Children's Home, Residential special school run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC401685 Inspection date 05/05/2011 Inspector Elaine Cray / Judith Longden Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 17/02/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

The service is a residential school and registered as a children’s home to provide care for 22 young people of either sex with learning disabilities, mainly autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis, between the ages of five and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The service is owned by a private company and is one of two residential facilities associated with the school. The service is in an isolated rural location and the large house is several miles away from the school. There are several mini buses available for the transportation of young people. The house is set in extensive grounds and is discreetly separated into four units. Each unit has a lounge, dining area, kitchen and small lounge. There are either five or six single bedrooms, with en-suite toilet or adjacent bathroom for each young person in the individual units. There is also an activities centre and staff support young people to access resources in the local and wider community.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people thrive and progress while staying at this service. The very high level of engagement with young people, their parents and other professionals is integral to the excellent outcomes for young people. Staff aspire that all young people are happy, reach their potential and prepare for life as a young adult in society. The provision is particularly resourceful in managing a clear framework for behaviour while celebrating and encouraging the individuality of all young people. Young people are treated with a high level of respect and every effort is made to ensure their wishes, feelings and views are heard and included in the running of the service.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people’s behaviour, health, education, social and safeguarding needs are effectively supported. They live in a vibrant, proactive and structured environment and develop new skills, improve behaviour and grow in confidence so they can diminish anxieties and embrace opportunities and new experiences. Young people are consistently rewarded for their own individual achievements and development.

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Overall effectiveness

Safeguarding is placed at the highest priority both in terms of the environments health and safety and promoting the welfare of young people. Monitoring processes provide continuous quality assurance to maintain excellent standards and further develop improvements in the running of the service.

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Overall effectiveness

There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding . Young people thrive, develop and progress in this service. They make exceptional progress due to a clear and sensitive behaviour management framework coupled with a clear assessment and celebration of each young person’s needs and individuality.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people grow in self confidence and can express themselves positively because they are treated with respect, are proactively enabled to try different opportunities and develop new skills. Young people can express their views, feelings and wishes because they are given a variety of communication strategies, including verbal, symbols, photographs and sign language. These themes are consistently used so young people can make sense of their daily routines and activities, express themselves and enjoy meaningful relationships with others. All young people respond well to the structured daily living routines in the home which include specific exercise and behaviour programmes. While this is an expectation for all young people, their individuality is identified and valued. Young people are able to express their cultural and religious identities and gender differences are respected and valued. For example girls are a significant minority in the group but are able to choose their own

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Outcomes for children and young people

activities and have private space and facilities.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are consistently congratulated on their achievements. All young people keep an achievement book at their residential house. Young people happily and proudly show photos and pieces they have written about camping, visiting the zoo, trips out, learning to ride a bike, helping to cook meals, growing their own vegetables and helping to feed the rabbits and chickens. Young people have control of their daily living routines, they are responsible for laying and clearing tables at meals times, putting away their laundry, doing food shopping, cooking and baking. There are daily meetings after school when young people can chat about what they have achieved and then choose what they would like to do now they are at back at the houses. They enjoy a variety of practical and leisure activities. Young people feel good about themselves and as they learn new words, skills and make special effort they take great pleasure by smiling, making eye contact and making a 'high five'

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Outcomes for children and young people

clap. Young people have extensive opportunities and can do many things they could not do before like enjoying going for a haircut, tying shoelaces, looking after small animals, going swimming, travelling on the bus and not being so anxious about going out in public places. Young people live in an environment that provides calm and relaxed times coupled with vibrant and energetic activities. The positive ethos of the service, clear focus for behaviour management and high levels of respect for young people ensures they enjoy excellent and meaningful relationships with staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy excellent attendance at school because they are well supported and there is meaningful assessment of their needs. Their self-esteem and progress builds because they are able to achieve targets that are individually set. They enjoy good relationships at school because of high staffing ratios and consistent reinforcement of their attainment and progress. Young people learn in classrooms where they are consistently told they are doing well and they are keen to show the work they achieve and this is displayed throughout the school. Older young people have opportunities to develop business skills in areas such as horticulture and furniture making and enjoy annual celebration of achievement events in recognition of their attainment and achievements. Young people’s achievements, efforts and individuality are clearly promoted, reinforced and rewarded at school.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young enjoy good health because staff liaise with parents, the school’s nurses and health agencies to ensure comprehensive health assessments are in place and implemented. Their medical needs are excellently met and effective good health promoted with clear procedures for medication, excellent staff training and providing healthy eating and exercise routines. Young people are encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of their own health and medical conditions. For example, brushing teeth and putting in a brace, having good personal hygiene, making healthy meals, growing vegetables and putting on sun protection cream.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding . Young people receive an outstanding quality of care due a highly dedicated and proactive staff team who consistently implement the caring framework. The needs, safety and individual potential of each young person are placed central to all practice in the home. Staff work hard to provide a vibrant, energetic and proactive environment for young people to thrive in.

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Quality of care

There is a strong identification of individuality, difference and promoting equality. Staff have knowledge about the cultural and religious backgrounds of young people and how their parents would like this to be treated when they are living at the service. There are clear procedures for supporting the girls who live at the service and there is a clear focus on how the privacy of young people is promoted and respected. Staff also have an in depth knowledge of the personalities and preferences of young people. They understand and respect how some young people like things to happen or be done. This knowledge is particularly beneficial when managing behaviour and enabling young people to participate in daily living tasks, leisure activities and new opportunities.

