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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482296 1 SC482296

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Hillcrest Children’s Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home that provides care for up to eight children who have social and/or emotional difficulties due to early childhood trauma. The organisation’s school is located on the same site.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since January 2021.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 10 June 2021, whereby a compliance notice was issued under the leadership and management standard. The purpose of this visit was to monitor compliance with the notice.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring and review systems have been reviewed and are now effective. There is evidence of clear oversight of serious incident records, including restraint, which is consistent. As a result, safeguarding issues are identified and reported to statutory safeguarding agencies. Children are safeguarded effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Management oversight of documentation is improved; however, records do not always capture when they have been shared with senior leaders and managers for review. Without this detail, exact timescales around management oversight remain unclear and documents do not show how timely a manager’s review has been. Delays in oversight could allow poor practice to be left unchecked.

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This monitoring visit

The home environment is safe and free of hazards. Children’s bedrooms are now routinely checked. Any hazards identified within these audits are rectified quickly. Following on from the previous visit, the child’s bedroom has been redecorated to a high standard. This enhances the child’s experience of living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Learning around language used by staff in recording has been a priority since the previous inspection. Audits have been undertaken by the senior management team. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482296 2 All staff have now attended training on appropriate use of language. As a result, records now capture children’s behaviour more sensitively.

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This monitoring visit

Serious events have been notified to Ofsted appropriately. Leaders and managers have close links with the designated officer in the local authority. They work collaboratively developing children’s plans and ongoing safeguarding practice. This has improved leaders’ and managers’ professional practice and understanding in safeguarding policies and procedures.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection, restraint practice has been reviewed. Restraint incidents that take place are proportionate and well recorded. Management oversight is robust and reflective.

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This monitoring visit

A previous requirement to update the statement of purpose had not been actioned. However, this was addressed shortly after the inspection concluded. The previous requirement is restated to ensure that this important document remains under review and is shared with Ofsted as required.

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This monitoring visit

Good progress has been made since the last inspection. As a result, the compliance notice has been met in full. Four out of the five requirements have been met from the previous inspection. One recommendation has been made as a result of this monitoring visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/09/2019 Full Outstanding 03/10/2018 Full Outstanding 22/08/2017 Full Outstanding 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482296 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482296 4

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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: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sadie Dangerfield

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Inspectors

Skye Frain, Social Care Inspector Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC482296 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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