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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been a number of young people transitioning in and out of the home. The manager has carefully considered each new admission. However, paperwork received has not always been reflective of the behaviours and needs that the young people have presented on admission. As a result, the manager has ended placements when she has felt that it is in the best interests of the young people. All transitions in and out of the home have been planned and fully supported by the staff team. Meetings with other providers have also taken place to ensure that the best possible transitions are achieved. For example, the staff have supported a young person to move into semi-independent living. This has included visiting him, helping him to set up his furniture, and identifying local amenities such as the nearest bus stop and supermarket. The young person told the inspector, ‘The staff helped me, I couldn’t have done it

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people talk positively about their time at the home. Two of the young people were able to reflect on how, through nurturing relationships with staff, they have been helped to moderate their behaviours and feel happier as a result. One young person told the inspector about the themed nights that he had been taking part in. These were described as enjoyable and lots of fun.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any incidents of going missing from care since the last inspection. There have, however, been incidents of self-harming, drug misuse and incidents of challenging behaviours. Staff work from live risk assessments and understand the needs of the young people in their care extremely well. They work closely with placing authorities, police, and the in-house therapists to strengthen their knowledge around risks so that young people receive the right support. As a result, young people have been helped to make safer decisions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have been helped to develop the skills necessary for independence. Young people are able to budget and cook basic meals. When appropriate, staff help young people to complete application forms for potential employers. When a young person has shown a particular interest in a chosen carer, for example, the army, staff have asked guest speakers to come into the home to talk to the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are not afraid to challenge other professionals’ views if it is in the best interest of the young person. For example, a placing authority wanted to put in place a risk assessment for a young person that would not fully minimise the potential risks. The manager asked that this was escalated to a professionals’ meeting so that a multi-agency approach could be taken to help keep the young person safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During times of challenging behaviour, young people can do substantial damage. This damage is always quickly repaired.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were two requirements and one recommendation raised at the last inspection. Young people are now involved in their care plans. However, not all staff are yet qualified at level 3 in residential childcare within the necessary period and the manager’s supervision does not enable her to reflect on practice. As a result, these shortfalls have been repeated.

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Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/06/2016 Full Good 12/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/06/2015 Full Requires improvement 07/01/2015 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification. (Regulation 32(4)) 30/06/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  ensure that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. Professionally qualified staff employed by the home, such as teachers or social workers, should be provided with relevant professional or clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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 that 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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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