Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children‟s Services (2) Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 1 SC398481 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted registered this home in July 2009. The home is owned by a large private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to five children whose adverse early childhood experiences and trauma may result in them exhibiting complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children lived in the home. Since the last inspection, a new manager has taken over the day-to-day running of the home. She is experienced and has recently applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 17 November 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. Ofsted returned to undertake an interim inspection in response to information received that caused concern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The same two children live at the home as at the time of the last inspection. Managers use high numbers of agency staff. This does not provide children with consistent care and enable them to build positive and trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. On one occasion, three agency staff were left in sole charge of the home during the night. A child became distressed when a familiar carer was leaving and tried to prevent the staff member doing so. Physical intervention was required to keep the child safe, such was the level of their distress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another child’s social worker informed the inspector that the inconsistent staffing arrangements have contributed to a decline in their child’s emotional well-being. Because of this, the child struggles to engage in day-to-day life at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff are not doing enough to support a child’s emotional well-being and provide them with support and access to services they need. The organisation’s clinical team has found it difficult to engage the child in direct work. While they are attempting to support the child indirectly through consultation with staff, the effectiveness of this is undermined by inconsistent staff working in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of physical intervention incidents do not provide sufficient information to enable the reader to understand what techniques staff have used and if the intervention was necessary. Incidents are not always reviewed by managers within timescales. This practice does not support a reflective culture and has the potential for practice concerns not to be addressed promptly. Managers do not always speak to children and staff about physical intervention incidents to ascertain their views and check on their welfare. This makes it difficult to understand if physical intervention used was appropriate and proportionate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Poor staff practice has left children vulnerable to the risk of harm. For example, on several occasions a child has been able to access staff’s personal items, including mobile phones, vapes and medication. Despite managers putting in suitable storage for staff to secure their personal items, staff have not always used these and learning from incidents that happen is not taken seriously.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Written plans to support staff to respond effectively to behaviours that may pose a risk to a child or others lack detail. For example, guidance for managing allegations does not include information for staff about who they need to contact, nor state that Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 3 they should make contact without delay. This has the potential to place children at risk of harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s experiences of learning are mixed. One child attends school daily and is making progress. Another child has not attended or engaged in any learning for a significant period of time. Although managers and staff recognise that this lack of engagement is a cause for concern, they have not worked proactively and effectively with professionals to review the child’s education plans and needs. These delays do not support the child to return to learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are significant gaps in staff training. Some staff do not have up-to-date training about self-harm, including ligaturing. This is a significant shortfall as this is a current risk that children need support with. Staff have limited knowledge about complex trauma and as a result, staff do not always respond to children in a way that is helpful. Delays in staff receiving training do not support staff to fulfil their roles and responsibilities in a way that reduces risk and provides quality of care to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some aspects of the home environment are tired. Plans are in place to improve the physical environment, including replacing stained carpets and redecorating. These plans now need to be implemented.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers ensure that staff work in line with plans that set out arrangements for children to keep in touch with people who are important to them. When issues arise that may affect a child’s time with loved ones, the manager takes action quickly. This helps children to enjoy safe and positive time with people they care about. Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2021 Full Good 13/01/2020 Full Outstanding 13/02/2019 Full Outstanding 31/10/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 5

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children.

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, support a child to develop daily routines that support their emotional health and well-being, and help them to engage in daily life at the home and to benefit from positive experiences while living at the home. 3 January 2022

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

that staff— 3 January 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 6 understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, escalate concerns about a child’s lack of engagement in education and take prompt action to prioritise the child’s return to education.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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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

that staff help each child to understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children have access to support regarding their emotional health and that staff support children appropriately. 3 January 2022

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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— 3 January 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 7 that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children receive care from experienced and skilled staff who know the children well.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has not been met. 3 January 2022

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Requirement Due date

*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

details of the child’s behaviour leading to 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

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;

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate;

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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 3 January 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 8 confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iv)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff record details of any de-escalation strategies used to divert children’s behaviour, a clear description of the restraint technique used and opportunities for staff and children to receive a debrief. This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has not been met.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 9

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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: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC398481 10 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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