Children's home run by Aspris Care Central Limited in North Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the requirement set at the previous inspection. She has followed safe recruitment processes and completed risk assessments to ensure that only those staff who are appropriately checked are working with young people. She has liaised with placing local authorities to ensure that the home has received relevant up-to-date pathway plans. This ensures that the staff have access to current information with which to work with the young people. Staff have acted as champions for these young people, chasing the local authority to provide the services that the young people need. They have met with young people in key work meetings and workshops, looking at a range of issues such as safe relationships between themselves and staying safe in the community. Staff have supported young people with regular community meetings. These meetings have provided the opportunity for young people to give their views on a

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

range of issues, such as activity planning and menus. It also gives them opportunities to give their views about day-to-day issues and relationships in the home. Staff have acted on the views, such as providing board games and the purchase of a new computer game console. Staff reward good behaviour, for example, with extra money for activity. Poor conduct has consequences, such as the loss of activity. Staff record these and the manager reviews the records to measure how effective the consequences have been in changing behaviour. Recently, there have been more rewards than consequences as there have been improvements in the behaviour of the young people. Trained staff intervene physically if a young person is at risk of harming themselves or others. There have been no incidents of restraint since the previous inspection. Young people are making steady progress in this home. Pathway plans are in place

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to support young people in gaining the skills and the confidence that they need to live independently. One young person commented: ‘The staff have supported me with completing independent skills and have helped me learn to cook and buy the right kind of food.’ Some young people have developed their study skills due to their improved commitment to education, which the staff support. The staff have welcomed one young person to the home since the previous inspection. Staff complete positive risk assessments that integrate with young people’s care plans. As a result, young people feel safe in this home. A young person commented: ‘Staff support me and make sure I am okay. They have helped me learn to look after mys elf.’ Staff are aware of the risks in the community for these young people. Incidents where young people go missing have reduced. Staff follow the correct procedures to alert agencies, such as the police to support a

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

swift return to the home. Direct work has taken place to help the young people to understand these risks. Despite this work, there have been three occasions where young people have been missing. Placing social workers speak positively about the progress that young people have made in this home. One social worker remarked that this is the most suitable home for their young person, commenting on the difference that it has made: ‘He arrived not being able to sit still, hyper anxious and unable to engage with adults. Recently this has changed and he is now engaging with staff and taking part in education.’ Careful transition plans are in place for one young person to move to supported lodgings near to his family. Since the last inspection, the staff have successfully supported another young person move to a more specialist home, which can meet his specific, individual needs. The manager has a robust approach to reviewing case records and direct work

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

completed with the young people. This means that she can quickly pick up any shortfalls in practice as well as encouraging the staff to provide suitable boundaries for young people. Consequently, there has been an improvement in oversight and management of the home. There is a sound development plan in place for the home. This details a strategy for the recruitment and retention of staff, future improvements to the physical environment, and the training pathway for staff.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager effectively manages a small and committed staff group. She achieves this through flexible use of the rota to ensure that there are sufficient, trained staff available to support the young people. Regular supervision takes place, which focuses on safe care practice and staff training needs. A review of staff training completed at inspection showed that although staff have received some good training, in particular safeguarding, the manager could not evidence that specific training regarding safeguarding for young people with learning difficulties had taken place. As a result, staff lacked knowledge in managing these distinct issues. There have been two complaints since the previous inspection. The manager has acted appropriately and followed the provider’s policy and procedures to ensure safe care practices. There have been no notifications to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This children's home is part of a large organisation operated by a private company. The children's home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed, and recorded in the home’s workforce plan. This relates to staff receiving training in safeguarding children with learning difficulties, and bullying. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 43 paragraph 9.12)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7