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

Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 1 SC482344 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to eight children. The organisation also runs a separate registered school that the children living in the home may attend.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 21 January 2022 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2019

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2019 Full Good 11/09/2018 Full Good 01/11/2017 Full Good 13/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 3

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outstanding

The process for new children moving in is very well planned. The registered manager uses all the information available to assess that the staff can meet the child’s individual needs. When children do move in, they settle quickly and respond well to the care and support they receive. Because of this, children can, and do, make significant progress.

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outstanding

Dedicated staff support the children to learn, be happy and thrive. Their sensitive and responsive approach both help the children to rebuild trust and make strong attachments. Every interaction between them is thoughtful and helps the children to understand the rules and boundaries of the home. As a result, the children grow and develop in maturity, confidence and self-esteem.

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outstanding

Children are actively encouraged to try new hobbies. The energetic staff regularly take them out, for example mountain biking and indoor rock climbing. These activities are well planned and help to keep the children occupied. The organisation has invested heavily in bikes and equipment to ensure that the children are kept safe while having fun.

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outstanding

Staff work closely with the important people in the children’s lives. This includes supporting the children to maintain positive relationships with their birth families. Recent success stories include one child’s long-term plan changing to be actively supported to return home. Another child enjoyed an extended break away to see their family accompanied by staff for additional support.

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outstanding

Children’s education is seen as a priority. For example, the staff put the children at the centre of decisions when choosing the most appropriate school for them. Children are not expected to go to the provider’s own school but are supported to attend mainstream provision when it is in their best interests. During the COVID-19 restrictions, the staff formed a bubble with education colleagues to keep the children engaged in learning to ensure their ongoing needs were met.

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outstanding

Children benefit from expert advice when learning how to keep safe and act responsibly. The staff regularly ask external people to talk to the children about a wide range of subjects to enhance the work that they already do. Two recent examples of this include the children learning about the definition and impact of bullying as well as fire safety rules. The registered manager spoke positively about this approach and said that there had been ‘no further bullying-type behaviours and/or incidents in the home’. Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 4 The staff work extremely hard to protect the children from the risks associated with the internet. Children are taught how to play their games consoles and use their mobile phones safely. This includes educating them about the risks, following age restrictions, limiting screen time, and regularly monitoring and checking electronic devices. Because of this, the children know and understand the rules and

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outstanding

boundaries and, despite feeling frustrated by them, they accept what staff say.

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outstanding

The staffs’ approach to managing the children’s behaviour is positive. Children regularly receive praise for doing well. For example, during the COVID-19 restrictions, the staff held an awards ceremony to recognise the children’s achievements. One child spoken to during the inspection spoke proudly about receiving an award for etiquette and also credited the staff for helping him to learn how to behave more appropriately.

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outstanding

The staff are also very vigilant to any changes in the children’s behaviour. Internally, they work quickly to distract the children and prevent situations escalating. Externally, they work closely with other professionals, including therapists, to seek advice and guidance about how the children’s past experiences may impact on their behaviour. This information is used in the children’s plans and to guide the staff’s approach.

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outstanding

Everything the children say is taken seriously. This includes any comments they make when they are angry or upset. All incidents of this nature are recorded in detail and shared with the appropriate people. The registered manager works closely with the professional network to agree what action is taken to keep everyone safe. The staff then help the children to understand the outcomes and the reasons behind them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is extremely child-focused. The culture he has created reflects the approach described in the home’s statement of purpose as to how the children should be cared for. His knowledge, experience and enhanced training in this area enable him to model good practice to the staff. As a result, the children experience consistent and compassionate care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the last inspection, the home has been through a period of organisational change. This has led to the introduction of new systems and some different ways of working. The registered manager has managed this process extremely well. Where possible, he has been involved in the wider development of the service and helped to shape how things are done. Because of his approach and involvement, the staff and children have not been adversely affected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has excellent oversight of the overall management of the home. This includes using a range of systems to monitor the quality of care provided. Despite not all the processes joining up yet, he knows what is working well and what needs improving. For example, the staff benefit from responsive and Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 5 informal support. However, he has identified that formal supervision does not always take place at the frequency outlined in the home’s policy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff development is given high priority. All staff have their performance reviewed annually. The new improved process helps the registered manager to track the staff’s progress and help them to develop further. This, together with a comprehensive training programme, has meant that some staff have moved into more senior roles. These opportunities help to keep the staff motivated and to continue to work at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children live in a warm and cosy environment. Led by the registered manager, extra resources have enabled some redecoration to take place, which has improved some of the living and sleeping areas. Children have also put their own stamp on their bedrooms, and photos of them with the staff adorn the walls. A specially commissioned wooden dining table adds to the overall atmosphere. Altogether, these touches help the children to feel at home. One child is reported to have told the staff that they may not be their family but that this was their home. Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 6

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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: SC482344 7

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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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Inspector

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC482344 8 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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