Children's Home run by Aspris New Education Services Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC443959 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Priory New Education Services Limited Registered person address Unsted Regional Office Munsted Heath Road Godalming Surrey GU7 1UW Responsible individual Helen Sharpe Registered manager Ase Sophie Farbrot Date of last inspection 24/10/2013 2 of 7 Inspection date 27/08/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

The three requirements made following the previous inspection in October 2014 have been addressed. Ofsted are now notified of any revision to the home's Statement of Purpose and Function; all staff receive supervision within the timescales required by the company and a physical intervention de-brief log has been implemented. One recommendation is judged to be partially met and is repeated as a result of this inspection. The views of young people relating to all aspects of the care they receive is recorded in key worker records. However, the home is not adequately demonstrating that the views of those who do not use speech as their preferred method of communication are routinely sought.

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This inspection

The group of young people resident in the home has changed significantly since the previous inspection. Transitions of young people into and out of the home are sensitively handled at a pace that meets young people's individually assessed needs. Staff work alongside staff in new placements to ensure a smooth transition for young people. Staffing ratios are good, enabling young people to participate in activities of their choosing without requiring the participation of the whole group. Young people appreciate the range of activities that they are able to access. For example, young people currently participate in horse riding, cadets, and tennis. These activities ensure that young people engage in chosen activity which helps develop their social interactions and self-confidence.

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This inspection

The majority, but not all, of the young people continue to make good progress at the home and they are all in full-time education at the provider's local educational establishment. Staff continue to work in partnership with education staff, social workers and young people's parents to ensure that they are providing a consistent approach that enhances young people's learning and development. A new social and independent assessment tool has been introduced. It allows staff to make a base line assessment on admission and assists them in the development of realistic 3 of 7 targets that demonstrate young people's progress and achievements. For example, prior to admission some young people had a history of social withdrawal. The same young people are now engaging in social activities and integrating into the local community.

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This inspection

Staff are skilled at supporting contact arrangements and young people benefit from maintaining increasingly positive contact with their family and friends. Parents speak positively about the positive outcomes for young people, who they indicate achieve both educationally and socially as a result of this placement. One parent commented 'From where we were at the time of admission to where we are now demonstrates significant positive changes.' Another parent indicated 'Staff have an excellent understanding of my child that enables them to manage his very challenging behaviours'.

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This inspection

Practice observed indicated that staff are knowledgeable about individual young people’s levels of understanding and ability. Documentation demonstrates that in most instances staff engage appropriately to provide the support and reassurance young people need to reduce their anxieties, but this is not always evidenced clearly. Records do not always demonstrate that staff have an understanding of how best to communicate with young people in ways that they are familiar with, easily understand and that promote their positive engagement.

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This inspection

All staff receive regular training in behaviour management and physical intervention techniques to ensure that they have and maintain their skills in managing children and young people's behaviours safely. However, a number of significant deficiencies in the recording of incidents of physical management of young people are identified. On occasions the content of recording imply that physical management may be used to secure young people's compliance with staff instructions. For example, in getting young people to adhere to bedtime routines. Furthermore, management overview of the records has failed to challenge or question staff practice and the manner in which the records are maintained. This does not promote the safety and welfare of children at the home.

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This inspection

The staff debrief log is routinely completed by a member of staff involved in the incident, therefore, failing to ensure that staff have the opportunity to review and evaluate their practice with someone independent from the incident. Entries to the log are not chronologically maintained and there are on occasions significant delays in the completion of records after the event.

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This inspection

The content of one record viewed had not been recognised as necessitating a safeguarding referral. Such a referral was only made on instruction of the regulator, despite the deficit having been identified during an independent monitoring visit which had recently been completed. The accounts of feedback given following this visit conflicted. The Responsible Individual has been requested to conduct an internal enquiry into why feedback following this visit was ineffective in ensuring the safety and welfare of young people was adequately promoted. 4 of 7 The oversight of physical intervention records has been delegated to the assistant manager, who has inadequately discharged the responsibilities of this task. This results in the home being judged as failing to adequately promote the safety and welfare of young people in their care. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

The home is maintained by an independent company. The home is registered for eight young people with learning disabilities, three of whom can be accommodated on a short break basis.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/10/2013 Full good 12/06/2013 Interim good progress 14/02/2013 Full good

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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) prepare and implement a written policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the home from abuse or neglect (Regulation 16.1(a)) * 05/10/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the home is situated of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home (Regulation 16.2(b)) * 05/10/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include the effectiveness and any consequence of the use of the measure. In particular records should indicate reflective management overview of the record has taken 05/10/2014 6 of 7 place(Regulation 17.3(f)).

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Reg. Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice

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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 all children and staff are given an opportunity to discuss incidents of restraint they have been involved in, witnessed or been affected by, with a relevant adult, and specifically in relation to staff de-briefs this is being effecti reflected in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.17)  ensure that all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care a support. This relates specifically to ensuring that they have the benefit of regu individual or group sessions that enables them sufficient opportunity to reflect and have their views recorded on all key aspects of their care. (NMS 1.3) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information 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 framework of inspection for children's homes.

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