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

Unique reference number SC402406 Inspection date 27/03/2014 Inspector Suzanne Young Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private 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

The home was last inspected in November 2013. The judgement at that time was good. The home has appropriately addressed the one statutory requirement and two recommendations that were made at the previous inspection. Staff are recording the duration of restraints and are reading and signing environmental risk assessments. The young people's guide is also in the process of being revised to make it more specific to the home.

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Progress

There has been satisfactory progress since the last inspection. The manager is monitoring the activities of the home and is aware of the strengths of the home as well as its weaknesses. She has made improvements to address identified shortfalls. However, for the last couple of months the home has been running with two staff vacancies. This has largely been covered by staff working overtime and has resulted on a few occasions in some staff working long hours. This can compromise safety. The manager has recognised this and reorganised staff to ensure more cover is provided when needed. The home has also recently taken on two new members of staff to fill the vacancies. Staff receive on-going training to enable them to adequately fulfil their roles and responsibilities and ensure they are aware of safeguarding issues, including internet bullying and exploitation. Internet safety and cyber bullying is discussed in team

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Progress

meetings and with young people at school and individually in key worker sessions. There has been one safeguarding referral which the manager and staff have dealt with appropriately liaising with safeguarding teams and police.

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Progress

Young people attend school and are progressing well with their education. There have, however, been a high number of absences without permission and missing from care incidents since the last inspection. This is primarily because one young person has frequently been running away to meet friends in the local area and returning in the early hours of the morning. The manager and staff work very closely with the police and placing authority to manage this behaviour and to help minimise the risk.

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Progress

Although the behaviour of the young people can be very challenging for staff, the use of restraints and other measures of control remains low. Staff adopt positive ways of managing behaviour and develop relationships built on trust and respect. Young people speak positively about the home. They are happy and feel safe. They have a good relationship with staff and in particular speak positively about the manager.

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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 overall number, competence and deployment of staff, both as a staff group and on individual shifts, can fulfil the home's Statement of Purpose and meet the needs of all children resident in the home. This refers to ensuring staff do not work long hours in the home. (NMS 17.1)

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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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