Children's Home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Herefordshire

SC062223 Unique reference number 16 February 2010 Inspection date Dawn Taylor Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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21 September 2009 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062223

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Brief description of the service

This home provides 7 places for young people of either gender aged from 11 up to the age of 17. Young people admitted to the home have significant care needs and behaviour problems. Young people are able to attend mainstream education but the majority of those placed attend the company's registered school based on the same site. This children's home is in a large detached property surrounded by spacious grounds on the outskirts of a small town.

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Summary

This inspection was an interim visit. The inspection focused on the arrangements for keeping young people safe. The young people were not involved in the inspection process.

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Summary

The overall quality rating for this setting is good, with a good outcome judgement for staying safe.

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Summary

This service was one of a group of four children's homes regulated and inspected as one children's home by Ofsted. Since the last inspection this home has become individually registered with a dedicated Registered Manager. Since being appointed the Registered Manager has undertaken a review of practice and procedures and has addressed previous actions and recommendations. He is now using the Regulation 33 and Regulation 34 processes to maintain a baseline of practice, monitor for patterns and trends and improve the quality of the service. There is a strong focus on meeting the needs of each individual young person. Staff are qualified, caring and competent and the Registered Manager has a strong commitment and focus on developing the service. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

After the last inspection the home was asked to ensure there was a written development plan, reviewed annually, for improving the quality of care provided in the home. A development plan is now in place and addresses short, medium and long term aims and objectives. The home was also asked to ensure the registered person regularly audits records to monitor compliance with the home's policies and to identify any patterns in incidents. This action has been met and the manager and all staff analyse patterns of behaviour and implement strategies to prevent re-occurrence. Since the last inspection the home's therapy and support services have been restructured and work is currently on going to ensure information gathered by this team feeds into strategies used to manage behaviour in the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home was also asked to ensure action is taken by the manager on recommendations, or issues of concern, raised in Regulation 33 reports and make sure each young person's key worker sessions are taking place and being recorded in line with the home's policies and procedures. These recommendations have also been met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062223

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The welfare and safety of young people is good. Systems are in place to safeguard young people and to promote their general well-being. The registered manager monitors the provision of care and takes action when necessary to improve safeguarding arrangements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young peoples' rights to privacy continue to be promoted. There are policies and procedures in place to guide staff on how young people are to be treated to maintain their privacy and dignity. Staff are careful about sharing confidential information and records. Information held on behalf of young people is correctly stored in lockable facilities, which are only accessible to staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people continue to be given good opportunities to discuss concerns or make a complaint. The staff team are proactive in ensuring young people's concerns are listened to and acted upon. Staff receive training with the Local Safeguarding Children Board on an ongoing basis. This continues to be supplemented by the company's own computer based course 'Foundation for Growth', which all members of staff have to complete. This increases staff's competence in dealing with allegations of abuse and helps ensure young people's welfare is protected. All organisational policies and procedures including child protection, anti-bullying, absence without authority, complaints and behaviour management are in place. This further helps promote young people's safety and protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are actively encouraged to improve their awareness and understanding about how to keep themselves safe and to develop strategies for improving behaviour and coping with difficult situations. As a result the use of physical intervention and consequences are consistently low.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire safety precautions, such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are in place and the manager ensures regular checks are made of this equipment to ensure young people are protected in an emergency. Young people are regularly involved in fire escape practices so that they know how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Risk assessments are comprehensive and regularly reviewed and audited by the home. All staff are appropriately trained in health and safety matters including first aid and fire awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation's recruitment systems are held centrally and were not assessed as part of this inspection visit.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062223

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062223

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