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

Requires improvement

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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because:

 The home has been without a Registered for three months. In this time, several leaders and managers have had an input in the home which has but this has unsettled and confused staff following the previous ineffective leadership. Staff were unable to locate key documents or give consistent responses to questions regarding the day to day running of the home.  Young people are not yet placed fully at the centre of all practice, due to a lack of direction from management within the home. The staff team are complimentary of the new manager, who is beginning to focus on this.  There is little focus on in-house activities and encouraging individuals to occupy themselves, other than spending time on laptops. Activities such as arts and crafts are not readily available in the home for example.  Sexual health is not considered within the home. This is essential given the age group and some individual need. There is a reliance on education in this

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because:

area being provided by school. There is a lack of a formalised approach to sexual exploitation and supporting individuals to overcome past abuse.  Referrals to school-based emotional well-being support is not always effective. Requests from young people are not responded to promptly; including a young person requesting counselling, that was only formally arranged after she had reached crisis. Additionally, there is no evidence that consultation has been given by the occupational therapist for the use of a young people’s weighted blanket, which is a concern.

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because:

 Young people’s views are not consistently sought and recorded after a restraint, despite new, young-person-friendly forms being devised.

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The children's home strengths

 A new home manager has been appointed in recent weeks, and staff feel he has already made a difference in guiding them and supporting them on shift. Staff feel this is improving consistently in approach and boosting morale.  Young people are afforded the opportunity to build strong relationships with staff within the home. Young people approach staff and identify those they will listen to and respond to. Staff take the time to listen to young people, determining what they are trying to communicate, be it through sign, pictures, writing or verbal communication.  All young people in the home attend education. Staff use inventive approaches with those who struggle to attend or do not cope with transitions, including sitting with them in the school building until they are confident to move to the classroom and bringing school work home if they cannot leave the house.  Young people have some strong relationships with staff and appear to

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The children's home strengths

approach them with their worries or concerns. Staff are confident what to do if they feel an individual is at risk of harm. Policies and procedures are comprehensive, considering areas of risk including exploitation in all forms and radicalisation. Policies are responsive to lessons learned locally and nationally and reflect government strategies and agendas.

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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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Requirement Due date

5 Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the engaging with the wider system standard, with particular reference to the arrangements for the provision of health care, emotional wellbeing services and occupational therapy, the registered person must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(b) seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

(d) seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

7 The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(iii) help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child; (iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care;

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Requirement Due date

(b)(iii) young people are given appropriate advocacy support. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to 30 November develop, and to benefit from positive relationships where staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(ii) help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

(iii) encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

(vi) help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

(vii) help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. Staff must ensure they-

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

(ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; including making clear records;

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Requirement Due date

(b) that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm and evidence action taken in response to investigations. 30 November

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Requirement Due date

13 The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that provides consistency in management which includes—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the 30 November home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

(b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

(e) ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

(g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on— (i) research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and (ii) feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. Including provide regular and effective supervision for staff.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 48 hours of the use of any sanction or restraint, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii) and (c)) 30 November

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that children are offered a wide range of activities inside the home and are encouraged to participate in those activities. Staff should support children to take part in school trips, out of school and other clubs, volunteering and leisure activities, but also learn to occupy themselves and spend time alone (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 31, paragraph 6.5)

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Recommendations

 ensure that children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement that provided by their school through Personal, Social and Health Education. Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children understand, and where necessary work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being such as, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diet, exercise, mental health, sexual relationships, sexual health, contraception and use of legal highs, drugs, alcohol and tobacco (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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Recommendations

 ensure there is a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by a national private provider. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 14 children and young people with learning disabilities. The home shares a site with two schools also owned and run by the organisation, which children and young people can attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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requires improvement

Young people are afforded the opportunity to build strong relationships with staff within the home. Young people approach staff confidently and identify those they will listen to and respond to. Staff take the time to listen to young people, determining what they are trying to communicate, be it through sign, pictures, writing or verbal communication. It is evident though that one individual has taken to using written word rather than verbal communication, in order to ensure staff spend time with her, suggesting she would not get the attention she needs otherwise.

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requires improvement

Formal consultation with young people as a group is difficult due to the varied needs and understanding of those currently placed. Young people have time with their key workers to share their views and ideas, including what they would like to do and activities they are interested in. However, this requires further development to evidence how induvial voices are heard and the actions taken in response to their requests. Young people have the opportunity to share their views prior to statutory and education reviews and their voice is evident throughout placement plans. Requests are not responded to promptly though, including a young person requesting counselling, that was only formally arranged after she had reached crisis.

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requires improvement

Young people are able to make complaints and have access to a range of advocacy services external to the home. Further consideration is needed to consider how individuals can access these without asking staff permission to use a phone, while meeting the need to keep them safe from contacting inappropriate people. Young people have access to an independent visitor and the independent person conducting visits in line with Regulation 44 takes time to speak with individual and gain their views.

