–

Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 1 SC482299 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to 10 children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, eight children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2018.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/07/2021 Full Good 21/08/2019 Full Good 29/11/2018 Full Good 02/03/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a bright, clean and comfortable home. They can personalise their bedrooms to reflect their interests and hobbies. For example, children have chosen themes such as Harry Potter, their favourite football clubs, and an underwater theme.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have plenty of age-appropriate toys and books. There is a large art room where children can participate in creative play with dressing-up costumes, construction toys and paints. There is also a well-equipped music room, games room and welcoming garden area with outdoor play equipment.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form trusting relationships with staff, who demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing a safe, caring and nurturing home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s education. One child who has recently joined the home is currently waiting for a school place. During the inspection, staff were seen to be creatively supporting his learning. He was supported to join the local library, complete online education and engage in enjoyable activities, such as cooking and baking.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy varied activities, such as attending cubs, guides, going horse riding and swimming.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to explore their identity and cultural heritage. Diverse cultural days are celebrated and individual children’s religious beliefs are respected.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and views are valued. For example, one child wanted to have a birthday party with his 30 classmates, which the staff arranged. Children who have left the home are sent small gifts at Christmas and given colourful photos as positive mementoes when they leave.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

On the rare occasion children have complained, the manager has taken the issues seriously and has a robust recording and monitoring system in place to ensure that there is an appropriate and timely response.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health is professionally managed with the support of the clinical team.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Work has been carried out to improve the environment of the home. For example, new carpets have been fitted and areas of the home redecorated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 4

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers and staff advocate for children to ensure that they are receiving the support to meet their physical, educational and emotional health needs.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s positive behaviour is praised, with age-appropriate rewards. There are effective systems in place to identify trends and patterns relating to the levels of restraint. Triggers for children are quickly identified and when required staff receive additional training.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding concerns are professionally managed. The manager is quick to review incidents and instigate learning reviews when necessary.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Allegations are reported to relevant agencies. Progress and actions are tracked, with good administrative support to the manager.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

R ecruitment procedures are thorough to ensure that only suitable members of staff get to work with children.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All children have comprehensive risk management plans. Risk assessments are individualised, detailed and regularly reviewed.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When safeguarding incidents occur, staff follow guidance closely and reduce the risk of harm to children. Sy stems are in place to track and monitor incidents and to ensure that staff stay up to date. Staff record incidents clearly and use reflective debriefs to analyse and learn from them. This enables them to adapt and change approaches and strategies.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is clear about her vision for the home and the ambitious standards she expects from the staff in their care of children. The manager places a strong emphasis on high-quality relationships between staff and children. She encourages ambition and high standards of performance from staff that supports the home’s statement of purpose.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff morale is high and staff are exceptionally positive about the impact the manager has on the home. They have confidence in her management and as a result feel empowered in their roles. One staff member said: ‘I have learned a lot from her. She is a good, consistent manager.’ One social worker described having ‘fantastic’ communication with the manager. The responsible individual shares this view.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager actively promotes innovative practice within the home and embraces new ideas that help to enhance children’s experiences. She demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm and optimism about the continuing development of her team. She is aware of the home’s areas of development and has clear action plans in place to address these. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 5 All staff are empowered to take on responsibilities and to access additional training alongside their mandatory training. One member of staff is currently receiving training to become a therapeutic ambassador.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is fully involved in the children’s lives. She is clear about the progress they are making and has high aspirations for what they can achieve. The manager collaborates closely with other professionals and takes effective action if plans need to change. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 6

p.5

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: SC482299 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bryn Melyn Care Limited, Atria, Spa Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 4AG

p.7

Inspector

Mike Simmonds, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC482299 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8