Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Autism Services Limited in Dorset

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 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 has been a significant change in the leadership and management of the home. The registered manager is currently absent from her post and interim arrangements are in place to deputise in her absence. Additional senior leaders from within the company have strengthened the leadership and management of the home. Leaders and managers are instilling a new ethos and culture that demonstrates integrity and passion to improve the quality of care that children and young people receive. The number of child protection concerns and high level restraints in this home are a concern. Leaders and managers share this concern and are improving monitoring systems to identify trends and patterns. This has prompted a review of some of the children and young people’s care plans; as a result, this has highlighted that the school is unable to meet some of their needs. The children and young people are,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

therefore, moving on to more appropriate homes in a planned manner. Leaders and managers have a condensed development plan they are working to, which identifies their imminent focus for improvement. The main areas feature the safety of children, quality of staffing, consistency of staffing and staff development and supervision. There are a high number of restraints for some children and young people. Leaders and managers monitor records of restraints and incidents effectively. A behaviour co-ordinator leads on debriefs with children and young people and staff. When children and young people complain about a restraint, they are listened to and supported. Leaders and managers show a commitment to reducing restraint. All agency staff have had behaviour management training, which includes de- escalation. Leaders and managers recognise the high number of child protection concerns and aim to reduce these. Staff understand the child protection policy and know how to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

report a concern. The designated person makes appropriate referrals to safeguarding teams within the local authority and follows guidance provided. Staff are suspended pending investigation when necessary. Leaders and managers show a commitment to providing children and young people with quality staff. A monitoring review of employees, with positive checks from the disclosure and barring service, has resulted in some dismissals. Leaders and managers are taking effective action to ensure that children and young people are safe. Records about children, such as placement plans, behaviour support plans and risk assessments, require improvement. They currently do not provide sufficient information about the child, their needs and how those needs should be met. These records do not link in with each other. The failure to respect young people’s privacy and dignity requires immediate attention. Staff, including leaders and managers, felt it is appropriate for a door to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

be left ajar while staff support a child with their personal care needs. Some of the homes have been refurbished and have a domestic and homely feel. There are still a number of houses that need further attention to bring them up to a good standard for children and young people. Leaders and managers recognise this as part of the development plan. In the majority of homes, children and young people are restricted from accessing an outdoor area or garden as the external doors are locked by keypads. In two homes, there are keypads in place that restrict access to bedrooms. Some kitchen cupboards are locked and some of the children and young people’s wardrobes are locked when it is not necessary. There is a requirement to ensure that leaders and managers review these restrictions. Leaders and managers identify that there continue to be shortfalls in staffing. The home relies on agency staff to ensure they meet the sufficient staffing levels. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

impacts on the consistency of care that children and young people receive. Leaders and managers are successfully reducing the number of hours that agency staff are working, but this is in its infancy. The development plan identifies a strategy to recruit quality staff and retain excellent staff. There is an emphasis on staff development and supervision, which is not yet regular and effective.

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Information about this children’s home

This national private organisation provides care and accommodation for up to 60 students who have autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties. It operates as a residential special school, which also provides accommodation for a number of students requiring 52 weeks boarding and is, therefore, registered as a children’s home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/01/2015 Interim Improved 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure that they: 2 (b) (iii) treat each child with dignity and respect; (iv) provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking into account the child’s background; (vii) provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. In particular, ensure that placement plans clearly describe the needs of children and young people, linking into behaviour support plans and risk assessments were necessary. Ensure that children and young people’s privacy and dignity is respected while being supported with their personal care, ensuring doors are not left open ajar. Continue to improve the environment in all of the homes to provide a homely environment. 08/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered persons must ensure: 2 (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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, review and analyse restraint and safeguarding records. 01/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must ensure that they: 1 (b) inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children’s home 08/03/2017 that promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

2 (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; (e) ensure the home’s workforce provides consistency of care to each child; (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. In particular, ensure that leaders and managers lead a culture that promotes children’s welfare. To ensure that recruitment of quality staff is a priority to provide sufficient and consistency of care. Continue to improve monitoring systems to understand the quality of care being provided. 20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

(a) injury to any person (including the child); (b) serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

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Requirement Due date

(2) Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that the registered manager considers any restriction imposed as a restraint and that these restrictions are communicated explicitly to local authorities in relation to deprivation of liberty. Including the use of locks on external doors, preventing access into the home and access to gardens. 08/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees:

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b) 08/03/2017

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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 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

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

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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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