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

Assurance visit report: SC482300 1 SC482300

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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/or 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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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 21 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Sustained effectiveness

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC482300 2

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The care of children

Staff demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the care and support of children. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have worked tirelessly to provide consistent, high-quality care and support. Staff recognise the challenges that children face adapting to the many changes to routine and lifestyle brought about by the pandemic. They work with great empathy and understanding to support children, helping to lower their anxiety and enabling them to maintain a positive quality of life. Staff speak about the resilience of children at this time and are proud of the way that children have adapted.

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The care of children

Staff and children work together to produce a photographic journal of their day-to- day ‘adventures’. A child proudly went through the book showing all the things they had been doing at the home to prepare for the Christmas holidays.

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The care of children

Children have missed out on many of the clubs and activities they normally participate in due to closures resulting from lockdown. However, staff worked hard to replace those with positive activities and memorable experiences. Children take pride in their achievements and enjoy living at the home.

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The care of children

Staff prioritise children’s emotional and physical health. A child with a serious health condition has been expertly supported as she prepares to undergo specialist treatment. Staff benefit from excellent support from the attached clinical lead. They talk about the work they do with the therapist and how it benefits their professional development. They also find it helpful to explore strategies and effective ways of working with children who have very complex histories and needs. Staff want to take these strategies further and show a strong interest in developing their skills in counselling and child psychology.

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The care of children

Children have maintained their educational progress throughout the pandemic as they have an attached school on site.

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The safety of children

Staff show a well-developed understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities towards children. They demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the particular needs of individual children in the home.

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The safety of children

Children have positive relationships of trust with staff which enables open dialogue about issues that could impact on their safety. This has helped to keep safeguarding incidents low.

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The safety of children

Recently, a child moved from the home after a significant deterioration in their behaviours. Staff’s multi-agency work to try and stabilise the placement was evident. Children and staff spoke about their sadness around the child moving to a new place. However, staff are confident that they did everything they possibly could to support the child, and the decision for them to move was clearly a painful one for all concerned. Assurance visit report: SC482300 3 Despite the challenges of sourcing face-to-face training for staff, the use of in-house and online resources has enabled staff to maintain their knowledge and skill base during the pandemic. However, training records are spread across several different documents which makes it hard to keep track of training progress for the team.

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Leaders and managers

The leadership team at the home continues to provide excellent care and support to children and staff alike. Staff morale is very high despite the obvious pressures brought on by COVID-19. The manager recognises that staff are tired, many having rescheduled leave and breaks to ensure that cover remained consistent throughout the lockdowns.

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Leaders and managers

The manager maintains strong and effective oversight of all practice at the home. She is ably supported by an excellent deputy and team of seniors. The leadership team makes good use of both internal and external monitoring to make continuous improvement at the home.

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Leaders and managers

The manager places the child’s voice at the heart of decision-making at the home. Children clearly feel valued and recognise that they have an influence.

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Leaders and managers

Staff speak highly of the quality supervision and support they receive. One member of staff said that, in the 13 years he has been working in residential care, this is by far the best leadership team he has ever worked for. He said that the team values the experience of its staff and promotes their voices at all times.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is a strong advocate for children and will fight to ensure that they get the best possible support and services. In doing so, she has supported the team to deliver some excellent outcomes for children.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) In particular, keep clear records of completed training and upcoming training plans for all staff. Assurance visit report: SC482300 4

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

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC482300 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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