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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 1 SC482303 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

This privately owned home provides care for up to eight children who experience social and emotional difficulties. There were six children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2024 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Outstanding 11/10/2021 Full Outstanding 21/10/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are flourishing in this nurturing, safe and loving home. There is a feeling of genuine care and affection between the children and staff. The home has been decorated and arranged very thoughtfully, with the children’s needs being at the heart of everything. Children are encouraged to use the ‘cosy room’ and ‘reflective corner’, which contain various artwork and positive written affirmations done by the children. These self-reflection spaces support the children to regulate their emotions and to establish positive relationships with their peers and staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s progress is outstanding. For example, one child, who previously struggled with routines and boundaries during bedtime and when at school, now happily gets ready for bed and enjoys school. Staff are trained in trauma-informed practice; this shines through in all areas of their work with the children. Staff work cohesively and value children’s views.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are very thoughtful and considerate about every area of the children’s lives. This helps children to establish a sense of security and belonging. One child needed specific support with their hair and skin care and staff worked creatively with all children to achieve this. All children now take great pride in getting ready in the beauty room and look forward to having pampering time. This has improved children’s sense of self- worth.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff work closely with the local police community support officer, who often visits the home. For example, recently, there were some concerns around the use of social media sites. The police officer provided information about the risks and about how to recognise and report risky profiles. Staff also encourage children to complete workshops focusing on risks and how to protect themselves online.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children experienced an amazing time in Spain during their summer holiday this year. Staff completed thorough risk assessments and individual travel plans for each child. This permissive approach to risk assessment is now shared with the other homes in the company as exemplary work.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are involved in the local community and are routinely encouraged to attend activities. One child attends police cadets, while another child loves dancing and gymnastic classes. The home is being prepared for Christmas, and each area is decorated in specific themes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to spend time with their families, and they sensitively consider the views of children when discussing their family time. Staff advocate on behalf of children and share these views with professionals. As a result, children’s voices are heard, and their rights are promoted. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 4 Staff strongly promote children’s education. All the children enjoy school and are making good progress. One child is currently receiving home tuition, and staff are working closely with outside agencies to ensure that her social and educational needs are met and that a suitable school is found.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff communicate effectively with specialist health services. This ensures that children’s health needs are well met.

p.4

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

Staff are highly skilled and understand children’s vulnerabilities. Children’s understanding of risks in the community and online are enhanced through the provision of workshops. These workshops support children to understand risks in a practical way and to make informed choices about their safety.

p.4

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

Children’s risk assessments are individualised and detailed. Staff are proactive. They are well informed of the risks that each child faces and have clear strategies to keep them safe.

p.4

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

Staff use research-informed practice to ensure that children are protected from harm online. The team has also introduced ‘tech time’, where the children are supported and encouraged to have time-limited use of their electronic devices, encouraging them to spend time doing other activities outside.

p.4

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

Staff consistently implement agreed boundaries and rules. These boundaries help children to feel safe and to understand staff’s expectations of them. Staff are highly skilled and model reparative parenting through rewards and celebrating positive behaviour. Through consultation with children, the team has introduced ‘kindness jars’ for each child. By accumulating points, children can enjoy an activity of their choice at the end of the week. This has helped to reinforce staff’s focus on helping children to develop positive and caring relationships with each other. Children are involved in buying birthday presents and Christmas presents for each other. When a new child is introduced to the home, all children get involved in buying gifts to put into the welcome basket for the child. New children appreciate this, and it helps them to feel welcomed.

p.4

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

The consistent staff team supports the children to feel safe, loved and secure. Staff treat each child with dignity, kindness and respect, preserving positive relationships with each child. Since the last inspection, there have not been any incidents when children have gone missing from the home. There are no concerns about bullying. Children feel comfortable to discuss difficult topics and previous experiences with staff. Staff respond skilfully and ensure that the children’s emotional and physical health needs are well met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is away from the home and the deputy manager is acting up until she returns in February 2025. The registered manager attended the second day of the inspection and contributed fully. Managers have strong oversight of the home and the progress that the children are making. Both the registered manager and the deputy manager are reflective in their vision for the home and the areas they want to improve.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff take pride in their work and feel valued. Staff are encouraged to attend regular training to enhance their practice. During appraisals, career development is discussed. The long-serving and committed staff team understands the needs and wishes of the children, and their hard work and loyalty are recognised. Staff say that they feel motivated and supported, commenting, ‘It’s one big family.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervisions are completed regularly, and staff are encouraged to be professionally curious about children’s physical and emotional needs to support their full potential. The deputy manager and registered manager have developed a highly positive culture and a nurturing family environment, and the staff understand that this is crucial for children to thrive. The deputy manager holds regular staff meetings and training sessions, ensuring that they adopt a shared and consistent approach. Staff have a clear understanding about what children’s needs are and how to progress their plans. Children’s successes are celebrated by everyone in the home, and achievement certificates are visible on the walls, providing further affirmation to the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is proactive in advocating for children and challenges decisions made by other professionals when she feels that decisions are not being made in the best interests of the children. As part of the referral process, the registered manager spends a day with the child either at the school or at their previous placement, observing the child’s interactions and getting to know them. This helps the manager to develop highly detailed and informative risk assessments and ensure that the child and staff are well prepared when the child moves in.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and the deputy manager have excellent oversight of staff’s practice. They identify trends and patterns in the children’s behaviours and, subsequently, care plans and risk assessments are reviewed and updated. Through excellent analysis of the children’s behaviours, the deputy manager has introduced several initiatives, including ‘kindness jars’ and ‘tech time’, to further support the children to develop healthier routines and relationships. The deputy manager is innovative and creative and ensures the highest quality of care is offered to children. Other professionals compliment the deputy manager and describe them as being influential in children’s lives, helping them to make progress. Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 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: SC482303 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

p.7

Inspectors

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC482303 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

Inspectors

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

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8