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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 1 SC398480 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a private company which operates a number of children’s homes across the country. The home provides short- and long-term care for children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 29 November 2022. She is working towards a level 5 equivalent qualification in leadership and management in health and care services.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2023 Full Good 29/06/2021 Full Good 29/10/2019 Full Good 16/04/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. All three children are making good progress from their starting points in many areas of their development. Children are settled and have trusting and positive relationships with the adults who care for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, two children have moved on from the home. Their views were supported, which led to positive outcomes for them, and they returned to the care of their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are the central focus of the staff team. These are explored daily through positive and nurturing interactions with staff, as well as more formally in children’s reviews. As a result, children feel valued and listened to by the staff who care for them. One child said, ‘[Staff name] is my best friend.’ Another said, ‘I like the staff. we have fun and play games of hide and seek.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a wide range of activities. For example, they enjoyed camping trips and trips to the beach during the summer. Children enjoy trying new cuisines as part of the home’s cultural evenings, which staff and children host. Children attend weekly leisure clubs, which they enjoy. Children have fun, while developing social skills and peer relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff are creative and encourage children to follow what they want to do. For example, one child was supported to write a letter to King Charles because they wanted to congratulate him on becoming king. This resulted in the child receiving a letter back, which made the child feel proud. These positive experiences are captured in children’s personalised memory books, which they can treasure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is spacious, beautifully decorated and personalised to meet the children’s needs. Children have contributed to the decoration of the home, creating drawings which are displayed throughout the home. A newly built summerhouse in the garden has created a relaxing space for children to enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager works closely with education providers to support children’s education. However, children’s progress from their starting points is mixed. Some children are doing well and attend their education provision full time. When children struggle at school, they are supported with alternative learning at home. These arrangements have not always been suitable for children and have limited them socially and academically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend regular health check-ups. As a result, children are in good health. However, staff have not sought medical guidance from the GP when one child has continued to refuse prescribed medication. In addition, one child’s Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 4 medication administration record does not accurately reflect the information on the prescription, which increases the risk of errors being made.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in challenging incidents for one child, for example, increased aggression towards staff, threats to self-harm and running towards a busy road. Detailed risk assessments are in place which help to guide staff on how to keep children safe. Staff implement the strategies set out in these risk assessments and any incidents are managed well.

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

Children receive help and support to manage their emotional well-being. Staff understand children’s experiences and seek to understand the triggers for their behaviours. This is done using a therapeutic approach, which has resulted in children being able to recognise and regulate their emotions better.

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

When children make allegations against staff, the manager takes effective action. They communicate concerns to the relevant external professionals and follow safeguarding procedures. This strong approach helps to safeguard children.

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

Children know how to make complaints. When complaints are made, the manager responds in a timely manner and children’s views are explored further. Outcomes are shared with children in a child-friendly way. This shows children’s complaints are taken seriously and resolutions are explored, which helps children to feel listened to and confident that when they have a worry, this will be acted on.

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

Staff support children to understand online safety. Staff have well-developed strategies in place to keep children safe online and support their learning through informal conversations.

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

There have been incidents of children being unkind to each other. Staff support children well and have worked with children to help them to understand the impact of their actions on others. Restorative practice is promoted to maintain positive relationships between children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated and a strong leader to her staff team. She is an excellent advocate for children, leading collaborative partnership working to provide wraparound care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective monitoring by the manager enables her to have a good understanding of the strengths and needs of the service. She works continually to improve practice and always makes child-centred decisions about children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. These sessions are focused on enhancing staff’s development and their skills to work with children. Training is specific to children’s Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 5 complex needs. As a result, staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to support the children well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, there has been a high turnover of staff. However, the manager has ensured that this has not impacted on the quality of care provided to children. When staff leave, this is managed sensitively and children have positive endings with those who have cared for them. The manager has a clear plan to fill staff vacancies to support children moving in in future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and professionals speak positively about the manager’s approach and how she strives to continually improve the care children receive. The staff support the ethos of the home in creating a family atmosphere. One member of staff said, ‘It’s amazing to work here. The support and commitment to children is superb. One external professional said, Children have made great progress while living in the home.’’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 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, The 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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager seeking medical guidance from the children’s GP when they continue to refuse prescribed medication. This also relates to ensuring children’s medication administration records are clear and reflect their prescriptions. 31 March 2024

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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: SC398480 7

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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

Joanne Humphreys, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC398480 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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