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

Unique reference number SC465940 Inspection date 19/02/2014 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Full 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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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered for the accommodation and care of seven young people, of either gender, with learning disabilities. Education provision can also be offered within the wider organisation.

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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 adequate .

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides a safe and homely environment in which young people can thrive. Effective personalised and planned care is responsive to the transition, immediate and long-term needs of young people. They are happy in this home and make exceptional progress. For some this is in a short space of time and from a history featuring poor school attendance and difficult risk taking behaviour. A social worker commented that a young person is ‘going from strength to strength, the manager has insight into the needs of young people with autism and staff work in a therapeutic way which develops independence’.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff responses to young people are instrumental in ensuring that they feel safe and secure. This enables social, emotional and behavioural development. Behaviour is well managed through the use of detailed planning and review. Staff use positive interventions, avoiding the use of physical restraint where possible and allowing young people to develop trust in the staff.

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Overall effectiveness

The current manager has been in post for just three weeks prior to this inspection. She is a dedicated and determined professional who has the confidence and support of the staff team. She understands the strengths of the home and has taken some action to tackle weaknesses which could disadvantage young people. Developments are completed to a high standard. There is not currently a formal development plan in place to promote continuous practice development and ensure shortfalls are addressed. The manager who was recruited from a deputy’s position has continued to work on shift involved in the direct care of young people, pending the appointment of her replacement. This has avoided any discernible impact on the care of young people however this practice underestimates the management task. Consequently there are gaps in the provision of formal supervision for staff and in the review and production of some documents.

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Overall effectiveness

After searching for the best possible service for their child and following some over night stays in this home a couple are determined to move their child from another country to access what they consider is a unique resource.

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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 that at all times a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons work at the children's home. In particular allow sufficient time for the management task to be completed effectively.(Regulation 25 (1)) 28/03/2014

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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

 compile a written development plan identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the home (NMS 15.2)  provide staff with regular supervision (NMS 19.3)  provide children with the resources which allow them to take age appropriate risks and help them to understand how to keep themselves safe when using the internet and social media. (NMS 4.4)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are helped to develop confidence and a positive self-view in this home where they are valued and treated with respect and understanding. The environment is welcoming and personalised, photographs of young people’s families are displayed and a history of young people’s time in the home is being continuously complied. This practice contributes to young people developing self-esteem and feeling valued.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Contact with families is encouraged and supported by staff, parents and siblings visit the home on a regular basis. This helps young people to improve understanding of their background and maintain important relationships. A parent commented that ‘this is the happiest my child has been in a long time, we are absolutely delighted with this home and feel very confident that staff know how to handle extreme needs’.

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Outcomes for children and young people

School attendance and attainment have improved significantly since moving into this home. For some this is the first time they have been able to engage in education or share a classroom with peers and make friends. It is clear from the interaction between staff and young people that they have formed and sustain attachments to the staff. This improves their emotional resilience and instils feelings of security, which in turn reduces anxiety. There has been a gradual reduction in support needs for some young people which contributes to their independence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Risk taking and unacceptable behaviour has diminished, for some young people in a short space of time. There is a notable reduction in incidents of unsafe behaviour, and offending behaviour has ceased since moving into this home. Young people are engaged in positive activities. They benefit from the range of activities on offer and broaden their experiences through exposure to new opportunities. Young people enjoy spending time out and about, maintain hobbies and use community facilities such as the cinema and shopping centre. They also go out with staff and friends to events and restaurants.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff support and encourage young people to take responsibility for their own health depending on their ability. They attend regular routine and specialist health checks and are helped to understand the importance of healthy eating. Young people get the specialist mental health and therapeutic services they need. Consequently they develop self-awareness and self-regulatory skill and are learning to express themselves appropriately and avoid confrontation. Young people are not exposed to or involve in illicit drug /alcohol use or smoking.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff enable young people to express their views and feelings about the care provided. They commonly choose food and activities. In addition young people are encouraged to make choices for themselves including clothing and hairstyle; this contributes to their identity development. Weekly residents meetings inform practice and the views of young people are sought to inform planning meetings. Listening and responding to the feelings and needs of young people is an integral aspect of all the care provided and significant in the promotion of positive outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people continuously improve independence skills. Alongside developing social and emotional maturity they are acquiring practical skills such as cooking and cleaning. One young person recently utilized and developed a number of practical skills when they requested and organised a surprise leaving party for a member of staff.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from the care provided, they confirm they are happy in this home and it is evident that they trust the staff. Staff have high expectations for young people and share in their success and achievements. Relationships and responses to young people are respectful and considered. This practice develops young people’s self-esteem, confidence and feelings of self-worth. Social workers and parents report that young people are doing well and that finding this appropriate resource has been a long and difficult journey. They confirm that communication from staff is effective and they receive regular updates about the progress of young people. Stakeholders appreciate the quality of care provided which meets the agreed aims and objectives of the placement.

