Children's home run by The Hills Children’s Homes Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 1 Registered provider: The Hills Children’s Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and run by a private organisation. The home is registered to care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is currently being led by a manager who is not yet registered. There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection. Both children were spoken with by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection of a current and ongoing investigation being led by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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Inspection date: 17 June 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 June 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance inspection was carried Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 2 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, one recommendation and three requirements were raised. The manager has made progress towards meeting the requirements and recommendation, and there is a plan in place to meet these.

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Findings from the inspection

Children do well in education considering their starting points. Staff encourage and support children to go to school. Attendance for both children is improving. Staff support children to take part in regular activities. The children enjoy trampolining, playing football in the garden and reading books with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have completed safeguarding training. Team meetings and staff supervisions provide opportunity for staff to explore the children’s safeguarding needs. Children’s care plans do not include all their identified needs. Therefore, not all tasks relating to the care of children are carried out. For example, one child requires a blood test, which staff have not actioned, and one child who needs pictures to communicate does not have access to them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive training to help children manage and express their feelings safely. Staff have clear plans that describe how to support children with their behaviour. These plans are up to date. However, staff do not always use the de-escalation strategies detailed within these plans. Children’s records do not consistently include the child’s voice, and the language used is not considerate of the child’s needs and previous experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Not all children’s bedrooms are adequate and damage to the home is not promptly repaired. Due to broken bedroom furniture, one child has moved bedrooms to ensure their safety. However, the bedroom is not personalised and has no window and limited furniture.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have implemented clear boundaries and routines for the children. This has improved children’s sense of stability and security. Staff celebrate children’s achievements. Each child has a book that staff write in daily with messages of positivity and praise. Children have opportunities to earn extra pocket money if they achieve incentives. Staff ensure that incentives for children are realistic. This means children experience a sense of achievement.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has taken steps to improve staff morale and retention. Staff receive regular supervision and support to develop. Staff receive training in relation to children’s needs. The manager has systems in place to evaluate and monitor the care provided to children. These systems have identified areas for improvement and lessons to be learned. This is raising standards of care. However, these systems are not yet fully embedded across all aspects of the service. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/12/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 5

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s bedrooms are furnished adequately and that damage is repaired without delay. 17 July 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. 9 September 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 6 The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(a)(b)(vii)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff follow the home’s policy on de-escalating behaviour and that the manager evaluates the effectiveness of each intervention.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records created are accurate and clear.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; 9 September 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 7 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that children’s care plans are in line with the local authority care plan, are individualised and include all relevant information.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure there are organised and effective recording systems to help improve monitoring and oversight of the home.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Hills Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Coronation Court, Northampton NN4 8SZ

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Inspector

Laura Copus, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795987 9 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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