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

Unique reference number SC402406 Inspection date 04/01/2011 Inspector Dawn Taylor Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 27/04/2010 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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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

Situated in a rural location this children's home currently provides a nurturing and safe environment for two young people aged between 13 and 16 years. The home accommodates damaged young people, with difficult and challenging behaviour, who have often experienced multiple care and education placement breakdowns. The home provides one-to-one staffing with a maximum of three young people placed at any one time.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. This inspection focused on the key standards in staying safe. This service achieves consistent strong outcomes for young people. Young people are progressing well and their individual needs are being met. Staff enjoy their work and their relationship with the young people and level of communication and understanding is a key strength. Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour. However, identified patterns and trends of behaviour are not always recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's welfare is being promoted by staff who adopt and implement the home's policies in relation to privacy, safeguarding, complaints, absence without authority, counter-acting bullying and behaviour management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff receive regular training that enhances their knowledge and understanding so that they are competent to identify and address welfare concerns and safety issues. Staff are fully aware and refer to the local children's services policies and procedures, as necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff and young people's relationships are positive. Young people are learning to take responsibility for their behaviour. Staff provide a unified approach in how they respond, support and manage challenging behaviours. Staff pay good attention to young people's improving attitudes. They provide feedback and acknowledge improvement through verbal praise and rewards. Staff recognise they have unique opportunities to build positive relationships enabling young people to feel encouraged, safe and secure. All staff are trained in physical intervention and records show this is only used as a last resort. Senior staff and therapists monitor incidents, patterns and trends in partnership with parents and placing authorities. However, this good practice is not always recorded in the young person's behaviour management plan.

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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 regular checks are made of this equipment to ensure young people are protected in an emergency. Young people are regularly involved in fire drill practices so that they know how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Staff use risk assessments to identify and reduce risks in the environment, during activities and as a result of behaviours.

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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 assessed as part of the last key inspection visit. No issues were identified.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure behavioural strategies are clear to staff and children and any measures applied are relevant to the incident, reasonable and carried out as contemporaneously as possible. (NMS 22.4)

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