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

SC407783 Unique reference number 13 July 2010 Inspection date Roy Bega Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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 9 Inspection Report: SC407783

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is operated and managed by a national organisation and provides accommodation for an associated residential special school.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people aged nine to seventeen years who have emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties. It is located in a rural area and close to community services.

p.4

Brief description of the service

A commitment to a therapeutic approach underpins the philosophy of care. The home promotes social inclusion and aims to provide each young person the opportunity to develop their maximum potential through the delivery of an extended curriculum that is based on education and care.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Young people are afforded single bedrooms with en-suite bathroom facilities and proportionate communal space which includes a large kitchen diner and two large reception areas. The garden is mainly laid to patio with seating areas.

p.4

Summary

This is the home's initial unannounced full key inspection subsequent to registration in March 2010. The inspection looked at the key standards under the Every Child Matters outcomes.

p.4

Summary

Two action points raised resulting from this inspection visit do not affect the overall outcome of the care and welfare of young people provided in the home.

p.4

Summary

Young people are actively encouraged in taking an interest in their personal health and healthy ways of living. The home provides appropriate age related information regarding health, safety and social issues.

p.4

Summary

The welfare of young people is effectively promoted within the home. Procedures in place ensure they are safeguarded from harm. Staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and know how to implement the home's procedures.

p.4

Summary

Management and staff are positive in their approach to education and its value for young people. They ensure education is an integral part of life at the home and not just limited to school or college. Education continues outside of the formal classroom in areas of interest to the young people.

p.4

Summary

Good systems for reviewing young people’s placement plans are in place. Young people are actively encouraged to participate in reviews, are assisted to put forward their thoughts and receive full information on the outcome.

p.4

Summary

Young people are fully involved in the planning and spending of the budget allocated to their personal clothing and toiletries. The home is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment. Young people show pride in their bedrooms by personalising them with possessions and posters. The overall quality rating is good. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783 This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the home's initial inspection subsequent to registration in March 2010.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Staff place much importance on ensuring young people have a choice of nutritious meals to lead healthy lifestyles. Young people are actively involved in planning, preparing and shopping for food as part of their leaving care plan. Staff receive training in food hygiene and have a good understanding of the appropriate way to store, cook and handle food. Comments from young people include, 'I'm being helped to budget and learn about healthy eating' and 'Staff support me to cook for myself'.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Detailed health records are in place. Staff have sound knowledge in respect of young people's health needs and provide good support and guidance. Young people confirm they benefit from interventions and support provided by the organisation's specialist staff and external specialist medical and therapeutic staff. Care staff confirm they are appropriately supported in continuing the therapeutic work on a daily basis. Comments from young people include, 'Staff are helping me get over my problems' and 'Staff listen to me and help me'.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people are actively encouraged in taking an interest in their personal health and healthy ways of living. The home provides appropriate age related information regarding health, safety and social issues. Discussions and documented evidence shows young people are fully consulted regarding health matters.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home has an effective medication policy, procedure and practice guidance which includes the use of non-prescribed medication. Staff are given copies of this policy to read and sign.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

An appropriate written record is kept by the home of all medication, treatment and first aid given to young people. Prior to admission, written permission for the administration of first aid and appropriate non-prescribed medication is obtained from the person with parental responsibility for each young person.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Discussions and observations show young people enjoy a high level of privacy and confidentiality within the home regarding all aspects of their daily living. Comments received from young people confirms this helps them to feel safe and protected.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The complaints procedure is easily accessible to young people and discussions show they know how to use it. There are good relationships between young people and staff, and an open culture encourages young people to freely raise any issues they have. No concerns have been raised since the home's registration in March 2010. Young people say because they can talk to any staff if they have any worries or concerns they are quickly sorted before becoming a complaint. Also weekly house and key worker sessions provide good opportunities to air views. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783 Young people benefit from the organisation's robust safeguarding policy and procedures. Staff have an excellent understanding of the procedures to be followed and receive annual training. Young people are provided with age appropriate information in keeping safe. Young people show they are aware of what action to take if they have any concerns and that they feel safe

