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

Unique reference number SC391860 Inspection date 21/03/2012 Inspector Elaine Cray Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 08/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This home is part of a residential special school which is part of a large private care organisation. The service is registered to accommodate 14 children and young people with learning disabilities. The home offers planned long-term placements. The school is registered with the Department for Education.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

A full inspection was carried out in November 2011 and the home was given an overall effectiveness judgement of outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were made as a result of the last inspection. This inspection judged progress made since the last inspection.

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Progress

Young people continue to make significant progress. The manager and staff team demonstrate a continued commitment to improve the quality of service for young people. Young people live in a structured, nurturing and enabling environment. They develop, learn and grow in confidence because of a celebration of individuality, proactive and creative behaviour management and clear routines for daily living.

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Progress

The service continues to develop and maintain outstanding outcomes for young people due to a strong emphasis on understanding behaviour in terms of learning disability, communication, understanding and sensory challenges. Part of this development is attributed to the appointment of a medical practitioner with expertise in the learning disability field. Staff say this individual is ‘amazing’ and works with the young people, staff, parents and other professionals to improve young people’s quality of life. Young people’s emotional and physical health is improved. Staff say interventions are more timely, practical and have more impact because of this consultancy service.

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Progress

Young people’s progress includes developing language, symbol and signing skills and trying a variety of new opportunities. Young people’s growth in confidence is exemplified by their involvement in a tour of the houses during this inspection, peeling and chopping ingredients for the evening meal, doing a variety of house chores and making choices about what activities they prefer.

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Progress

Young people live in an environment where communication processes are continuously and consistently improving. Each house has a “We Asked – You Did” book, ensuring young people’s requests and ideas are listened to, recorded and addressed. Records show that young people have queried the availability of swimming and this happened the next day. “Choice” books are also improved. Photographs, symbols and words inform young people about all the day-to-day tasks, activities and choices. Young people on this visit were able to show their favourite snack foods and what they chose at the daily group meeting. Young people are supported with proactive and creative strategies to ensure all young people of all abilities develop and progress. The appointment of an external advocate has also given greater empowerment to young people.

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Progress

Young people’s self-esteem grows because they are encouraged and facilitated to express their individuality. This includes communicating in a second language and having favourite multicultural meals. Young people are able to explore their awareness of growing up, adolescence and the transition into young adulthood. Young people’s development in communication and behaviour positively impacts on improved contact with family, visits home, more meaningful relationships and integration skills in the community.

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Progress

This service continues to promote effective safety and protection strategies for young people. Staff are fully aware of and updated on safeguarding procedures, including whistle-blowing processes. The manager updates training and ensures good working relationships with safeguarding agencies. There are robust protocols and a secure environment for young people to live.

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Progress

The manager and staff continue to drive forward improvements to the service. There are clear development plans to promote improvement with both short- and long-term goals. While young people live in a well-maintained environment, improvements in terms of new sensory rooms, outside play equipment and further development to the already extensive gardening project are near completion. Efforts to make the house homely, comfortable and personalised are a credit to the contributions made by the staff and young people.

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Progress

Young people are looked after by staff who are proactive, well trained and committed to the development and welfare of each young person staying at the service. Staff training continues to be a strength. Staff present a high level of confidence and satisfaction in their support, training and development. They say good induction, regular supervision and consistent staff dynamics provides consistent quality of care for young people. The recent addition of in-house staff training workshops further promotes the development for staff. A focus for this training is for a greater understanding of the young people’s needs and consistency in the quality of care.

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Progress

Staff are ambitious and motivated. Staff report that the service is ‘developing and improving all the time’. The manager assesses patterns and trends of behaviour and uses the analysis to better inform behaviour management strategies for young people. A member of staff commented ‘monitoring processes are really working; we can see changes and differences’. There are significant improvements in young people's behaviour. This includes a decrease in the frequency and level of physical interventions and an increase in young people managing their own anxieties resulting in positive behaviours.

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Progress

The quality of care and outcomes are maintained and improved because day-to-day care and experiences of young people are closely monitored. The manager and Regulation 33 visitor complete audits that clearly show the effective management of the service.

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Progress

The quality of care and outcomes for young people remain at an exceptional level. No statutory requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this visit.

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