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

This monitoring visit

This home was judged to be inadequate overall at the inspection on 11 March 2015. Significant concerns were identified about the home’s safeguarding practice. Three compliance notices were served as a result. These related to the identification and response to safeguarding, appropriate information sharing of safeguarding concerns, and accurate daily recording within safeguarding documents. In order to evaluate the progress the home has made in addressing the compliance notices an unannounced monitoring visit was made to the home on 15 April 2015. This report deals only with the requirements relating to the compliance notices. Other requirements, which were made at the previous inspection, will be reviewed at the next full inspection and so remain in this report. This inspection identified that sufficient progress has been made to meet the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection all staff have been briefed and further training is being provided to ensure they are clear on how to respond to incidents which relate to sexual exploitation of young people. The home has reviewed and updated safeguarding and child sexual exploitation policies. In particular highlighting the need to report immediately to the appropriate authorities when young people report issues of concern. A detailed flow chart has been developed to support staff practice.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has developed an action plan to address deficits in safeguarding practice. The results of this have been shared with the placing authority, the police protection unit and Ofsted. An independent review of the home's revised safeguarding policies and practice is also being undertaken by a senior manager within the organisation. The outcome of this is due at the end of April and will be shared with both Ofsted as well as the Responsible Individual and Registered Manager. Weekly monitoring visits to the home are being made by the company's compliance team and the Responsible Individual. A weekly updated action plan is being received by Ofsted outlining progress being made to address the deficits which have been identified. Actions taken are ensuring the safety and welfare of young people is being promoted at all times.

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This monitoring visit

Shortfalls identified in daily recording have been reviewed and, as a result, new paperwork implemented to ensure staff are now prompted to meet the requirements of their role. Staff are clear on issues such as the expectations concerning their recording and reporting of incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Improvement is identified in the management oversight of the safeguarding measures enabling such measures to be assessed for their appropriateness and effectiveness. This development also provides the manager with good opportunity to provide feedback to staff on their practice and provide guidance where it is deemed appropriate.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is taking steps to promote staff development. Regular staff team meetings are being used to provide support and guidance. Personal development plans and the team development plan are in place to direct and support staff's professional development. This purpose of which is to ensure staff have and retain the skills necessary to promote the safety and welfare of young people in their care.

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This monitoring visit

No further requirements have been made as a result of this visit. The home will be re-inspected in accordance with Ofsted guidance on children’s homes that receive an inadequate judgement.

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Information about this children’s home

 The home is maintained by an independent company.

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Information about this children’s home

 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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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health and safety; specifically relating to the replacing of the damaged dining room and bedroom flooring (Regulation 23 (a)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table (Regulation 30(1)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the independent person’s report recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the children’s home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions (Regulation (33) (10)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that children accommodated in a children’s home are provided with food which is properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious (Regulation 13(1)(a)(ii) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) compile in relation to the children’s home a written statement (in these Regulations referred to as "the statement of purpose") which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1 Regulation 4(1) 31/03/2015 (2001) ensure that the children’s home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there. With particular regard to the implementation of the safeguarding policy following safeguarding allegations (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) the registered person shall ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare, care, supervision and where appropriate, treatment of children accommodated there, in particular, ensure all children are adequately supervised during the day (Regulation 11 (a)(b)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is at all times a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children's home; specifically relating to the number of teaching assistants and agency staff who have child care qualifications (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure where a person works in the children’s home in a care role, that person must attain or hold the required care role qualification by the date which falls two years after the date on which that person started work in that position, in the case of a person who starts working in a care role in the children’s home after 1st April 2014 (Regulation 4(a)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

2000 ensure under the requirements of regulations under section 22; the requirements of any other enactment which appears to Ofsted to be relevant, are being and will continue to be complied with (so far as applicable) in relation to the children's home; with particular reference to the conditions of registration (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(b)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that written records that are kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect and of the action taken are clear and contain sufficient detail (Regulation 16 (2)(d)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) make suitable arrangements for the safe recording and administration of medicines received into the home; specifically relating to ensuring all children receive the correct medication as its prescribed (Regulation 21 (1)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) implement a written policy that is intended to safeguard children from abuse or neglect and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation or abuse or neglect (Regulation 16 31/03/2015 (1)(a)(b))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) shall prepare and implement written a policy which in particular; consideration to be given to the measures which may be necessary to protect children in the children’s home following an allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16(2)(d)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the home is conducted in a manner which respects the privacy and dignity of children accommodated there; with particular regards to the use of medication and wheelchairs (Regulation 11(2)(a)) 31/03/2015

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Information about this inspection

The reason for this visit is to monitor the compliance notice sent on 25.03.15 setting out a requirement under regulation 16.1(a)(b); Regulation 16.2(e), Regulation 16.2 (d).

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection.

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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