. They have involved the fire service several times to reduce associated risks. The home’s fire risk assessment states that the home is a no smoking site. Despite the best efforts of staff, they have been unable to enforce this. This leaves people at risk. Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/07/2017 Full Good 24/01/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 5

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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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b)) 30/08/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. 30/06/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 6 The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5)) Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 7

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that Covid-19 is currently posing to those we inspect. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements.

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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: SC461275 8

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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: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Ltd, Turnpike Gate House, Alcester Heath, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5JG

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Inspector

Ricky D’Arcy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC461275 9 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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