Children's home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 1

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Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company that operates a number of children’s homes across the country owns this home. This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has had three managers since registration in December 2017. The head of care is currently based at the home and is providing management oversight while a manager is recruited. The home has been without a registered manager since August 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit to the home on 14 May 2020, following escalating concerns from notifications and an incident of whistleblowing which highlighted serious concerns in staff practice.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found serious shortfalls in respect of the safeguarding of children and the leadership and management of the home. As a result, Ofsted issued two compliance notices in respect of regulation 12 and regulation 13. A notice that restricted the number of children that the home can accommodate was also issued on 18 May 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit is to check that the service is continuing to comply with the restriction of accommodation notice and to review the provider’s progress in meeting two compliance notices in line with their set completion dates.

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This monitoring visit

Since the visit on 14 May 2020, the manager has now left, and the head of care is based at the home and is providing management oversight while an appropriately experienced and qualified manager is recruited. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 2 The provider has continued to comply with the restriction of accommodation. Consequently, no new children have been admitted to the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that both compliance notices have been met.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed all risk assessments, and staff have read and signed these. These assessments now contain all necessary information to reduce the risk of harm to children living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have been provided with clear procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child or about the practice of anyone working in the home. Staff have completed refresher training in whistleblowing and safeguarding.

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This monitoring visit

All staff working in the home have received practice-related, reflective supervision. They have also had their performance reviewed through an annual appraisal. Clear flow charts provide staff with effective step-by-step guidance on how to manage complex issues. Staff told the inspector that they feel supported and said that they fully understand their roles and responsibilities, specifically in relation to safeguarding incidents. Staff have welcomed the new management arrangements and the improved clear lines of accountability.

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This monitoring visit

Management monitoring systems have been implemented. Audits have been undertaken and an action plan developed to ensure that the children living in the home benefit from systems which effectively monitor, review and improve the care provided to them.

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This monitoring visit

While the inspector found progress in a number of areas, this progress is in its infancy, and further work is required to ensure that improved practice is embedded. Consequently, the notice to restrict the number of children that the home can accommodate will remain in place until 9 August 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Managers are continuing to make progress on the remaining requirements that are not yet due. These will be considered at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/01/2020 Full Good 17/09/2019 Full Inadequate 22/11/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/06/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 4

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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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(xi)) 26/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 26/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(4)(a)(b)) 26/06/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 5 The registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iii)(iv)) 26/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37(1)(2)(a)(b)(c)) 26/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(b)(c)(e)) 26/06/2020

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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

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements. The purpose of this Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 6 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 (2) Limited

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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

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1258095 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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