Children's home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Havant

Assurance visit report: SC011972 1 SC011972

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Information about this children’s home

This privately operated home is registered to provide care for up to six young people. Currently, only boys are accommodated. The home specialises in caring for young people who have experienced trauma in their lives and may exhibit some behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 29 November 2011.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 19 November 2019

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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. Assurance visit report: SC011972 2

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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.

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The care of children

Children are doing well at the home. They benefit from being cared for by a core staff team that knows their needs, aspirations and vulnerabilities. The impact of COVID-19 has been minimised by the well-thought-through support they have received during the pandemic.

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The care of children

Children have been kept busy and active during lockdown. Staff make considerable efforts to ensure that they have been able to take part in interesting and enriching activities while keeping within the constraints of national guidance. Staff use opportunities to educate children and raise their awareness of others in their community. For example, they donate food to a local food bank and learn that some people may be having a difficult time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The care of children

A significant strength of the home is how education is promoted. Children benefit from support with their learning. Children have maintained excellent levels of attendance at their schools. Teachers speak very positively about the communication and sensitive support which staff provide. This approach has enabled children to benefit from continuity and stability in an important part of their lives.

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The care of children

Children receive regular therapy which helps them to reflect on their pasts, their behaviours and coping strategies. Additionally, staff know the children in their care well and understand their individual plans and how to support them if they are worried or upset. Their knowledge and understanding are underpinned by strong, caring relationships which help the children to feel safe and secure.

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The care of children

Children’s views are promoted and valued. They have numerous opportunities to voice their opinions and can influence their day-to-day lives, especially when making choices and decisions in areas such as activities, décor and menus.

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The care of children

Children have been supported to maintain contact with their families during COVID- 19. While physical contact has been restricted, they have been able to stay in touch their families with the use of technology. Staff are very aware of the emotional impact of restrictions and have helped the children to understand why these measures have been imposed. Once visits and face-to-face contact were allowed again, staff have made sure that visits have been reintroduced.

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The safety of children

Each child’s individual character is known and understood. As a result, behaviour support is tailored to their own specific needs and characteristics. Consequently, children make significant progress, especially in areas such as self-regulation, coping with frustration and understanding others’ points of view. Tolerance is promoted and Assurance visit report: SC011972 3 valued. This has led to a marked reduction in incidents and a feeling of pride in the children in how they have learned new skills and self-control.

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The safety of children

The use of physical restraint is proportionate. Managers review incidents promptly to ensure that practice is safe and that the children’s views are sought. Members of staff ensure that they reflect with the children and each other after physical restraint has been used so that the event is seen as a learning opportunity for all concerned.

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The safety of children

On occasion, sanctions are imposed. While these are proportionate and fair, the staff are inconsistent in recording these in a timely manner. This can delay monitoring of their effectiveness by managers within the timescales required under regulation.

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The safety of children

Staff know what to do and who to inform if they have any concerns about a child’s well-being. External professionals, including safeguarding staff and social workers, are confident that the staff report issues appropriately and in a timely manner.

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The safety of children

Use of the internet is closely monitored to ensure that children are kept safe and educated about the risks of the cyber world. This approach considers the young ages of the children and their vulnerabilities. On one occasion, a child newly admitted was able to bring a laptop into the home which already contained inappropriate content. Members of staff did not check the device and consequently he was able to view this content until a member of staff noticed it. There has been ongoing support and reflection with the child as a result of this incident. The content has been deleted and the child’s social worker has been informed. Managers have reflected on the learning of this incident and are introducing checks on any new technology brought into the home from now on.

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Leaders and managers

The home has had four managers in 12 months. However, the return of the registered manager has provided stability to the staff team. Despite this period of change, a core group of staff has remained focused in providing nurturing care to the children. This has in turn given children the stability they need to make significant progress.

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Leaders and managers

At the last inspection, a requirement was made in relation to ensuring that all members of staff, including bank and agency staff, receive regular supervision. Due to the changes in management and attempting to minimise footfall in the home because of the impact of COVID-19, this has not been fully addressed. Other members of staff report good levels of support from managers and effective teamwork.

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Leaders and managers

A requirement was also made at the last inspection in relation to updating the fire risk assessment and having it endorsed by the local fire authority. This has been addressed. There are clear evacuation plans in place for the children, regular fire drills take place and the fire risk assessment has been reviewed and kept up to date. Assurance visit report: SC011972 4 The impact of COVID-19 on both children and staff has been understood by all members of staff and managers. Clear protocols are in place with regards to managing visitors to the home and all the children understand why wider restrictions are in place for the whole population. This approach has reassured the children and helped to keep everyone safe.

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Leaders and managers

Training has continued for all staff; the majority of this being virtual training online. The registered manager has monitored this to ensure that staff are up to date, especially with key training in areas such as safeguarding and administration of medication. Consequently, the staff have the skills and knowledge to provide a good standard of care.

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Leaders and managers

External professionals speak positively about how children benefit from their placement at this home. They compliment the levels of communication and promptness of the staff to inform them of any significant events.

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; 31 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC011972 5 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This is with reference to ensuring that, on their admission to the home, children’s electronic devices, such as laptops, are checked to ensure that they do not contain inappropriate material.

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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)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to agency members of staff and others who may work at the home as bank staff. 31 March 2021

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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

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 31 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC011972 6 the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This is with reference to ensuring that staff record sanctions promptly so that they can be reviewed in a timely manner by managers.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hillcrest Children’s Services Limited, Turnpike Gate House, Alcester Heath, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5JG.

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Inspector

Paul Taylor, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC011972 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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