Children's Home run by Hillcrest Children's Services (2) Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 1 SC398386 Registered provider: Hillcrest Childrens Services (2) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to four children whose adverse childhood experiences and trauma can lead to complex behaviours. A large national provider operates the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2016. She holds a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 14 November 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2022 Full Good 22/09/2021 Full Good 07/01/2020 Full Outstanding 13/11/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home. One child had left the home since the last inspection, and another had moved into the home shortly before the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is set on the edge of a small town. Children benefit from a very large, private garden that gives them space to play on a variety equipment or just to chill out away from others. Inside, the home is spacious and comfortable with a games room, as well as a large lounge and kitchen. It is clean and comfortably furnished and decorated with photos of children and adults. There are plenty of age- appropriate books, as well as jigsaws and electronic games. The hall is decorated with a family tree, which includes handprints of all of the children and adults who have lived or worked in the home. The tree is part of the welcome given to children who come to live in the home, and the children enjoyed spotting their hand in the branches and showing how they had grown since the print was made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Upstairs, children’s rooms are roomy and individually decorated and personalised. Although clean and comfortable, the decoration of the upstairs part of the building is in need of attention, and the manager has plans for some refurbishment, such as replacing windows and installing a shower in the shared bathroom.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy affectionate relationships with staff who support them in pursuing a wide range of interests and hobbies. This includes competitive cheerleading, football, scouting and a drama group. One talented child amazed the inspector with their ability to do the splits. Staff support children to engage fully in their activities, including going away for the weekend to compete in competitions or attending scout camps.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff understand the importance of education, and children’s attendance at school is good. One child recently moved into the home and is being supported by staff to stay near his school, which is at some distance from the home, while he does his GCSEs. The manager explained she was conscious of the risk of him being late or worrying that he might be, which would bring him added pressure. When children struggle with education, staff advocate on their behalf and are proactive in seeking the most suitable educational placement for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they feel listened to by staff, who use a variety of methods to gather children’s views. A creative example of this is the videos children can make to contribute to their statutory review meetings. One Harry Potter themed video brought the child’s personality, views and feelings to life. It was also clearly an enjoyable activity, involving the child, a number of the staff team, a blue screen, a drone and a broomstick! Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 4 Staff are thoughtful about creating good memories with children living in the home and capture them in photobooks, achievement records and by collecting mementos, such as programmes of important football matches. Children are supported to keep in touch with people who are important to them in line with their care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children complete some chores around the home. Older children are supported to gradually take on more responsibilities and to become comfortable with activities that will support them to live independently, such as using public transport and planning unfamiliar journeys.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular planned and opportunistic key-work sessions help children understand and manage their feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to eat a healthy diet, be active and attend regular health appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved on from the home during this inspection period. The child’s social worker praised the professional way staff supported their move, visiting potential placements and marking the move with a gift and memory books. They also managed the child’s behaviour well when it escalated during the period of uncertainty before they moved.

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

Children rarely go missing from this home; missing-from-home protocols are followed if this does occur.

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

All staff spoken to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and could describe what they would do if they witnessed behaviour that made them concerned or if a child made an allegation or complaint. Physical intervention is rarely used, and records clearly describe any incidents that occur and the follow-up action taken. The manager has expressed concern that the company’s chosen method of physical intervention does not suit all children as they grow.

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

Risk assessments are in place and up to date. When risk reduces, assessments are amended accordingly. For example, sensors on children’s door are deactivated if they are no longer needed. Children understand the rewards they can earn for making good choices. Consequences are rarely used, but if used they are relevant and proportionate.

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

Allegations are infrequent, with only one made since the last inspection. This was responded to promptly and in line with the home’s safeguarding procedures.

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

Children say they can talk to staff about their worries, and they know how to complain, but no complaints have been made in this inspection period. Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and other professionals speak highly of the registered manager. She leads by example, expecting high standards of care for the children. Staff value her professional and personal support and say she is always available if needed. Supervision takes place regularly, and staff benefit from the opportunity to reflect on children’s progress, as well as their own professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager recognises the importance of assessing the impact of children moving into the home on children already living there. A child who moved into the home recently from another of the company’s homes said they felt welcomed. They visited the home beforehand, and a member of staff from their previous home is working with them to help with the transition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff demonstrate their commitment to providing consistent care by covering any gaps in rotas. As a result, the home has not used bank or agency staff for some years. Staff know the children well and unanimously say that they love work. They describe the importance of children enjoying their time living in the home and making good memories, as well as being able to achieve in the future. Individual children’s progress is tracked and measured. Children and staff reflect on the events of the previous month together, and progress is collated into a quarterly report.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows her team well and recognises their individual interests. Their interests and talents add to the children’s experience of living in the home. She supports staff’s professional development. Recently, she challenged, then changed, a training provider who was not providing sufficient support to a member of her team who was completing a course with them. Within the home, staff are supported to develop their skills and take on more senior roles when ready.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete regular checks, such as fire drills. These take place regularly, the results recorded and action taken if required. Staff are all up to date with core mandatory training or are booked to attend it. Additional training is arranged to meet children’s emerging needs. The staff value the regular input from the clinical team, who bring context to support their understanding of children’s behaviour as well as providing advice on how best to manage it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One requirement from the last inspection in relation to staff qualifications has not been met. This is largely due to circumstances outside the manager’s control, but the requirement is repeated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 6

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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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that all staff have completed the relevant qualification in residential childcare within the required time frame. 30 August 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. This specifically relates to the condition of parts of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 13, paragraph 8) Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 7

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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: SC398386 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Childrens Services (2) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Janet Fraser, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC398386 9 inspects 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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