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

Unique reference number SC473631 Inspector Jamie Richardson 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 Hilary Jane Grimshaw Date of last inspection N/A 2 of 9 Inspection date 26/11/2014

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Previous inspection N/A Enforcement action since last inspection none

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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

This home has made significant improvement in all areas since the previous inspection. It is now providing good and effective care overall.

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Overall effectiveness

A new deputy manager and manager are in place. A dedicated senior management improvement team are also working closely on a daily basis with the manager, staff and young people. The new manager and committed senior management team are focused on ensuring all improvements are maintained. They are highly motivated to continue to improve outcomes for residents. For example, through the introduction of focused planning and key work sessions including an individualised matrix. This focused planning will help young people work towards their maximum potential in all areas.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff training has been delivered in all areas identified at last inspection. Staff have received online training and attended a course on sexual exploitation. There is also an ongoing update file where staff can continue to keep their knowledge up to date in respect of local issues. Where needed, staff have undertaken supervision training and the supervision system has been revised and improved in full. All staff have refreshed their safeguarding training. Some senior staff have undertaken the advanced course and are now designated safeguarding officers. Staff have received training on disabilities and as there is now a dedicated specialist for autism, further 3 of 9 training is planned. The high level of input enhances staff knowledge and skills and as a result young people are now receiving good quality care that meets their individual needs.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff morale is high. Staff are now well supported though effective and regular supervision. Staff report that they now feel empowered to support young people. They feel the reorganisation of the home is enabling them to plan better and spend more quality time with young people. This has benefitted young people, as many were previously not engaging and now all are taking part in education and activities. Some young people are taking up new hobbies. The introduction of a reward system has further motivated young people and has encouraged participation in a range of independence task, such as washing their own clothes.

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Overall effectiveness

An effective missing policy and procedure is now in place. Staff have established strong links with the local safeguarding board and the police. All staff have received dedicated training for missing young people. This has been effective, as recent missing episode have been dealt with well and successfully safeguarded young people. However, incidents involving restraint of young people could be better recorded and this is a requirement following this inspection.

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Overall effectiveness

The links with the local police have created further learning opportunities and safeguards for young people. The local Police Community Safety Officer (PCSO) is undertaking a range of work with young people around risks, such as substance misuse. The PCSO is liaising closely with the home to educate young people on positive behaviour. Young people are enrolled on a range of courses to further enhance their knowledge. This will help to keep them safe. 4 of 9

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private national provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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

17B (2001) The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for purpose of which shall include a description of any injury to the child concerned or any other person and any medical treatment administered; (Regulation (17 (B)(3)(g)) 10/01/2015 5 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Outcomes for young people in this home have significantly improved. Young people are building positive relationships with staff. One young person commented; `My key worker reminds me of my mum I can talk to her.’ Positive attachments with staff help young people to feel settled and they promote their emotional resilience and overall wellbeing.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress with their educational attendance. Education is tailored to young people’s needs; for example, some young people are now educated at home and access work-based settings. Young people are now attending regularly, which is good progress from their starting points. Previous attendance for some was poor or had ceased altogether. Improved attendance is helping to enhance young people’s academic and social skills. It will also help to prepare them for adult life and employment.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy good health. They are encouraged to make healthy food choices and participate in sport. One young person is currently joining an athletics club; this will benefit their physical health both now and in later life.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are learning the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Smoking is actively discouraged and they are learning the risks of smoking and substance misuse both through key work sessions and from support by the local police. Young people are due to access community courses around substance misuse, smoking and keeping safe. As a result they will gain knowledge that empowers them to make safe and healthy choices.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Most young people benefit from regular contact with their families. For example, some young people’s parents frequently visit them in the home. One social worker commented on how this is supporting the young person to feel settled and reducing their anxieties. Positive contact with family and friends helps to maintain young people’s sense of security, identity and belonging.

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Quality of care good

Specialist staff are seconded to this home, assisting new staff to further develop their knowledge of specific disabilities, such as autism. As a result young people benefit from a staff group that understands their individual behaviours and know them well. This builds trusting relationships, as young people are cared for by staff who are consistent, helping them to feel secure and settled. 6 of 9 Care planning is continually improving and is suitably differentiated to meet young people’s individual needs. The new system allows strengths and key areas of young people’s development to be identified through a matrix. For example, some young people are focusing on developing skills for independence. They are now participating in life skills work, such as cooking and cleaning. They are also joining in group activities such as meetings. This empowers them to contribute towards their own plans in which they have not previously engaged. Some are working towards

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Quality of care good

independence. This will support their transition into adulthood, giving them the skills they need for later life. This focused planning for each individual allows staff to easily identify areas of strength and weakness. Consequently, it enables young people to develop in the areas targeted and to make good progress.

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Quality of care good

Staff actively support young people to access education. Communication between home and school is significantly improving, and both are now aware of any issues that may impact on either young people’s education or wellbeing in the home. Staff are successful in supporting young people to access work settings, such as a horse racing college. This is progress for young people who cannot access a school environment and helps equip them with the skills they need for employment in later life.