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requires improvement

All young people in the home attend education. Staff use inventive approaches with those who struggle to attend or do not cope with transitions, including sitting with them in the school building until they confident to move to the classroom and bringing school work home if they cannot leave the house. Young people on occasion take advantage in weaknesses in the staff team to avoid school. The recently appointed home manager and headteacher are in the process of formulating strategies to increase attendance in these instances.

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requires improvement

Young people access a range of activities to develop their social and physical well- being. These include bell ringing, cinema trips, bike rides and walks among others. There is little focus though on in-house activities and encouraging individuals to occupy themselves, other than spending time on laptops. Activities such as arts and crafts are not readily available in the home for example.

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requires improvement

Those who are approaching adulthood are effectively engaged in preparation for independence. Young people learn practical skills such as cooking and shopping, happily showing what they have bought for their meals. The work book available is comprehensive, although individuals appear to be avoiding the formal aspect of the work. Those who are moving on, benefit from good joint working with adult services. While one young person’s move has been stalled by a lack of an appropriate placement, a member of staff from his new home was visiting during the inspection and the individual is able to make the final decision if he moves there.

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requires improvement

Young people have access to a range of health care services in order to meet their individual physical and emotional needs. Sexual health is not considered within the home; although this is essential given the age group and the histories of exploitation of some individuals. There is a reliance on education in this area being provided by school. Young people’s emotional well-being is considered and their needs met mostly through the school therapy team. Referrals to this support is not always timely however. There is no evidence that consultation has been given by the occupational therapist for the use of a young people’s weighted blanket, although it is a restrictive practice.

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requires improvement

Pre-placement planning is now of a good standard, although has been lacking previously. The consultation prior to recent admissions to the home was strong. The home have acted in a considered manner determine if they can meet the needs of a sibling group. The young people are demonstrating progress in expressing themselves, however staff need to be proactive in sharing their cartoons and drawings with the art therapist if they are indicative of exploring feelings and issues.

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requires improvement

Behaviour management and enabling young people to manage their emotions is an area which requires further development. There are some very good strategies in place to support young people, but this is not consistent across the team. For example, an individual who was escorted from the office in a positive manner was later allowed to sit on kitchen work surfaces and drop empty crisp packets on the floor without any challenge. The behaviour management policy has been updated, but contains sexist language and stereotypes in its examples of good practice.

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requires improvement

Young people are not yet fully placed at the centre of all practice, due to a lack of direction from management within the home. The staff team are complimentary of the new manager, who they feel focuses on young people. This contrast with previous management that focussed overly on ensuring shifts were adequately staffed and appointments kept, with little management input into young people’s experiences. Contact with family is facilitated as agreed. Young people who have had little communication with family are now building up contact and relationships. A concern raised by a social worker regarding contact for an individual could not be fully assessed as the placing authority have not forwarded up-to-date review minutes to the home.

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requires improvement

Young people’s bedrooms are personalised and they are able to keep their belongings safe. Staff respect their right to privacy and do not enter rooms without permission, although will do in the event of an emergency. The home in general requires refurbishment, and removal of graffiti from walls and furniture is not prompt. Some bathrooms have a foul smell and this has not been investigated as quickly as possible.

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requires improvement

Young people have some strong relationships with staff and appear to approach them with their worries or concerns. Staff are confident what to do if they feel an individual is at risk of harm. Policies and procedures are comprehensive, considering areas of risk including exploitation in all forms and radicalisation. Policies are responsive to lessons learned locally and nationally and reflect government strategies and agendas.

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requires improvement

Young people rarely go missing from care. Policies on how to respond are clear, although individual plans do not indicate at what point the police should be contacted. Staff lack knowledge regarding independent return interviews and there is no evidence these have taken place when necessary. It cannot be determined if this is the fault of the placing authority or the home informing them they are needed. There is a lack of a formalised approach to sexual exploitation and supporting individuals to overcome their abuse and reflect on how to move forwards. The work that has been done is not co-ordinated and does not appear to be following any pattern or agreed strategy.

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requires improvement

Those who use self-injurious behaviour as a coping strategy have sound risk assessments, which staff understand and follow. Young people receive professional emotional well-being support to reflect on why they are harming and how they can cope in other ways. One individual effectively uses danger cards to express she may have items she should not, such as broken glass or crockery. The locking away of cutlery and crockery should be kept under review to ensure it remains a relevant strategy. Bullying is not raised as a concern by young people and when observed by staff, is managed effectively through discussion and understanding of how others may be affected.

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requires improvement

Young people within the home are not currently deemed to be at risk of radicalisation, although senior managers recognise staff would benefit from training in this area as pre-emptive measure. Staff have a strong understanding of e-safety and engage young people in discussion about this. However, relying on the poor mobile phone signal in the home is not an effective strategy to prevent unrestricted access to the internet.

