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

Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 1 SC398377 Registered provider: Hillcrest Children’s Services (2) Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A large private company owns this children’s home. It registered with Ofsted in July 2009 and provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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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: SC398377 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/07/2025 Full Good 30/04/2024 Full Good 09/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 3

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Summary of findings

Children experience stability and have lived in the home for a long time. Leaders make effective use of the in-house clinical team to support a growing understanding of children’s needs. Collaborative working with safeguarding partners is a strength. Children feel safe and are confident to share their views about their care. Staff describe a culture of support in the home. Staff and leaders are proud of the children they support and the progress they are making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience well-thought-out out moves into the home. Leaders carefully consider children’s risks, vulnerabilities and histories against the children already living in the home. Staff work proactively with partner agencies to ensure that they get to know children quickly. This helps children to settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop routines. Leaders ensure that new staff are clear about the schedule for children, which supports consistency across the day. Children show understanding of why their routines are in place and how this benefits them. This provides children with predictability and helps them to feel secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is a priority. All children are attending school and making progress in education. Staff have worked closely with relevant agencies to ensure that all children are able to remain at their existing schools. This has provided structure and continuity for children at times of uncertainty. It has also supported children to maintain trusted relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate strongly for children. This has resulted in important conversations taking place about children’s future plans, family time and school. As a result, children say they feel listened to and understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a diverse range of activities and experiences. Children’s unique talents are identified and nurtured. This has resulted in children growing in confidence, strengthening their identity and making progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and comfortable. Children take ownership and pride in their home. This contributes to a sense of belonging and permanence.

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

Staff keep children safe. They show empathy and acceptance to children at times when they have been scared and upset. This has helped children to know they are cared for. Staff have been keen to learn from those who know the children best so they can build Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 4 stronger relationships. This has built trust and enabled staff to help children learn safer ways to express their feelings.

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

When complaints are made, they are taken seriously and dealt with promptly. Conversations with staff are sensitive, offering support for staff while prioritising what is important for children. Children are actively involved throughout the process, and the manager encourages input from children’s social workers to ensure children are satisfied with how their complaint was handled. This helps children to feel heard.

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

On the whole, restraint is used proportionately to keep children safe. On one occasion, a staff member restrained a child when it was not necessary. While this was diligently identified by the manager, who took appropriate action to safeguard children, the child was not offered the appropriate reassurance. This does not align with expected practice and help children feel listened to and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are confident and have efficient oversight of the home. They recognise their strengths and areas for development and have a clear plan of how to improve care for children. Staff training needs are promptly identified. There are effective systems in place that support learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported and valued. They find leaders approachable and have confidence in their ability to run the home safely and effectively. Acknowledgement of staff achievements and the use of peer feedback are a particular strength that keeps staff accountable for their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions, appraisals and team meetings are tools used effectively by leaders to support the running of the home. Reflective practice is encouraged across all levels to better understand children’s needs and what is important to them. This supports the continual improvement in the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have built proactive relationships with children’s families and partner agencies. Leaders put a strong emphasis on multi-agency working. This is supporting decision- making that is in the best interests of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing and recruitment have been a challenge for the home since the last inspection. The manager has taken action to fill vacancies and ensure continuity of care. However, 4 staff currently working in the home have not achieved the appropriate qualification within relevant timescales. Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform.

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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”).

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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. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(b) (4)(a)(5)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff who have previously worked in a care role obtain their qualification within 2 years unless an acceptable reason can be provided. 31 March 2027 Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when staff behaviour falls short of what is expected, children are reassured and supported to understand what is being done about it. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.11)

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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: SC398377 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: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Kim Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC398377 8 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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