Children's Home, Residential special school run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC391860 Inspector Michelle Edge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered person Priory Education Services Ltd Registered person address 5th Floor 80 Hammersmith Road London W14 8UD Responsible individual Katherine Bridon Registered manager Laura Sheridan Rider Date of last inspection 19/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 30/03/2015

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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 sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has taken effective action to address the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Restraints records have been updated and now include all relevant information, including the time, date and staff involved. There is also an opportunity for both young people and staff to discuss what happened with an independent adult. The Registered Manager now signs all records to identify any themes, patterns or actions. These are then used as an opportunity for learning. The Recruitment process has been improved to make sure that only suitable people work with vulnerable young people. A clear record is now kept of all relevant recruitment checks, including references and qualifications. Staff are requested to provide full and satisfactory information, including identifying any gaps in their employment history. This ensures that young people are cared for by suitably vetted staff.

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This inspection

The home’s environment is currently in need of some attention to ensure it provides a suitable warm, welcoming environment for young people. Rooms that are designed for sensory stimulation need to have appropriate equipment and furnishings. This will provide young people with complex needs, the opportunity to control their sensory input and to vary the stimuli received through a number of senses. It can then be an interesting, motivating, calming or stimulating environment, depending on the young person's needs.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection another young person has moved into the home. The young person had previously attended the school on the same site, so the transition period for him was smooth as he knew the other young people. Prior to moving to the home, a detailed impact risk assessment was completed to ensure the staff team could meet his needs and the group of young people would be compatible. The Registered Manager met with the family to gain information to develop his care plan, health passport and risk assessments. The young person and the family were 3 of 6 provided with an opportunity to visit the home and meet the staff. The young person was asked their views and said ‘he wanted to live at the home.’ The young people already residing in the home were given basic social stories which informed them about the new young person moving in. This ensured they were involved in the process. Parents and social workers are very complimentary about the service

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This inspection

provided and the input young people receive to overcome their difficulties and achieve their full potential. One parent said ‘the difference they have made in my child’s life is fantastic. His communication has developed and his social skills have clearly improved.’

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This inspection

The health and well-being of young people are encouraged. A new health passport has recently been developed. This contains young people’s health needs and medication. It also provides a detailed account of all their appointments. Staff are expected to take them to appointments and provide a summary, including the outcome and any actions needed. However this is not consistent across the team and some health records do not provide an up to date accurate record of appointments or all of the young person’s health needs. They are also not consistently signed and dated when changes have been made. Some records do not also detail any medical aids young people may require. This does not promote good health and well-being.

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This inspection

Communicating with young people is a priority of the staff team. A variety of methods are used which are consistent with those used in the young people’s school. Staff are familiar with each young people’s individual methods and how they can make themselves understood. Training is offered frequently to staff to ensure that they understand the different communication methods. Knowing the young people as individuals and understanding how they indicate pleasure or displeasure are vital to being able to meet their needs. Young people are supported to have an input into their own care plans and reviews. Photographs are provided of young people taking part in activities for them to see the progress they have made. However this is not consistent across all young people. Some records do not contain all relevant and up to date information and young people’s views are not always represented. Daily group meetings have recently been introduced to provide young

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This inspection

people with an opportunity to talk about activities they may like to try, using pictures and photographs. This provides further opportunities for staff to consult with young people and listen to their views. One young person requested that she could go swimming in the evening and the staffing was increased to ensure this could happen safely. Young people are also encouraged to identify foods they may like and are involved in the planning of meals and on some occasions shopping for food. This encourages young people’s independence skills.

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This inspection

Safeguarding young people is central to practice. Young people are supported to keep safe. Sufficient levels of supervision both inside and outside of the home recognise their vulnerabilities. Risk assessments sufficiently identify potential risks and how these can be managed effectively. They are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure all staff are fully aware of any changes. This helps ensure young people are 4 of 6 protected. Young people do not go missing from care as sufficient levels of staff are available to ensure their safety and well-being at all times. They are supported to take part in a wide range of social and leisure activities and are also provided with new opportunities. One young man is currently attending a local equine centre. This has been a slow and gradual process and initially he only stayed for a short period of time. As his confidence has developed, he has remained for longer and can now stay

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This inspection

for up to half an hour. This aids his physical development, by building core strength and improving his balance. Other young people regular attend an ice skating ring. Initially the new environment presented difficulties, as young people struggled with the changes to their routines. But with adequate support they now attend regularly and look forward to this opportunity. This has improved their self-esteem, confidence and provides opportunities to engage in the same activities as their peer group.

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This inspection

Effective monitoring systems continually review the quality of care provided and outcomes for young people. The Registered Manager believes in leading by example and is involved in all aspects of the homes operation, including carrying out health and safety checks and working alongside staff and young people on evening shifts. This enables her to monitor everyday practice in the home and observe relationships between staff and young people. Staff reported they are adequately supported in their roles and have access to regular supervision and training. These provide opportunities to discuss practice issues and personal development. Staff said ’the Manager is very approachable, helpful and will encourage your own development.’ Team meetings are held weekly and staff are encouraged to add any agenda items they may have and meetings are an open forum to discuss changes and development in practice and outcomes for young people. This ensures that practice

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This inspection

is consistently reviewed and young people’s needs are being met. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a residential special school which is operated by a large private care organisation. The two adjacent houses are registered to accommodate 14 children and young people with learning disabilities. The school is registered with the Department for Education and has a specialism in autism. Half the young people are currently over the age of 18 and will leave the home as they finish their education at the school.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2014 Full good 20/03/2014 Interim good progress 16/01/2014 Full adequate 27/02/2013 Interim good progress

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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 that there is a written record of medication, treatment and first aid given during placement (NMS 6.15)  ensure that records are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatising and distinguish as far as possible between fact and opinion (NMS22.4)  ensure the home provides a homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS10.3) 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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