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

Unique reference number SC441514 Inspection date 08/10/2013 Inspector Martha Nethaway Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates up to three young people with difficult and challenging behaviour. The home is owned by a private limited company.

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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

At the last inspection in November 2012 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good. Two recommendations were made. The home has taken action to address these. This shows the home’s positive commitment to improvement. The company’s maintenance team have repaired the potholes outside the home, installed exterior lighting and displayed warning signs. The home has forwarded to Ofsted the six monthly monitoring reports. The home has made concentrated efforts to recruit and train staff; another focus has been the involvement with local police as a positive influence for young people.

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Progress

Progress since the previous inspection is satisfactory. The smooth running of the home was interrupted for a short period of time. The home experienced a period of unsettlement from the end of March to early July 2013. Young people’s challenging behaviour resulted in police visiting the home on three separate occasions. Leaders and managers took decisive actions and now young people are back on track with well-planned personalised care. This shows that the home prioritised the welfare needs of the young people in their care. Episodes of young people going missing from the home increased, resulting in eight events taking place since the last inspection. Staff have worked hard with young people to change this behaviour. Since early July 2013 there has been a clear reduction in missing from home events. This is an area that the home is working to reduce further.

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Progress

Generally, young people behave well. Young people learn to change their behaviour. They develop negotiating skills and are beginning to be more mature and assertive. Staff use positive behavioural techniques. Staff wrote in a behavioural management plan, ‘Give enough personal space so staff make sure they are not invading his personal space.’ There are a few occasions where staff have used physical intervention which predominately is at the lowest level of intervention, although, the home’s central record does not consistently show the exact duration of the holds. This is a minor shortfall which does not negatively impact on young people's welfare.

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Progress

Young people are making good progress with their education. All of the young people are registered to attend the company’s school. School and residential staff work collaboratively to ensure positive results. One member of staff says, ‘We have a young person who regularly receives the ‘Pupil of the Week’ and most improved student.’ One young person commented, ‘I now know what I want to do and aiming to go to College. I am going to do work experience at a horse stud farm.’ Another young person was motivated to attend a summer performing art school course. One member of staff said, ‘The final show performance showcased the young person’s brilliant ability in acting and singing.’

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Progress

Young people enjoy taking part in diverse activities. One young person explained that they love to go ice skating with staff. Other young people enjoy attending guitar lessons and cadets. A few young people are also doing voluntary work. One young person commented, ‘I am working at a local charity shop and won the volunteer employee of the month.’ As a result, these positive experiences increase young people’s self-esteem and confidence.

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Progress

Consultation is well embedded at the home. One social worker commented in a consultation questionnaire, ‘Very happy with the placement so far. Young person presents as happy and settled.’ Young people enjoy taking part in their house meetings. They make decisions about menus, activities and increasing their daily living skills.

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Progress

As a result of this inspection, two requirements are set. The first relates to continuing the reduction in the number of missing from home events. The second is to record the timings and duration of all physical measures of restraint. These areas do not detract from the satisfactory progress that young people are making.

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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) ensure the home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated; specifically: continue to reduce incidents of young people going missing (Regulation 11(1) (a)) 29/11/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in volume kept for the purpose of which shall include; the duration of the measure of restraint. (Regulation 17 (3) (4)(b)) 29/11/2013

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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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