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requires improvement

The use of restraint in the home has been called into question on three occasions, which have been referred to the local authority safeguarding team. Responses and recommendations from these investigations regarding records have not been fully implemented in day-to-day practice. For example, a recommendation that young people’s views are sought and recorded post restraint is not happening, despite new, young person friendly forms being devised. It is unclear whether this is lack of young people being consulted or an oversight that they have yet to be completed. Staff have received behaviour management and restraint training in response to concerns raised and individual risk assessments have been updated. Records do not include space to document when an improvised restraint has been used, to ensure accuracy. Restorative practice has yet to be imbedded in behaviour management and is recognised as an area for further development.

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requires improvement

Risk assessments are clear and updated in response to changes in behaviour and incidents. The information historically has not always been accurate, but this has been addressed in some in response to a recent safeguarding investigation. They afford individuals to take appropriate risk in line with their understanding and capabilities.

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requires improvement

The home environment is not consistently safe. Safety has not been fully risk assessed in one kitchen where vulnerable young people have open access to household cleaners, chemicals and carrier bags. The building requires repair in many areas and while the quality of repair is improving, the home is not homely in its feel and ambience. There is a lack of soft furnishings and pictures that have been burned with a lighter have not been removed.

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requires improvement

Recruitment practice is sound and ensures young people are safe from avoidable risks through robust pre-employment checks.

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inadequate

The home has been without a registered manager for three months. In this time, several leaders and managers have had an input in the home which has further unsettled and confused staff in addition to the previous ineffective leadership. During the inspection, the inspector received conflicting messages. This further demonstrated the current turmoil within the staff team and issues they face with receiving clear direction. Staff were unable to locate key documents or give consistent responses to questions regarding the day to day running of the home.

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inadequate

A new home manager has been appointed in recent weeks, and staff feel he has already made a difference in guiding them and supporting them on shift. Staff feel this is improving consistently in approach and boosting morale. The Statement of Purpose is clear and regularly reviewed. Staff are not aware of the aims and ethos of the service, due to poor leadership and direction.

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inadequate

Staff talk positively of their work, but say they have lacked guidance. Team leaders run their shifts well to ensure young people’s needs are met, but there is little planning beyond this. Observations showed little ingenuity from some staff when they had spare time. This includes doing nothing rather than tidying broken items in the office or familiarising themselves with key documents. Supervision has been sporadic, although this is improving. Staff have access to various training opportunities, although there have been delays in starting level three qualifications for some staff due to difficulties in accessing a training provider.

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inadequate

Evaluation of the service in line with Regulation 44 highlight areas for improvement. A new visitor has recently started visiting the home and provides a greater evaluation of the service provided. Managers monthly monitoring has previously focused on positives within the home. The new home manager and senior leaders recognise this concern and are seeking greater evaluation in future six monthly summaries. Senior leaders for the home are now aware there have been concerns with the leadership and management and are seeking to improve the service. They also now recognise having several managers to support the home has had a detrimental impact on the quality of care provided. The development plan for the home is vague and incomplete. It does not reflect all that needs to improve in the home. The new manager has sound ideas of what needs to improve but this yet to be included in a time limited document.

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inadequate

Staffing levels meet the needs of the current group of young people. Concerns have been raised that one member of staff is often left supervising three young people in an annex to the main home, which leads to staff not effectively meeting their needs.

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inadequate

Young people’s in house placement plans are clear and provide a sound basis of how individuals should be cared for. Regular review of the documents is required to ensure they remain relevant. The lack oversight of individual case files has meant documents from placing authorities are missing and which has gone unchallenged. An example of poor oversight of young people’s case files includes inaccuracy of an individual’s religion throughout documents. Young people who are placed on education only placements files do not contain all the information required as per children’s homes regulations. Young people’s plans and records demonstrate some good joint working, but this is to be further developed and evidenced. Records within the home are not clear and do not evidence the positive work that is being done with young people. For example progress is not recorded clearly. Staff and managers can provide anecdotal evidence, but cannot

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inadequate

substantiate this with suitable records.

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inadequate

Leaders and managers are not always proactive in determining if placements are appropriate. The new home manager and recently appointed head of school are now clear on diagnosis and needs of young people the school and home will be providing a service for. Therefore ensuring they can meet their needs and creating and increasingly compatible in group. Currently young people display a wide range of need and it cannot be guaranteed all are having their needs met well. In response, pre-placement assessments are increasingly robust and consider the needs of the group.

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inadequate

Notifications of serious events have not been forwarded to Ofsted promptly. Additionally, conclusions to safeguarding concerns and child protection investigations have not been sent to Ofsted either.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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