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Quality of care

Young people have detailed individualised plans covering all aspects of their care needs. The cultural, identity and religious needs of young people are known to staff. Where necessary specialist support and guidance is sought to inform practice. Staff adopted a holistic and comprehensive approach to care planning which ensures that young people are afforded opportunities to develop the understanding, self- awareness and knowledge they need to progress. Plans are regularly reviewed to avoid any delay in young people’s progress. Transition planning is effective in reducing anxiety and ensuring a good start for young people moving into the home.

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Quality of care

Risk assessments identify triggers to difficult behaviour and detail action to support productive responses. Clear boundaries and expectations support the positive behaviour of young people, maintaining their safety and protecting their dignity by avoiding the need for physical restraint except when there is serious risk of injury. Only one restraint has been undertaken since the home opened.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from the support and encouragement provided to attend full time education. Most attend the organisations specialist facilities which are within walking distance. Staff work in partnership with education providers and support young people in lessons throughout the school day. This provides consistency of responses to manage behaviour, avoiding disadvantage and addressing any issues which may compromise attainment.

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Quality of care

Young people know how to make a complaint and will express their discontent to staff if they have any concerns. Staff understand the needs of young people. They readily identify if young people are unhappy through observation of behaviour and physical well-being. Issues are dealt with quickly to avoid escalation and resolve any problems. A young person friendly complaint form is available which is easy to complete. The young person's guide to the home contains details of several independent associations who would provide support and guidance to if needed. In addition young people have regular contact with parents who would advocate on their behalf.

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Quality of care

Young people influence all aspects of the care provided. They attend and contribute to care planning and review meetings where their views and wishes are taken into account. Consultation with young people affords them opportunities to provide ideas about the home and help with planning. Of particular note is the attention to meeting young people’s needs and ensuring enjoyment of Christmas celebrations. Young people routinely choose food and activities.

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Quality of care

The care provided is led by the needs of young people, making them feel valued and contributing to the success of placements. Individual support provides almost constant opportunities for discussions and the early resolution of any concerns or worries. Discussions are also used to inform and educate young people; examples include discussions about risk taking, relationships with friends and behaviour.

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Quality of care

The home provides a suitable environment which is spacious, clean and decorated and maintained to a high standard. All young people have their own room; many offer en suite facilities or have their own bathroom close by. Personalisation of the environment by and on behalf of young people adds to their sense of belonging. The home is well equipped with activity resources such as art equipment, books and games. Outside areas continue to be developed and young people are planning to grow vegetables alongside the well –established fruit trees.