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Quality of care

Care planning, risk management procedures and behaviour management plans are a particular strength. Care plans are effective because they provide an excellent assessment of need. The plans detail the daily routines that are so essential for young people with complex needs. They are consistently implemented by staff in a way that meets the young people’s needs and also promotes their inclusion and independence. Individual educational plans set achievable targets which help young people aspire to their potential. There is continuous assessment and review of such plans to constantly meet and suitably challenge young people to gain from their placements. Health care plans are also comprehensive, effectively implemented and closely monitored. Assessment and review of each young person’s placement contributes to the overall high level of care provided.

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Quality of care

Communication processes are strong and effective. The close working relationship between the school, residential staff and parents is effective in supporting young people and developing their placements. The roles of the speech and language therapists and the school nurses are also integral to the excellent progress that young people make. Communication processes are developed for each young person with the speech and language therapists. Staff understand the communication processes for each young person and this is recorded in their care plan. Written plans are consistently implemented as a result of the excellent communication. There is a joined up approach to young people’s care, support, education and health needs. All these facets of care are discussed for each individual young person at the daily handover. Records are regularly updated and used on a daily basis ensuring young people’s care is contemporary and relevant. These processes provide excellent

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Quality of care

outcomes for young people and demonstrate that all staff are consistently concerned with the welfare and progress of all young people at the service.

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Quality of care

Behaviour plans are well written and consistently implemented by staff. There are significant improvements in behaviour because positives are routinely reinforced and any challenging behaviour is immediately, swiftly and consistently dealt with. Boundaries are clear, structured and understood by young people. The staff promote a positive, proactive and respectful culture of care within this setting.

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Quality of care

Staff relationships with young people are warm, interactive and appropriate. Staff have a clear understanding of how young people express themselves should they be unable how to verbalise when they are happy, sad, anxious or distressed. Information about what young people should do if they are not happy is displayed in all the houses and by the telephones that are provided for the sole use of young people. The information is in symbol and word form and therefore understandable for most young people.

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Quality of care

Young people’s physical and emotional health is excellently promoted and monitored. Staff have excellent knowledge of autism and comprehensive medical and health awareness. There are safe procedures and effective staff training and understanding for the administration of medication. Menus are balanced and take into account personal preference.

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Quality of care

The accommodation provides young people with an environment which meets their needs at all levels. The standards of maintenance, cleanliness, décor and furnishings are excellent. The houses are homely and comfortable and young people choose the arrangements for their rooms. For example, bedrooms are decorated in accordance with their wishes and personalised with photographs of family members, toys, posters and personal items. There are good levels of privacy for young people. Most rooms have en-suite toilet and shower facilities and there are a choice or communal rooms, should they wish some quieter or private time. Young people are encouraged to enjoy the large, safe garden areas.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. The competence of staff, robust and regularly reviewed policies and procedures and consistent monitoring of practice provides young people with a safe and secure environment to live.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding is placed as a high priority. There is an effective and well developed recruitment process that includes a comprehensive check on all staff applying to work at this setting. Personnel records are maintained to a high standard. Visitors are checked, vetted and monitored.

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Safeguarding children and young people

All staff receive annual training on safeguarding children and they are aware of their own roles and responsibilities and other agencies involved in keeping young people safe. The service maintains excellent links with the local safeguarding team and the protection and welfare of young people is well managed in all aspects of their care.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Procedures to promote the welfare, safety and positive behaviour of young people are comprehensive. Young people are safe because staff receive good training and are able to consistently implement the procedures on a daily basis. Staffing levels are high, there are clear routines to ensure all young people are supervised and observed. Additionally risk assessment and behaviour management plans are excellent. Concerns and challenging behaviours are clearly identified. Strategies to manage these concerns focus on safety but also ensure all young people have opportunities to reach their potential and achieve. Consequently risk and behaviour management plans are implemented to ensure young people are enabled to do as much as they can rather than limit their opportunities. There are significant improvements in behaviour because strategies are pragmatic and target led. Staff look at what needs to be put in place so that young people can achieve as opposed

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Safeguarding children and young people

to looking at what is taken away to keep young people safe. Staff are patient, committed and proactive in finding ways to encourage positive behaviour and decrease anxious moments for young people. Young people have a strong sense of safety, achievement, stability and well-being. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort and records demonstrate excellent accountability of the reasons for such action. The records are regularly monitored and provide meaningful information about trends in behaviour, including effectiveness of strategies and the progress made by young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a safe environment. Health and safety is well managed. Safety and servicing checks are carried out as required. Fire safety training of staff, regular checks to the fire systems and fire drills ensure young people and staff know what to do in the event of a fire.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding . This service excels in providing young people with a high level of care and support. Management systems in place are effective and robust. Consistent and regular supervision provide staff with good opportunities to formally discuss their role, professional development and the impact on working with children with complex needs. All members of staff spoken with gave positive comments about the manager’s commitment, child centred approach, staff support and clear monitoring processes. Staff feel that they always focus on improving further the service so young people can be encouraged to develop to achieve their full potential.

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Leadership and management

The comprehensive training programme benefits staff to gain specialist knowledge and skills. For example, staff are trained in a range of communication methods that positively impact on the quality of care provided. Staff also have a excellent induction training which covers all mandatory areas such as safeguarding, behaviour management and first aid.

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Leadership and management

The setting’s Statement of Purpose accurately reflects the ethos and practice within this service. There is considerable attention given to helping young people to access the young people’s guide through the use of signs, symbols and other communication methods.

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Leadership and management

Internal and external monitoring of the service identifies good practice, shortfalls and further areas for development. The registered manager regularly reviews care plans, risk assessments and daily recording. Outcomes from this process are recorded clearly, discussed with staff and actions put in place. There is a strong ethos to maintain the excellent standards in this service while working towards further improvements both in the efficient running of the service and most significantly for the outcomes for young people. This service is proactive in exploring avenues for further improvement and overcoming obstacles and difficulties for young people to achieve their full potential.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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