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

Unique reference number SC401685 Inspection date 07/12/2012 Inspector Robert Hewston Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 19/03/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 22 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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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

This home provides an outstanding quality of care to the young people it accommodates. The atmosphere at the home is welcoming, comfortable and happy. It is evident that staff form excellent relationships with the young people and are committed to providing them with a caring, safe and healthy environment to achieve excellent outcomes in all aspects of their lives. All aspects of care planning are highly personalised to meet the individual needs of the young people. Education is fully supported and achievements are celebrated.

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Overall effectiveness

The interactive relationship between care and education makes a significant contribution to young people’s progress. There is an excellent commitment and drive to help young people move forward and prosper in relation to their educational achievements. Young people participate in a wide range of social activities and build meaningful relationships with their peers. As a result, they experience improved identity and self-esteem, while maximising their social and personal development.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager’s monitoring of the service enables effective and on-going improvement to further develop the home and achieve positive outcomes for all young people. Experienced and skilled staff who are well supported provide young people with a stable, consistent and nurturing environment where they can thrive and prepare for their futures.

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Overall effectiveness

A safe environment is provided for young people with good health and safety control measures. Behaviour management strategies are based on positive interactions and this clearly shows through the young people’s comments.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make excellent progress in all aspects of their lives as a result of living in the home. Thoughtful, individualised care enables them to have improved self- esteem and to develop a positive understanding of who they are and their personal history. Each young person is respected, valued and cared for as an individual. Young people learn to develop confidence and strong attachments. The staff team have high aspirations for young people and provide incentives, motivation and encouragement. Parents spoken to, comment on how they feel so fortunate their young people reside in the home with such a knowledgeable and caring staff team. Parents spoken to commented ‘The staff make me immediately feel my child was safe and secure, they’re more like his uncle and auntie than staff in a children's home.’ Success is rewarded consistently and as a result, young people appear more relaxed, more sociable, more confident and happier.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people grow in confidence and enthusiastically embrace new opportunities, learn new skills and grow in independence. They are empowered because they have individualised communication strategies and tailor-made plans. All young people are actively involved in education; have excellent attendance and are making very good progress. Effective communication between the home and school ensures that the progress that young people make is shared and celebrated. This child-centred approach has enabled young people to attend nearby collages and to further develop their independence and social skills. Parents spoken to commented ‘I'm so amazed that my child is able to go to college twice a week, it has given him, and us, a better understanding on how in the future he will be able to manage.’ The knowledge and skills of staff in supporting education result in improving educational outcomes for young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff are well informed about each young person’s health needs because they have access to a comprehensive range of up-to-date information. Strong links with local health care services effectively support young people’s physical, emotional and psychological needs. Excellent procedures, staff training and very clear recording ensure correct management of all medication and protect young people’s safety. The school nurse is extremely proactive in ensuring that all health needs of young people are well recorded, monitored and reviewed. With the support and knowledge from parents and staff the nurse ensures all people are up-to-date with health conditions, any changes of medication and possible side effects of medication changes. This has resulted, for some young people, in a reduction in their prescribed medication.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Challenging behaviour is managed extremely well. At the time of admission to the home many of the young people displayed some complex challenging behaviour. Staff work closely with schools and parents in order to maintain a consistent approach. The introduction of structure and routine has resulted in some exceptionally good progress being made with regard to managing difficult and challenging behaviours.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people clearly see this service as their home, enabling them to grow in preparation for their individual future placement moves. Young people have considerable opportunities to explore their potential and grow because they receive highly effective and creative support and practical guidance. Observations at this visit showed young people were actively participating in preparing their evening meal and discussing daily tasks and responsibilities. Contact arrangements for young people with family and significant others in their lives is paramount to the care of the young people. Well-structured plans for regular contact are in place and staff support these arrangements through maintaining excellent communication with family members. Parents spoken to confirm they can phone or visit at any time and are always given the opportunity to see how well their child is doing.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people play an active role in their transition plans, communicating their views at all stages. This engenders a culture that is fully committed to comprehensively meeting the diverse needs of young people with complex learning disabilities. For example, young people are encouraged to learn how to cook, do food shopping and use public transport. Parents commented on how these skills have enabled them to go out shopping, have a meal in a restaurant and go out of the house when the young people are on home leave. Parents also commented on how these skills have also helped young people build better relationships with their brothers and sisters as well as doing things together as a family.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Staff demonstrate sensitive and nurturing care for young people. They develop strong, positive attachments with them. Staff have high aspirations for what the young people can achieve and celebrate their successes, big and small. Staff develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the young people they care for. This enables them to understand the moods, behaviours and body language of the young people and adapt the care they provide to meet individual needs. As a result of these practices, young people learn how to develop positive and constructive relationships with staff and their peers.