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Quality of care

Regular access to the internet has not been provided to young people as a Wi-Fi system still needs to be connected. This reduces opportunities for young people to access the wealth of information available on the internet, engage in age appropriate activity and understand how to keep themselves safe when using social media.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are kept safe and feel safe. They appear at ease and comfortable in this environment and can express any concerns to the staff. Those who find it difficult to communicate during times of highest anxiety are provided with additional communication aids. This allows them to express emotions in a less destructive way and informs the response they need from staff to manage the situation and avoid incidents. Current resident numbers are being kept low pending the employment of additional suitably experienced and qualified staff. This is protecting the welfare of young people and preventing any issues of bullying or negative influence between residents. Young people trust staff to act in their best interest to keep them safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Understanding the particular vulnerabilities of young people and the staffs knowledge of specific learning disabilities supports behaviour management. Managers reported ‘a young person is beginning to develop self and situational awareness for the first time. This has allowed for a gradual reduction in the need for direct supervision and is allowing the young person to share a classroom and activities with peers. Behaviour is managed through distraction, modelling, praise and reward. Young people approaching independence are enabled to take increasing responsibility for understanding and managing their own behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The use of sanctions is unusual and when applied they are reasonable, fair and related to the unacceptable behaviour. This allows young people to make sense of the consequences and think about their behaviour. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort in this home to prevent risk of serious injury.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Comprehensive pre-incident planning, supervision of young people and work in partnership with other agencies supports the safety of young people. Practice to deal with young people who go missing from the home follows police protocols and ensures that staff work in partnership with all those who seek to return young people as quickly as possible. Young people have not gone missing from this home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding of young people is a priority and all staff receive formal training and their knowledge is tested to be sure that they know what to do and who to contact in the event of a child protection issue.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected by the vetting of any visitors to the home and a visitors' book is signed to keep a record of those entering the premises. The recruitment process is robust, recruitment records are maintained in the organisations local offices and a summary is kept in the home. This helps to protect young people from adults who may seek to do them harm.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Regular health and safety checks take place to protect young people. A fire risk assessment is in place as well as fire detection systems. Young people and staff practice evacuations so that they know what to do in an emergency.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

This is the first inspection since the home was registered in August 2013. The Registered manager resigned in November prior to any young people moving in and the organisation made interim management arrangements. A manager was appointed on a permanent basis some three weeks prior to this inspection. This manager is competent and enthusiastic and has already made significant changes to benefit young people. These include detailed planning, introducing effective systems for sharing and discussing information and review of risks to allow young people to become more independent. While the strengths and weaknesses of the service are understood these are not written into a formal plan to ensure timely continuous practice development.

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Leadership and management

Current staff shortages and the need for the manager to be involved in the direct care of young people have led to some gaps in the management task. Senior managers have agreed and sustained a moratorium on placements to avoid any impact on the care of young people until recently recruited staff start work. Staff report that they can ask for the support and guidance they need. Supervision for staff has not been provided on a regular basis in line with the organisation polices. Consequently formal opportunities for reflection to improve practice and to ensure staff fulfil their role and responsibilities to young people are reduced.

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Leadership and management

The home has not received any complaints. Requirements and recommendations were not set at the registration inspection.

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Leadership and management

Managers and staff demonstrate a commitment to compliance and continuous practice improvement to benefit service users. Independent monitoring of the service is completed on a monthly basis and these reports are forwarded to Ofsted for quality assurance purposes.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s records are clear and well ordered. They contribute to understanding the life of young people; identify care needs and record progress made and plans for the future. They are stored securely to avoid breaches of confidentiality. Review and planning meetings are up to date and young people have been involved in these meetings and consulted about the care provided.

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Leadership and management

Training opportunities for staff are suitable. Young people benefit from a staff team who are well trained and equipped to meet their needs. All are either qualified, undertaking a minimum level 3 child care qualification, or completing essential induction training. This supports competence in their work practice. All mandatory training for staff is up to date and they can readily access specialist training to ensure proficiency. Staff are booked to undertake a specialist training course to better understand the health needs of a young person.

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Leadership and management

Working in partnership with other agencies has improved the care and welfare of young people. Of particular note are relationships with local police forces. This work is avoiding criminalising the behaviour of young people on the autistic spectrum through improved understanding of the condition and collaborative working in providing training for police officers.

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Leadership and management

The statement of purpose is in the process of being updated following changes to the staff team. It currently provides clear information to parents and potential purchasers about the aims and objectives of the home.

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Leadership and management

The progress made by young people is a credit to the dedication and skill of the manager and the staff team.

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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 the inspection of children's homes.

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