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

Unique reference number SC407783 Inspection date 22/10/2013 Inspector David Coulter Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is run by a national private organisation and provides accommodation for an associated residential special school. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people aged nine to seventeen years who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 good progress .

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Progress

At the time of the inspection the home was accommodating five young people, four of whom are engaged in full-time education. The fifth was preparing to leave following his reluctance to participate in any form of education or training.

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Progress

The home was, at the last inspection, judged as being adequate and three recommendations were made. All three recommendations have been addressed. Window restrictors have been re-established and a new checking system has been introduced. The shower area on the top floor has been repainted and a full refurbishment is imminent. The third recommendation related to transition planning and though staff have been successful in liaising with a number of placing authorities they have experienced a reluctance on the part of some to initiate any work until final leaving dates have been established.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the acting manager has successfully completed the registration process. In her time as acting manager she has helped create a warm and nurturing environment with clear behavioural boundaries that are consistently applied by the home’s well motivated staff team. The manager is creating a culture of training and professional development within the home and staff keep abreast of issues relating to the field of child care by regularly accessing training opportunities. The manager has extended and developed the role of the key-worker and this has provided staff with opportunities to focus on the specific needs of individual young people and develop meaningful relationships with them. Regular individual sessions provide opportunities for staff to engage in reflective practice.

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Progress

The emphasis now being placed by staff on the reinforcement of positive behaviour has been well received by young people. The numbers of sanctions have significantly decreased and incidents of challenging behaviour are now rare. Staff have recently helped a number of young people to successfully move on to further education courses at local colleges. Their attendance levels have been excellent. Staff have been extremely successful in helping young people break patterns of anti-social and self-destructive behaviours. Since the last inspection no young person has been reported missing and there have been no incidents involving the use of alcohol or drugs. Young people now feel confident enough to extend their social horizons beyond the home and are regularly participating in social and recreational activities within the local community.

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Progress

The home has continued to make significant progress since the last inspection. Young people are settled and are making significant progress in many aspects of their lives. Staff help young people maintain regular contact with their families and this has, in a number of instances, led to improved relationships. It is evident that the physical, social and emotional needs of the current residents have been clearly identified and staff have developed effective strategies to ensure they can be appropriately met. No requirements or recommendations were identified during the inspection.

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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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