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Quality of care good

Staff engage young people in meaningful activities. They identify young people’s interests and use these to motivate individuals to participate in activities. For example, one young person has recently taken up guitar lessons. Staff support other young people to visit Christmas markets, go ice skating and to the cinema. This enhances young people’s social and life skills, developing their self-confidence and creating a sense of achievement.

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Quality of care good

Staff encourage young people to express their views about their care. Young people know how to make a complaint. One young person said; `I can talk to my key worker or tell any staff if I am worried or not happy.’ Staff provide differentiated complaints and feelings forms to help promote communication. If young people cannot write, they have the opportunity to draw or they have access to a feelings tree. This individualised approach makes young people feel valued and gives them a sense of control.

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Quality of care good

The home is well maintained and decorated though out. Young people enjoy a Jacuzzi bath which helps them to relax. Young people have access to a well maintained garden. The home is situated in a quiet area, close to community facilities, such as shops. This benefits young people as they access local facilities to build their life skills and independence.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

7 of 9 Safeguarding in this home is judged to be good. Staff effectively manage behaviour by the use of a positive reward system, motivating young people to maintain good behaviour and giving them a sense of control and achievement when they gain their reward.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Restraint is used as a last resort. However, the recording of incidents of restraint by staff does not fully evaluate whether a young person required medical attention following restraint. It is evident that while some consultation does take place with the young person regarding their feelings and any injury, the recording does not always reflect this. This has not had any direct impact on young people as to date, no injuries have been sustained or reported. The manager is fully aware of this shortfall and training has been delivered to staff with further training scheduled. This will educate staff about thorough record keeping and will provide young people with a more robust service to keep them safe.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are cared for by a staff team who are all fully trained in safeguarding. In addition, there are four senior designated safeguarding officers. The manager strives to have one on shift at all times. This ensures that any safeguarding issues are dealt with efficiently and young people are protected. Up to date risk assessments are in place for all young people. These are specific to each individual and activity. Staff know how to keep young people safe; clear risk areas are identified with protective factors and strategies in place to reduce risks.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The gate has now been secured around the side of the house so that young people cannot climb on the roof. This has been effective, as there have been no further insistences of residents of this home climbing on the roof.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people report that they feel safe in their home. Staff respond immediately to bullying concerns and help young people to understand respectful relationships. Staff discuss how bullying makes individuals feel through key work sessions. Through this, young people are taught about appropriate relationships, empowering them to make positive choices about their behaviour and enhancing their relationship skills for now and in later life.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are protected by robust recruitment processes. Management thoroughly assess new staff and do not recruit unless they are fully satisfied staff are appropriate for the role. All visitors have their identity rigorously verified, to ensure young people are safe from strangers entering their home.

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Leadership and management good

The manager has six years' previous experience within a supervisory role and has been in this current post for 6 weeks. He is working towards a level 5 management qualification and has extensive experience of working with young people with behavioural difficulties. 8 of 9 The manager has an effective overview of this home. He identifies strengths and weaknesses and takes immediate action to rectify shortfalls. For example, all compliance notices and requirements from the last inspection have been met to a good standard.

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Leadership and management good

Staff are led by strong management team and, as a result, young people within the home are thriving. Staff are clear about their roles, and this gives them confidence that enables them to focus on young people’s needs. It is clear that they understand their goals and what they are aiming to achieve. One member of staff commented: `I’m getting lots of good feedback and praise. I want to do it. I like the work. They are giving me opportunities. I have more confidence.’ Staff morale is high and consequently, staff are motivated to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people. One staff member commented: `I’m really enjoying it. It’s now a really nice place to work because everything is getting done and organised. We spend more time with young people.'

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Leadership and management good

The management team provide quality, focused training for staff. Since the last inspection staff have received additional safeguarding training and sessions in relation to disabilities, missing persons, supervision and sexual exploitation. The home has specialist autism training scheduled for January. This will give staff the additional specialist input that they need to meet young people’s specific needs and ensure young people receive quality care from trained and knowledgeable staff.

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Leadership and management good

The interim manager has put a strong development plan in place that has a focused vision of a quality service, and details areas of training and further improvement. The manager recognises training is required in recording and this training is scheduled. The manager also recognises that after a recent period of instability leading up to the last inspection, admissions should be carefully considered. He suggests that the number of residents remains low to enable progress and stability. This demonstrates the manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

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Leadership and management good

Consultation with staff enables them to feel valued by the management team. For example, staff reported being fully consulted on new supervision forms and their content. This empowers staff to put forward their opinions and provides a sense of ownership and control. Staff are given responsibility and are supported through regular supervision, giving them confidence in their abilities and recognising good practice. It further highlights areas for improvement. This gives staff a clear sense of direction and ultimately increases the quality of care that young people receive. 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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