Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482295 1 SC482295

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Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care and accommodation for up to seven children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post has been vacant since 30 March 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This home was last inspected in January 2021. An off-site inspection took place at that time, due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. However, Ofsted received concerns about the condition of the home and about children’s safety. This monitoring visit took place on site. Both the responsible individual and the manager were present during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

The home is, overall, appropriately maintained. Communal areas are nicely decorated, with ample space and facilities for the children. There is some superficial damage; this was being repaired during the inspection. The staff team is reorganising some rooms and, as a result, some furniture is being disposed of and new furniture being installed. During the inspection, children were happily assisting staff with making changes to the home and deciding where new furniture should be placed. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and they take pride in how the home is presented.

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This monitoring visit

Two fire doors need replacing but this has not happened yet. The responsible individual and manager have raised this issue with senior managers in the organisation but, to date, this has not been resolved. The manager said that the doors have needed replacing since January 2021. There is the potential that the fire safety measures in the home are compromised. Ofsted has also notified the local fire and rescue service of these concerns. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482295 2 The home had experienced a turbulent few weeks prior to this visit. This can be attributed to children’s frustration with the lockdown restrictions and them spending more time in the home together. The manager and responsible individual have reflected on the mix of children in the home and, while there are no current plans for another child to move in, they are reviewing their admission processes for the

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This monitoring visit

future. A child recently left the home, in a planned way, to move to a new placement. This followed the provider liaising with the placing authority and agreeing that a new placement would better suit the child’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

Although risks are clearly identified in children’s records, arrangements to reduce risk are less effective. For example, where daily checks need to take place, there is no visible system for either recording these checks or ensuring that they have been completed. The inspector asked to see evidence that checks were taking place to reduce the risk of smoking in bedrooms. These records could not be located and there was no corroborating information elsewhere in the home’s recording system.

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This monitoring visit

Children were observed to be happy, relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings. The inspector spoke with two of the three children during this monitoring visit. All children have an educational placement and attend in line with their agreed plans. The responsible individual maintains a close oversight of the home. While the manager has yet to be registered, evidence was shown to the inspector that an application has been made to Ofsted for registration. The home has now been without a registered manager for nearly two years.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of this monitoring visit, two requirements have been made. The recommendation, relating to staff training, was not checked at this visit and so is repeated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/09/2019 Full Good 29/08/2018 Full Good 15/11/2017 Full Good 07/10/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482295 3

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that all assessed risks have identified actions in place to reduce the risk to the child. 12 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) 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)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that all fire doors in the home are suitable for use and protect children from the risk of fire. 12 March 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482295 4 they play in the training and development of staff in the home. In particular, ensure that staff have appropriate time and resources to complete required training courses. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.1)

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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

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 Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sadie Dangerfield

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Inspector

Pete Hylton, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482295 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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Inspector

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