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

Unique reference number SC465940 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Priory Education Services Ltd Registered person address 5th Floor 80 Hammersmith Road London W14 8UD Responsible individual Helen Sharpe Registered manager Michelle Louise Garstang Date of last inspection 19/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 22/10/2014

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection There has not been any enforcement action since the last inspection

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

One of the young people has made exceptional progress in this home where his presenting difficulties are well understood. The number of other young people living at the home has been significantly limited to cater for his individual needs. Consequently it has been possible to ensure a positive experience and improved outcomes, and to demonstrate good potential for a smooth transition to adult services for this young person. Care and support provided by the home has been and continues to be life changing both for young people and their families.

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Overall effectiveness

The care provided is personalised and planned in partnership with parents and other professional agencies. Consequently young people have access to the health care, learning opportunities and leisure facilities they need to work towards overcoming difficulties and fulfilling their potential.

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Overall effectiveness

Behaviour management hinges on clear understanding of the young people’s history and presenting behaviours. Staff are calm and considered in their approach which reduces anxiety for young people. Positive behaviour is encouraged through the use of clear expectations, praise and reward. Physical intervention is kept to a minimum and only used to avoid injury. 3 of 11 Leadership and management arrangements are effective. A Reviewing Officer described the Registered Manager as ‘exceptional’ adding ‘she understands autism and has really got the measure of young people. The staff there bend over backwards to meet needs.’

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Overall effectiveness

A development plan is in place and, alongside other improvement methods, contributes to continual practice improvements which benefit young people. Effective oversight both by the manager and an independent visitor to the home ensure a safe environment and that the care provided is quality assured. This practice contributes to keeping young people safe.

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Overall effectiveness

Opportunities for staff to undertake professional care qualifications have been delayed. While there is no discernible impact on young people, the percentage of qualified staff in the current team is low.

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Overall effectiveness

Two fire doors did not close effectively. These rooms are not currently in use but need attention to ensure all fire procedures and safety measures are robust.

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Overall effectiveness

Independence planning does not detail the young people’s needs in respect of sexual health and relationships. This work is important for young people with complex needs in helping to avoid inappropriate or exploitative relationships, as well as offering opportunities for understanding their own bodies and their sexuality. Two fire doors did not close effectively; these rooms are not currently in use but need attention to ensure all fire procedures and safety measures are robust.

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Overall effectiveness

Independence planning does not detail the young person’s needs in respect of sexual health and relationships. This work is important for young people with complex needs in helping to avoid inappropriate or exploitative relationships, as well as offering opportunities for understanding their own bodies and their sexuality. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

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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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) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, in particular ensure where fire doors are fitted these close effectively. (Regulation 32 (1)(a)) 24/11/2014

