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

Unique reference number SC449307 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim 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 Anne Wyatt Date of last inspection 08/05/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 06/01/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home was last inspected in May 2014, where it was judged to be adequate in all areas. The home manager, who had recently been appointed at the time of the last inspection, has since been registered. She is working tirelessly to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The increasingly consistent staff team are formulating strong working models to make a positive difference to the young people living in the home. Staff comment that they feel more confident in their roles and having a consistent staff team is helping them to care effectively for young people.

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This inspection

Staff are forming positive and nurturing relationships with young people. Young people are positive about the home and their relationships with staff, saying they feel ‘safe’ and they can ‘talk to staff’. The increasing consistency in approach to behaviour management helps to minimise the use of restraint. Sanctions are fair and proportionate. However, records are not always fully completed, in particular the section for young people’s views. Evaluation of significant incidents is leading to an increasingly reflective approach to managing incidents of unwanted behaviour.

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This inspection

The planning process prior to young people moving into the home has improved, with the Registered Manager having greater autonomy over who is placed. The staff and management team appropriately consider group dynamics and peer relationships. Records have greatly improved and demonstrate a clear evaluation of young people’s progress and areas where they continue to require support. Some young people in the home continue to go missing, but there are close and effective working relationships with specialist police officers. Staff have benefitted from training in gangs and exploitation from an external provider, and said they found this valuable. Incidents of self-injurious behaviour have dramatically reduced overall, and for one young person have ceased. Those who are preparing for independence are developing life skills ready for their next move. One young person has moved on 3 of 5 since the last inspection, and although it was not a planned move, staff had worked

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This inspection

hard to meet the individuals evolving needs prior to the end their placement.

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This inspection

The suitably qualified Registered Manager effectively leads the forming staff team. Staff are now confident in their roles and key workers are knowledgeable in the progress of their key child. Partnership working has become entrenched in daily practice with communication between the home, placing authorities and other relevant services clearly documented. Requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have all been acted upon and met to an appropriate standard. In addition, an extremely thorough lone working policy and risk assessment has been devised in line with individual staff and young people’s needs. External and managers monitoring continues to highlight areas of good practice and those that require improvement. The homes development plan reflects external and internal monitoring. Plans are clear and time limited reflecting improvements for both the fabric of the building and care experience for young people. There have been no

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This inspection

complaints since the last inspection and issues within the peer group are responded to swiftly. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/05/2014 Full adequate 07/01/2014 Interim inadequate progress 20/08/2013 Full adequate 17/05/2013 Full inadequate

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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 where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home. In addition indicate in records where no comment is made. (NMS 3.18) 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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