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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC398481 1 SC398481 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Limited

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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 provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

An experienced manager oversees the day-to-day running of the home and has applied to register with Ofsted

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This monitoring visit

The children’s home was judged to have declined in effectiveness at the interim inspection on 17 November 2021. This monitoring visit was to review what progress has been made towards meeting the steps outlined in the two compliance notices issued following the interim inspection. Requirements raised at that inspection were also reviewed. The inspector found that both compliance notices and the requirements have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The same two children live at the home as at the time of the last inspection. There has been a reduction in the use of agency staff, and the manager now ensures that children are cared for by staff who they know. These changes mean that children receive consistent care and they are building positive relationships with the adults who look after them.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive training that supports them to understand the children’s needs and care for them well. All staff have recently completed training in attachment, trauma and PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy). This has helped staff to think differently about how to communicate with children, particularly at times when children are finding it difficult to manage their emotions and behaviours. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC398481 2 Staff keep detailed records of incidents when they have used physical intervention to keep children and others safe. Managers review these incidents and ensure that staff and children receive a debrief about what has happened. This reflection helps staff and children to develop strategies to reduce the chances of such incidents happening again.

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This monitoring visit

Both children have access to the organisation’s therapist, who visits the home regularly. Referrals have been made for one child to access additional support. Staff ensure that children’s physical health needs are assessed by medical professionals and health advice is promoted.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s experiences of education continue to be mixed. One child attends school daily and is making good progress. The other child has not been in education for a long time. Since the last inspection, the manager has requested a review of the child’s education, health and care plan, and arrangements are now in place for the child to access daily home tuition from two teachers. Work is ongoing to encourage the child to engage in constructive activity during the day, while plans are reviewed to understand how best to meet his learning needs.

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This monitoring visit

One child often raises concerns, and these are listened to and managed well by staff. There are good systems in place for sharing information with the child’s social worker and local authority designated officer. Actions are agreed between professionals and implemented by the home. This practice helps to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Some areas of the home are newly redecorated. New furniture and equipment for the games room have been purchased, and the carpet in the entrance hall has been replaced. Plans are in place to improve other areas of the home that still require redecoration. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC398481 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/11/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 14/06/2021 Full Good 13/01/2020 Full Outstanding 13/02/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC398481 4

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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: SC398481 5

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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 - monitoring visit: SC398481 6 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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