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

Unique reference number SC449307 Inspection date 07/01/2014 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven children with 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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in August 2013, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate with two requirements and three recommendations made. An additional visit to the home in October 2013 resulted in four further requirements being set. The home has been without a registered manager since April 2013. Interim arrangements are in place to manage the home and recruitment is on- going. The home is able to demonstrate improvements in the quality of care provided to young people and the interim manager is committed to developing the service.

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Progress

All the requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection and the subsequent visit have been met. The process for informing Ofsted of any notifiable events has been strengthened with notifications being emailed promptly. Events and incidents are further followed up by the homes managers to determine any lessons that can be learned or changes to practice and support for the young people concerned. Staffing arrangements are appropriate for the needs and number of young people currently placed. Recruitment is on-going, and further staff would be required should more young people become accommodated in the home. The staff working within the service have benefitted from training in both exploitation and self- injurious behaviour, further enabling them to effectively meet young people’s needs. Staff supervision is increasing in frequency and records clearly reflect topics discussed. Young people’s files have been audited to ensure they contain all the

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Progress

required information. Other records are increasingly reflective and accurate, enabling young people to have a greater understanding of their experiences should they choose to access their files in the future. Bullying is not currently raised as a concern. Staff are vigilant and young people are supported to air their views and wishes if they feel another is in their personal space when they do not wish them to be. Records of sanctions have improved, although it is not always clear whether the young person has declined to give their views or they have not been asked for their input. On occasions, sanctions are excessive, as there are multiple consequences for different behaviours exhibited during one incident.

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Progress

The requirement ensuring recruitment files contain a full explanation of any gaps in employment was not judged at this inspection due to the storage of personnel files off site. As a result this remains a requirement.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, work has been done to evaluate the service and to ensure young people are supported effectively in their placements. New staff are enthusiastic, and have varying degrees of experience working with young people. Those consulted during the inspection are open to new ideas of how the service can evolve and improve. Examples include removing some of the signs and notices on display in the home during the inspection, which give an institutional feel.

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Progress

The service is still evolving; however there is a more relaxed feel within the home, with a significant reduction in damage. Young people say they are ‘happy’ in the home and understand that staff advocate their views to placing authorities. Being missing from care is a concern, but individual protocols, should young people go missing, are sound. Proactive responses to prevent young people going missing include inviting their peers from the organisations school to the home so they can socialise. Additionally close liaison with local police ensures young people are further protected when unaccompanied in the community.

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Progress

Informative reports of independent monitoring visits and six monthly monitoring by managers demonstrate a sound level of consultation with young people and staff. Recommendations made as result of independent visits are mostly acted upon promptly and used to inform change and improvement within the service.

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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 registered provider appoints an individual to manage the children's home (Regulation 7(1)(a)) 31/01/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure no measure of control or discipline is excessive or unreasonable is used at any time on children accommodated in the children's home. This is with specific regard to multiple sanctions for one event (Regulation 17(1)) 12/02/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all staff files contain a full employment history, together with satisfactory written explanation of any gaps in employment. (Regulation 26(1) (b) Schedule 2(6)) 28/02/2014

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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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Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment. Specifically the use of signs and notices within the home does not lead to an institutional feel. (NMS 10)

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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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