Children's home run by Aspris Care Central Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in June 2016, this home was judged to be good. At the interim inspection in October 2016, it was judged to have declined in effectiveness. This interim inspection has been carried out to consider the actions taken by senior managers since October 2016.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some improvements were noted at this inspection, but several of the requirements set at the last inspection have not been met. A key concern relates to the continuing failure of managers to ensure that detailed and clear records are maintained following an allegation of abuse or neglect. A number of staff were suspended following an allegation made by young people in August 2016. At the time of the inspection in October 2016, records did not reflect the actions taken by managers to support relevant staff or to protect young people. At the time of this inspection, records still do not reflect the actions taken by managers or the support provided to young people or relevant staff. This does not enable safeguarding agencies to gain a clear sense of how managers respond to allegations and could potentially place young people at risk. It also does not provide staff with the support and information they require. Two requirements have been re-set as a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was set relating to how complaints made by young people are recorded and responded to. At this inspection, records still do not clearly reflect the concerns raised by young people, or the actions taken by managers to address them. One young person had requested to make a complaint following an incident in October 2016. Despite the independent visitor raising this with managers in November 2016, a complaint has not been recorded or responded to relating to this incident. This does not provide young people with a clear sense that any concerns they may raise will be taken seriously or responded to in a timely manner. This requirement has also been re-set following this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Formal meetings take place with young people to discuss the care and support they receive and provide them with an opportunity to express their wishes, views and feelings. New systems have been introduced since the last inspection for recording any requests made by young people during such meetings or at other times. However, staff and managers have not consistently ensured that any requests are responded to. The new systems present as confusing. Young people express their views and make requests, but have not always received clear feedback as to what actions staff or managers have taken in response. This does not provide young people with confidence that their wishes, views and feelings will be taken seriously.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor comes to the home every month and produces detailed and comprehensive reports for managers to consider. These include very specific and clear recommendations for actions that would improve the care and support provided to young people. It is of concern that managers have not fully considered or acted on those reports since the last inspection. An example of this relates to the independent visitor clearly stating the need for records of complaints and allegations to be addressed in their November 2016 report. Managers have failed to fully utilise the monitoring systems in place to ensure continual improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of agency staff has reduced since the last inspection, as those permanent members of staff who were suspended have returned to work. There is also a new protocol in place for the use of agency and temporary staff. This provides more clarity and consistency of care for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have received training in relation to ligatures. A range of other training opportunities has also been put in place by the interim manager. This equips staff with the knowledge that they require to meet the complex needs of those young people living in this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Daily records include information as to what independence skills young people have achieved. Staff also have access to a range of comprehensive independence skills workbooks and materials. This enables staff to prepare young people for their eventual move on from this home to other provisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement plans have been updated and amended since the last inspection. Records considered during this inspection provided a clearer sense of the current plans and needs of young people. They have been recently reviewed and updated with the placing authority to reflect the current and changing needs of young people. Looked after review documentation is also recorded on young people’s files, to reflect how plans and needs have been considered on a regular basis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A full-time interim manager came into post in November 2016 to provide management cover for the registered manager, who is on maternity leave. Ofsted is awaiting an application for the registration of this new manager. Staff spoken with during this inspection reported that morale has improved since the last inspection with the arrival of the new interim manager, who is providing consistency of management support to them and young people. This is positive and necessary, given the recent unsettled period for staff and young people in this home.

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Information about this children's home

This privately operated home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/10/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/06/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 02/06/2015 Full Outstanding

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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

establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children and ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(1)(3)) 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

ensure the procedure is followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and in particular, provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response. (Regulation 34(2)(d)) 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the procedure followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect describes the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34(2)(e)) 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered person should

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Requirement Due date

(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. 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must:

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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. This is with specific reference to independent person reports. 28/02/2017

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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

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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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