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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482301 1 SC482301 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four children. According to the home’s statement of purpose, staff aim to provide a safe and secure home for children with a primary diagnosis of autism and/or learning disabilities and associated complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been registered with Ofsted and the responsible individual has been appropriately assessed as suitable. Both leaders hold relevant qualifications and bring valuable experience in supporting children in residential care settings.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to evaluate the home’s readiness to reopen and to assess the suitability of the environment, staffing and systems to meet the needs of children as set out in the revised statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

In August 2024, a change in ownership and leadership prompted plans to alter the home’s purpose, registration conditions and the number of children staff could care for. The last child moved out in November 2024, and the home remained closed while preparations continued to reopen with a new focus.

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This monitoring visit

In May 2025, during these preparations, the provider requested adding a condition to the home’s registration requiring Ofsted to be notified at least three months before any child moves in. They also applied to change the home’s focus to support children with learning disabilities and to reduce its capacity from six children to four.

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This monitoring visit

The home is suitably prepared to welcome children. A core staff team is in place, supported by clear systems and planning. Staff have received relevant training to meet the needs of children with learning disabilities, and the home has been adapted to provide a safe living environment for children Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482301 2 The provider has recruited nine staff members ahead of reopening. Three support workers are currently in post, with three more safely recruited, inducted and ready to start. The registered manager, new manager and deputy manager are already working in the home and are prepared and looking forward to welcoming children.

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This monitoring visit

Safer recruitment procedures are strong and consistently applied. All staff have undergone thorough background checks, reference verification and safeguarding vetting to help to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

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This monitoring visit

The home has been carefully redecorated and redesigned to offer a safe and comforting environment. Bedrooms are furnished to a high standard, the spacious lounge offers ample seating and the open-plan diner and kitchen have been adapted to promote safety and well-being. The garden is well maintained, featuring a new gate on the driveway that allows children safe access to the side of the home.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has implemented a workforce development plan focused on staff training, including qualifications and specialist courses in learning disabilities. Staff participate in training and joint development, supported by regular team meetings and supervision, while temporarily working across different homes. This is helping staff to align with the organisation’s values and understand policies before children move in.

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This monitoring visit

The deputy manager is leading activity planning in preparation for the children’s arrival, while the new manager has created children’s guides to cater for varied communication styles. This approach ensures staff are prepared to meet children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has established clear systems to support a smooth and personalised moving in process. Detailed planning and accessible daily information aim to help staff respond consistently to each child’s needs. Systems are in place to regularly review how children are supported, helping to provide steady and informed care as they grow and develop.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation benefits from a multidisciplinary therapies team, including occupational therapists, a speech and language therapist, a positive behaviour support lead and a psychologist specialising in learning disabilities. Bespoke training on sensory processing, autism spectrum disorder and communication needs is included in staff induction and ongoing training programmes. The therapies team provides advice regarding new children moving into the home and environmental adaptations to support children’s sensory and communication needs.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of the findings from this monitoring visit, the three-month condition on the home’s registration has been lifted. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482301 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2024 Full Good 17/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/07/2023 Full Inadequate 06/07/2022 Full Good

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482301 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anna Satterthwaite

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Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC482301 5 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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