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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 young people are supported to understand sexual behaviour and establish positive and appropriate social and sexual relationships as part of independence planning (NMS 12.1)  ensure that histories of employment for all staff are detailed enough to avoid any gaps (NMS 16.3)  ensure that independence planning records contain sufficient information 5 of 11 to demonstrate the focus for future developments and the time scales involved. (NMS 22.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop confidence and a positive self-view in this home where they are valued and treated with respect and understanding. The environment is warm and welcoming, it has been personalised by young people. Their art work is displayed in communal areas and they have a photographic history of their time in the home which they can take with them when they leave. This practice contributes to young people developing self-esteem, confidence and to feeling valued.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Contact with families is encouraged and supported by staff. Parents and siblings are welcome in the home and some visit on a regular basis. This helps to improve young people’s understanding of their background and maintain important relationships. A parent commented that ‘we are pleased with the progress our son has made, he has done brilliantly, and it’s a sign of his increased confidence that he has readily accepted a move to an adult home.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people engage in education provision and attain qualifications relevant to their ability and understanding. For some this is the first time they have been able to sustain school attendance for any length of time. Those who are awaiting college placements take part in additional activities to promote learning and development of independence skills. Young people develop practical life skills such as cooking and taking responsibility for their personal hygiene. Emotional and social skills development has enabled a gradual and sustained reduction in the amount of support needed.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Unacceptable behaviour has reduced and this in turn has reduced anxiety for some young people. They have been able to develop trust and attachment to the adults caring for them and from this secure base, have made considerable progress in many aspects of their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are engaged in a variety of positive activities which broaden their experiences through exposure to new opportunities. Young people develop social skills through participation in team games such as football. They go to restaurants for meals and particularly enjoy spending time at theme parks and horse riding.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people attend regular routine and specialist health checks. They are helped to understand the importance of healthy eating and take part in regular physical exercise. They develop self-awareness and self-control skills reducing behaviour which is confrontational or socially unacceptable. Young people are not involved in criminal behaviour. They do not smoke or use illicit drugs or alcohol which would affect their health into adult life.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff enable young people to express their views and feelings about the care 7 of 11 provided. They are commonly involved in choosing meals and activities. In addition young people are encouraged to make choices for themselves including their clothing and hairstyle; this contributes to their identity development.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Regular meetings with young people allow them to contribute to the care provided. Young people are encouraged and enabled to attend and contribute to planning and review meetings. Listening and responding to the feelings and needs of young people is an integral aspect of all the care provided and is significant in the promotion of positive outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have become confident about their readiness to move on from the home and are helping with transition planning and arranging their leaving parties.

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Quality of care good

Young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff who understand their complex needs and presenting behaviours. Staffing numbers are high avoiding problems such as bullying. Admissions to the home have been limited to avoid conflict of interest, and young people with competing needs being placed together. More recently only one young person has been accommodated full time. This is to ensure the transition arrangements to adult services for this young person are a success and set him up for life as an adult. This will be the first successful transition for this young person following a string of placement breakdowns and crisis moves.

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Quality of care good

Care planning is detailed and completed in partnership with parents, the placing authority and other stakeholders. The care provided is individualised and flexible enough to provide for a variety of needs. Young people are involved in the decisions about their lives, and their feelings and wishes influence all areas of the care provided. This has contributed to the progress made by the young people and significantly reduced their anxiety and concerns.

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Quality of care good

Young people are quick to express any discontent, and arrangements for them to make a complaint are clear. Young people are also in regular contact with parents and are seen by those undertaking quality assurance visits who advocate on their behalf should any concerns be raised.

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Quality of care good

Staff work in partnership with education providers. Placements are made on the basis of the education provided at one of the organisation’s schools which is within walking distance of the home. Other young people can attend local schools or colleges. Where young people are awaiting placements or moves to other areas and are not in full time further education, the home provides an alternative learning programme. This offers such young people opportunities for development including exposure to new learning opportunities, and includes visits to museums and places of interest.

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Quality of care good

Behaviour management builds on understanding the needs of young people, their 8 of 11 capability to express themselves appropriately and to understand the world and adults around them. Reward, praise and distraction are commonly used to avoid difficult behaviour. The use of sanctions is limited; they are only applied when their purpose is clear and is likely to change or help the young person understand their behaviour. The use of physical restraint is rare and only when there is a risk of harm or injury to people.

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Quality of care good

Staff attend medication training and arrangements are in place for the safe storage and administration of medication.

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Quality of care good

A variety of activities support the interests of young people and help to develop their social and interpersonal skills. Currently young people enjoy lots of activities including horse riding, playing for a five-a-side football team, and attending sporting events.

