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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a Registered Manager since August 2015. In the intervening period a manager was identified and engaging in the registration process, however they resigned from their post before the process was completed. A new manager, with a proven track record within the organisation has been running the home since the beginning of February 2016 and has made some significant changes in her short time in post. While several areas require development, great strides have been made to improve the fabric of the building and quality of care for young people. Ofsted are yet to be formally notified of the change in management arrangements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people generally make progress as a result of living in the home. The home manager is currently evaluating the care provided for them to determine how the home can meet all their needs. They are working closely with parents on a variety of care proposals, such as agreeing special diets and weight reduction programmes for those with specific medical conditions. All young people attend the school on the same site as the home. Not all young people have access to computers and the internet within the home to further their education and skills in keeping safe on line. There has been increased liaison with education staff, including the headteacher of the organisation’s school, and therapy team. This has led to increased consistency in approach to care and support and young people having their emotional well-being needs met. Those in year 11 are visiting local colleges or those with specialist residential provision to decide what their next step will be. All

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people are increasingly engaged in a range of activities. Those already involved in community activities have had these supplemented by staff in the home, through more trips and activities in the local community. Those who were spending the majority of their free time in their rooms or on computer games consoles have started to engage in more activities and access the communal spaces within the home. Planning prior to young people moving into the home is sound. Further consideration is now being given as to young people’s needs to ensure the staff team can support them and that they are in line with Statement of Purpose. The new manager is keen to repurpose areas of the building to ensure those who can have greater freedom of movement are afforded that opportunity. Services have historically not been in place at the point of referral and the home manager is seeking to redress this with immediate effect. Records are not yet fully clear in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

evaluating young people’s progress, although this area has improved to some extent. When moving on, individuals have previously not always benefitted from clear, well planned transitions. Again, in proposed plans, this should improve when the next young person is ready to move on.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate they feel safe in the home. Those able to comprehend the concept of safety could confirm they did feel safe and identified staff they would go to if concerned. Others appeared comfortable in staff’s company and did raise issues they had with others in the group in the observed house meeting. Staff have a good understanding of how to respond to any concerns they may have for a young person’s welfare or safety, and incidents have been passed to managers effectively. Where there have been delays, staff have recognised their error and this has been used as a positive learning experience. Records of one serious safeguarding concern were poor and insufficient in detail. Additionally, records were not contemporaneous, rather a copy of emails and not the original documentation or transcripts. This does not provide the full picture of the concern and action taken by the home to ensure

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safety of young people. The new manager keeps extremely comprehensive and effective records of any incidents of concern, including a chronology of events and who has been informed externally and within the organisation of the concern. Action in response to any recent safeguarding incidents has been swift. Staff have benefitted from training in the prevent agenda and training in sexual exploitation is due in the coming weeks. The home manager has linked with the school to ensure exploitation, sexual health and positive relationships is covered in the curriculum as a priority. Additionally, they are looking to include drug and alcohol use and misuse into the programme. It is recognised that the young person most at risk of sexual exploitation and with a history of substance misuse was not suitably placed, and has recently moved on. However, this remains an area for exploration with the remainder of the group. Older young people currently access a social club where

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

alcohol is available for those over 18 years old, and this has significantly supported them to understand responsible alcohol consumption and removed some of the mystique surrounding this. All incidents required to be notified to Ofsted have been reported within appropriate time scales.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel they are able to air their views and concerns, although advocates and independent visitors are still not easily accessible. There have been two complaints since the last inspection, and both have been managed effectively by the senior management team. Young people know how to complain and any issues within the group or with staff are responded to swiftly using a restorative approach. There is increased consistency in staff approach to behaviour management, although behaviour support plans are yet to be fully implemented across all areas of the home. Restraint is used as final option in a range of behaviour management approaches, including diversion and redirection. Records require some further development; engagement of young people in the process of evaluating the effectiveness of sanctions and restraints has improved, although it is not yet fully embedded in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the recently appointed manager has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of care and service provided in the home. The shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been robustly responded to and significant changes made in order to meet the requirements and recommendations set. She has worked closely with the independent visitor in line with Regulation 44, although they have only been in post for one visit. The manager came into post on 1 February 2016 and has been working to ensure staff have an understanding of the ethos and purpose of the service. This previously has not been fully imbedded due to several changes in leadership and management of the home. While each manager has made positive changes to the home, there has been a lack of consistency. The home manager is also supporting staff to form as a team and work with each other consistently. Staff say they now feel confident in their skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home manager has arranged for ongoing training in specific conditions young people are diagnosed with, plus any areas the staff team require to work safely with those placed in the home including responses to self-injurious behaviour, behaviour management and effective key working skills. There are now enough staff to meet the needs of the young people living in the home. The quality has improved and those who have not been suitable for the environment have moved on to other homes or roles and when appropriate, some have had their employment terminated in the probation period. The home manager will be involved in all future recruitment to ensure those interviewed are suitable for the needs of the young people living in home. The home manager acknowledges some concerns in practice prior to her appointment, including the introduction of some practices without a therapeutic basis or agreement, such as using dummies and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

baby bottles. This practice has stopped and all future measures of this nature will only be implemented for specific young people if endorsed by a qualified therapist. Finally, all staff now receive regular supervision and have done for two consecutive months.

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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

19/10/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that -

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Requirement Due date

(b)(iii) young people are given appropriate advocacy support. 08/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so ensuring -

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b) that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child's learning.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific regard to access to computers and when appropriate, the internet. 08/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to 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 08/04/2016 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. 08/04/2016

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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 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; 08/04/2016 (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 the registered provider informs HMCI without delay of the appointment of a new person to manage the home; including the name of the person appointed and the date on which the appointment took effect. (Regulation 27 (2)(a)(b)) 31/03/2016

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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)) 08/04/2016

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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 advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement that provided by their school through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). 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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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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