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the home. Very thorough risk assessments regarding safeguarding and welfare issues affecting young people are in place. Robust recruitment and selection procedures reinforce the organisation's proactive attitude in keeping young people safe.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual plans are in place for each young person in the event of them becoming absent without authority. They detail the action to be taken, including time-scales and specific people to notify. There have not been any incidents since the home's registration in March 2010.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a clear understanding and commitment to implementing the home’s anti-bullying policy ensuring and enabling young people to express any concerns they may have. Young people confirm whilst they might fall out with each other there are several opportunities to discuss differences and when things do 'boil over' staff are quick to intervene and mediate.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive annual training on behaviour management de-escalation and restraint techniques. Very thorough processes are in place that ensure any challenging behaviour is addressed in a positive manner and the best interests of the young person and others who use the service. For example, there is an open culture where young people are enabled and supported in deciding what consequence should fit the misdemeanour. Young people feel this helps them to have more understanding and acceptance of what effect their actions have on others and the development of personal responsibility. Staff confirm this approach is effective in practice with young people making self consequence decisions appropriately and learning from it. Subsequent to registration in March 2010 there have been no incidents where it has been necessary to use any form of restraint.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home that provides excellent physical safety and security. Environmental risk management strategies contribute to keeping young people safe around the home. Supervised and unsupervised activities take into account the safety of young people at all times with risk assessments being in place. Gas and electrical safety checks are carried out at recommended intervals. Fire safety systems are well maintained with drills and evacuation procedures being completed at required intervals.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people's individual needs are well identified but management must ensure actions required to support them are fully recorded within placement and pathway plans. The organisation's specialist staff and well established links and partnerships with a variety of external agencies and professionals enhances the individual support available for young people.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is actively promoted as being valuable in itself and as part of preparation for adulthood. Each young person has access to educational facilities and work experience opportunities in line with their age, aptitude, needs, interests and potential. Staff proactively support young people's daily attendance at the organisation's specialist education provision or local colleges. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783 Young people are able to pursue their particular interests, develop confidence in their skills and are supported and encouraged by staff to engage in leisure activities. Opportunities to participate in a range of activities in and away from the home are available. Daily notes and team meetings indicate staff work hard to engage young people in constructive activities to promote new experiences and confidence. Young people's comments and conversation clearly show they enjoy activities and are involved in the planning, including holidays.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The setting provides a stable homely environment for young people who live there. Management and staff are very approachable, listen to what young people have to say and act responsively.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The organisation and home follow a holistic approach in meeting the needs of young people by working in partnership with placing authorities and parents. During their stay at the home young people have a clear placement plan that identifies their health, physical, social, educational cultural and leisure needs. However, the action points required to support them are not comprehensively recorded.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation with young people is excellent. Management and staff actively encourage young people to participate in the care planning process and reviews. Young people are consulted on a personal level about all aspects of their lives.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people confirm they are encouraged by management and staff to maintain contact with family and significant others where appropriate. Management and staff also actively support them to rebuild relationships where they have become estranged.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships between staff and young people are based on mutual respect, understanding and clear professional and personal boundaries.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. When appropriate, staff provide excellent advocacy for young people during the transition process in preparation of independence and leaving the home. Staff work in partnership with placing authorities in supporting young people and their families to ensure positive outcomes. The process is sensitively planned and commensurate with each young person's ability to manage with the change.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The standard of the young people’s clothing is very high enabling them to feel proud of their appearance among their friends and peer group. Young people informed the inspector they are fully involved in planning the spending of the budget allocated to their personal clothing and toiletries. They are enabled to exercise choice in the clothes and personal requisites through normal shopping arrangements. Records of personal allowances paid to the young people are maintained to a high standard, but avoid an institutional approach.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is well maintained, decorated and furnished which enhances a welcoming domestic ambiance. Young people show pride in their environment and personalise their bedrooms with possessions and posters. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783 There is a good maintenance and repair programme for the building. The organisation employs its own maintenance staff to ensure faults are rectified as soon as possible.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is good. The Statement of Purpose, raised in March 2010 clearly identifies all areas of care provision and the aims and objectives of the service. The manager acknowledges however, the staffing section does not include the names, number and qualifications of staff.

p.8

Organisation

Effective systems for the running of the home are integrated into daily operations in a way that avoids an institutional approach. Staff confirm the leadership of the home is clear and open.

p.8

Organisation

Staff are well supported and receive fortnightly one-to-one supervision. An integral part of their supervision is an agreed personal development plan for which they receive guidance from management to achieve.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation provides a thorough induction training programme for new staff. Staff are supported and encouraged in a continuum training programme, also they are provided with training for the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. It is evident that the organisation's philosophy is to develop staff careers by encouraging them to complete the NVQ level 4 and other associated professional training. The organisation also employs specialist professionals to work alongside care staff and young people.

p.8

Organisation

The staffing ratio is in agreement with meeting the needs of young people accommodated. Young people benefit from a competent staff team who have a wide range of experience among its members. Skills within the team are very well matched for the needs of young people and whenever possible there is a balance of gender on duty. Comments made by young people include, ' My key worker helps me sort things out', 'My key worker is fun and listens', 'I've got nothing to say that is wrong with living here' and ' Staff are always ready to do things for me even when I'm not nice to them'.

p.8

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The individual needs of young people at the home are properly considered in relation to religion and cultural needs together with health and dietary needs. Recruitment procedures ensure staff are recruited fairly and without discrimination.

p.8

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.

p.8

Due date Action Standard

31 August 2010 ensure actions to support identified areas of assessed needs of young people are fully recorded within placement and pathway plans. (Regulation 12) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783 31 August 2010 ensure to include in the Statement of Purpose all matters listed in Schedule 1; in particular paragraph 5 of that Schedule. (Regulations 4 and 5)

p.8

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC407783

p.9