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Quality of care

Staff work with young people to provide progressive personalised support, through individualised placement planning small targets are achievable and further develop the young people's skills in independence and social environments. Young people develop an acceptance of the structures and routines of the home enabling them to modify their behaviours and negotiate their wishes and wants. For example, each home has a ‘chat and drink’ time straight after getting changed from school. Staff use their expertise and knowledge of the young people in ensuring all young people receive a choice of activities or trips out during the evening. Observations during the evening inspection showed how different non-verbal communication techniques are used to give all young people a choice of what they would prefer to participate in. On this evening one group went out to the pictures, another group went swimming while another group enjoyed the new pamper room. Staff design these activities carefully

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Quality of care

and specifically to stimulate and broaden young people's horizons through maximising the opportunities for them to positively engage in healthy and/or community-based activities.

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Quality of care

Young people are supported by staff who have an extensive understanding of equality and diversity, including gender, young people’s social, economic and mental health needs. Staff liaise excellently with a variety of agencies in accordance with young people’s care plans to meet their complex needs. Staff provide an environment where young people can express themselves and develop a sensitive awareness and tolerance of each other’s needs and identity.

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Quality of care

There is an effective complaints system in place, although no complaints have been received since the last inspection. Staff understand the young people well, they pick up signs through their moods and behaviours. Staff spend time with young people exploring their feelings and giving them the opportunity to discuss any concerns. Parents and families speak with confidence regarding the willingness and approachability of the staff to discuss and resolve any issues.

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Quality of care

The management and staff work very closely with education provisions to ensure that the best outcomes for young people are achieved. Daily communication is received from schools either by phone call or in the form of a communication book. There are examples of excellent practice where staff have attended school and worked closely with teaching staff to support individual children through difficult periods. Staff attend school events and support families to attend if this is appropriate. Educational achievements and progress are celebrated. This shows that staff are committed to providing and supporting children with appropriate education and opportunities to reach their full potential.

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Quality of care

Staff have progressively improved their capacity to communicate with young people. They have invested time and effort in acquiring skills in a number of different communication methods. Activities, menus and in-house events are arranged through consultation with the young people using these systems. Staff have developed a high understanding of young people's likes and dislikes and are able to support them positively when their behaviour is difficult. This approach enables young people to build strong and constructive relationships with staff and their peers. Social workers indicated 'Staff show a real awareness of individual young people's needs'.

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Quality of care

Placement plans are highly detailed, individualised and regularly updated. The often complex needs of young people are thoroughly assessed. Plans provide staff with clear guidance regarding how to care for young people and how their needs will be met. These plans include any additional services and support that arise out of a young person's disability, ethnicity, race, sexuality, faith or beliefs. This ensures that all staff are consistent in their approach and young people benefit from a service that is tailored to meet their individual needs. Young people benefit from living in a spacious, well-furnished and comfortable home that is kept safe and well-maintained. Staff and young people make clear efforts to make the house comfortable and welcoming and the standards of décor and furnishings throughout the home are good. Repair work is completed quickly and to a high standard. All health and safety checks are in date and robustly reviewed

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Quality of care

monthly by the health and safety officer for the home. Young people's bedrooms are personalised and reflect their preferences and individuality. Communal areas are nicely decorated and provide enough space for young people to spend time together or on their own. The home provides a very stable, safe and personalised environment that successfully supports young people’s comfort and domestic needs.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The safety of young people is outstanding. Young people are protected by robust and effectively implemented safeguarding arrangements. Their well-being is promoted because safeguarding is at the heart of the service. Parents are unanimous and confident that the service keeps their young people safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The atmosphere at the home is relaxed and the emphasis among the staff team is to defuse any potentially difficult and challenging situations. Staff receive the appropriate training and have an excellent understanding of individual plans and the strategies in place for managing difficult behaviours. This enables them to manage situations with skill and confidence. Staff work well as a team and form positive relationships with the young people, Staff are calm, consistent and clear about their expectations and young people have an understanding about rules.