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Quality of care good

The home is situated just outside a small town which offers local health and leisure facilities. The home has its own transport which is used to take young people out and about to education provision and activities. It is set back from a busy road and there is sufficient space on the drive to park several cars. There are plans to put a gate at the end of the drive to create a barrier between the front door of the home and the road. This is not needed for current residents.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people feel safe in this home; they are relaxed and comfortable. They have an easy relationship with staff and communicate readily with them. Young people are also confident in speaking to visitors and can express any discontent.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff undertake training to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to keep young people safe. They can readily discuss the actions needed to protect young people should there be any suspicion of abuse.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people have not gone missing from this home; if they walk out of the building with this intention the staff follow them and ensure the safety of young people until they return. Incident records are completed and are readily available to inform staff and the police of the risks and action to take. This contributes to a quick and safe return of young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Restraint records are clear and kept in accordance with legislative requirements. Consequently it is easy to determine that the use of such measures has been appropriate and only to avoid injury to staff or young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

New staff undergo a series of vetting checks and monitoring to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Of the employment records checked during this inspection all had criminal records checks, references and identity checks. One history of employment was listed in years rather than months and years which could 9 of 11 lead to gaps in employment going unnoticed. The manager made a commitment to address this omission as soon as possible.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Health and safety checks take place on a regular basis; these include fire equipment checks. Young people are involvemed in fire drills so they know what to do in an emergency. Two fire doors were found to be ineffective and although those rooms are not currently in use, safety could be compromised in the event of a fire. Currently young people are not left alone in the home so for them this risk is reduced.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has been in post for nearly twelve months. She has previous experience of work in this field and holds a Level 4 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in ‘Caring for Children and Young People’, and a Level 5 National Diploma in ‘Leadership and Management’. The Registered Manager leads by example and has a firm but supportive approach. The staff team are confident of her ability and together they make up a dedicated and knowledgeable team. A parent commented ’I can’t praise the staff highly enough, they enjoy rather than endure my daughter who can be very difficult’. These sentiments are echoed by other parents and professionals.

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Leadership and management good

A development plan is in place, it is a live document which is added to on a regular basis to improve the quality of care provided to young people. Suggestions from independent monitoring reports and monitoring by the manager also contribute to development planning and improving the home. The use of reflective practice allows for further advances and provides additional learning opportunities for staff.

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Leadership and management good

Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. Staff now received regular supervision and appraisal, the development planning is robust and young people now have access to the internet should with to use it, and any support and guidance needed.

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Leadership and management good

Staff induction and essential training are provided through formal courses and on- line. Training and development also take place through face to face discussions in supervision and as part of staff appraisals. Specialist training such as working with autism or recognising sexual exploitation is also available to staff. The number of staff holding a professional care qualification is low and there has been some delay in providing these development opportunities needed to ensure that staff have the expected qualifications.

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Leadership and management good

The manager helps staff to keep up to date with current legislation, standards and policies. The team focus on a different policy and children’s home standard every week. They read and sign to say they understand these documents.

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Leadership and management good

The home is able to meet the aims and objectives as set out in the Statement of Purpose. This is a clear document which provides accurate information to parents 10 of 11 and other potential stakeholders. Placing authority representatives confirm that they are clear about the home and the services it provides. The young person’s guide is appropriate and the format suits young people with varying levels of ability and communication needs.

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Leadership and management good

Young people’s records are stored securely to avoid any breach of confidentiality. Records contribute to understanding the life and progress of young people. Independence planning records do not contain time scales to avoid drift, or methods of development to guide staff practice. These deficits do not appear to impact on what have been very positive outcomes for young people, but will become more pertinent when the number of young people accommodated increases.

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Leadership and management good

The home has a good relationship with neighbours and works well in partnership with other agencies. This ensures young people have access to the support they need and also helps to maximise positive outcomes and avoid discrimination. Work in partnership with the police has led to increased understanding by the police of some behaviour presented by young people, avoiding criminalisation and over-involvement of the police in young people’s lives.

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Leadership and management good

The home is maintained to a high standard. It is a large detached bungalow and was completely refurbished and refitted for purpose prior to registration last year. It offers a bright, clean, well equipped and homely place to live. All young people have their own rooms and there is a lot of space to enjoy. Bedrooms and communal living areas are personalised by the young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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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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