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

Unique reference number SC407790 Inspection date 03/01/2013 Inspector Maureen Hamer Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home that is part of a national organisation and provides care and accommodation for five young people who have emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties and attend the associated residential special school.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

The last inspection of this children’s home was in August 2012 and the overall judgement was good. The home has an acting manager. Recruitment to the position of manager is near conclusion. The stable staff report that they have been well supported during this transition period. They have successfully maintained a nurturing environment in which young people continue to feel cared for and safe. Individualised key working has been introduced and young people are being engaged in the reporting of keyworker sessions. This empowers young people to have a greater awareness and control of their care.

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Progress

The home has addressed the requirement made at the last inspection. A questionnaire has been circulated to parents and other stakeholders to gain feedback about the quality of care provided to young people. However, quality assurance monitoring is not always being regularly undertaken. This hinders the ability of the acting manager to have a good overview of the quality of care being provided.

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Progress

Recommendations made at the last inspection have been partially met. There is improved communication between the home and the school about young people’s educational targets and progress. In addition, staff in the home are actively supporting young people to complete their homework and to promote aspects of learning such as reading. This promotes positive relationships and encourages young people to maximise their educational attainment. Internet access is being put in place to provide additional educational resources for young people.

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Progress

Staff supervision is now being undertaken on a regular basis. However, the content does not always demonstrate the performance of staff such as the quality of key working. This lack of information hinders the acting manager’s ability to systematically collate data about staff’s strengths and areas for development.

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Progress

The acting manager’s monitoring of the sanctions book is not always apparent. The effectiveness of sanctions and young people’s comments on the use of sanctions is not always recorded. Consequently, the impact of positive behaviour measures is not readily available to monitor.

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Progress

Controlled drugs are at times being administered and audited by one person and a risk assessment for this practice is not in place. In addition, the policy on the administration of controlled drugs does not reflect this practice. This shortfall has not had any negative impact on young people but does not reflect good practice in the administration of such drugs.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medication received into the children's home, particularly in relation to the administration of controlled drugs (Regulation 21 (1)) 22/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that persons employed by him receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal, particularly in relation to supervision (Regulation 27 (4)(a)) 22/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) monitor the matters set out in schedule 6 at appropriate intervals (Regulation 34 (1)(a)) 22/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of any use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home a written record is kept for the purpose of which shall include the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure and that the child has been spoken to about the use of the 22/02/2013 measure (Regulation 17B (3) (f and h))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) give notice to HMCI of the name of the person appointed to manage the home and the date on which the appointment is to take place. (Regulation 7 (2) (a)(b)) 31/01/2013

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Recommendations

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

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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.

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