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Safeguarding children and young people

All staff are aware of their own roles and responsibilities and other agencies involved in keeping young people safe. The manager and staff are proactive in establishing effective links and working partnerships with the police and the local safeguarding children's team. This liaison results in safeguarding concerns being robustly investigated and addressed. Effective working with external safeguarding agencies means that the staffs’ knowledge and understanding of safe guarding children are continually being developed.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has excellent systems in place to protect young people should they go missing. The home follows the local authority’s policy on young people missing from care and implements this in accordance with a young person’s risk assessment and care plan. No young people have gone missing from the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The Registered Manager and staff team have a clear focus on potential and actual risks facing each individual. Detailed assessments are in place, which identify areas of risk and vulnerability for each young person. Staff use this information to shape their daily practice and routines. They receive safeguarding training and know how to respond to allegations or suspicions of abuse or report concerns about a young person’s safety. The Registered Manager has well-established links with the local safeguarding team and police who work together for the protection of vulnerable young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people experience high quality nurturing, warm and positive relationships with staff. It is through these relationships that effective routines and boundaries are established. Restraint is used as a last resort, however, in the event of a restraint taking place appropriate records are maintained. Staff are consistent and clear in their expectations and young people and parents have a good understanding of the rules. Practical consequences are used giving young people the opportunity to recognised their behaviour but to be able to put things right. For example, if a young person has been disruptive, thrown cushions and possibly split a drink the staff support the young person in putting back the furniture and cleaning the spilt drink. This method of showing consequences to actions has been effective and reducing young people's outbursts of poor behaviour. Parents also commented on how it has assisted in improving young people's behaviour at home. As a result, incidents of

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Safeguarding children and young people

inappropriate behaviour have significantly reduced within the home and during family visits.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The organisation’s effective recruitment procedures enable the careful selection and recruitment of staff. All new staff undergo a thorough vetting process prior to their deployment in the home and before having unsupervised access to any young person. The home is safe and well-maintained. Health and safety checks, including fire equipment and drills, are current and environmental risks assessments are in place. This ensures the continuous safety of young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of this home are accomplished and resourceful. The Registered Manager is very efficient and effective in her role and provides staff with extensive leadership and support through clear lines of accountability and responsibility. This leadership is flexible and visible and consistently communicates high expectations to staff about sustaining improvement and purposefully promotes high-quality care and outcomes for young people. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Leadership and management

Young people make exceptional progress because the service provides them with a safe, nurturing and structured environment. Staffing levels are tenaciously managed in keeping with the service’s Statement of Purpose and the needs of the young people. There is an effective and stable group of core staff in the home. Additional staffing includes experienced staff who know the young people well. The staffing arrangements provide young people with permanency and consistency.

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Leadership and management

The committed management and senior teams effectively run the home. The structure demonstrates clear accountability, and staff know who to approach with any concerns. Young people thrive as a result of being cared for by the consistent and enthusiastic staff team who are positive about their roles and enjoy their work. The staff team receive high quality and comprehensive training with needs identified in yearly appraisals. Staff receive quality and evaluative supervision and lapses in performance are challenged rigorously, both at the time and formally. Staff meetings and the daily handover from shifts ensure sharing of good practice and consistency in approach for young people. This is also an opportunity to consider how care and practice can be improved.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager can readily demonstrate the home’s capacity for continuing improvement, which is based on its record of previous outcomes and successes. Young people’s placement stability and continued excellent progress is regularly tracked and evaluated. The Registered Manager has a robust range of systems in place to ensure on-going monitoring occurs and that these systems inform improvement and development. Strengths and potential shortfalls of the service are clearly understood. This information is used to formulate the home’s challenging development plan which is reviewed and updated regularly.

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Leadership and management

The staff in this home have a clear sense of purpose and fully implement the home's Statement of Purpose. They understand the ethos and aims of the home and communicate these effectively to others, including children and young people's families. This clear sense of purpose provides a solid foundation for the outstanding work undertaken in the home.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager has systems in place to notify relevant agencies, including Ofsted of significant events which detail the actions taken to keep young people safe. Young people’s case files are kept up to date and provide a comprehensive record of events and progress. The files are safely and securely stored to support young people’s privacy and confidentiality.

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Leadership and management

There is a clear determination, energy, and motivation to provide and continuously improve the care framework of this home. Young people are respected, valued and enabled to achieve their full potential by well-trained and forward thinking staff. This successful approach promotes an effective developmental and child-centred service.

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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 and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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