Children's Home run by Aspris New Education Services Limited in Lancashire

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

The home has had to negotiate a difficult period since the last inspection. This has been due in the main to challenges posed by a young person whose needs cannot be fully met. An agreement has been reached with the placing authority to find a more suitable placement, although this has proven to be difficult.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is commended for continuing to care for the young person despite the date for terminating the placement having passed on two occasions. It continues to work with the placing authority in an effort to secure a new placement that should be more suited to meeting the young person’s complex needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite the difficulty described and the absence of the manager for a period, staff have worked hard and feel they are now moving into a more positive period where the home can progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The challenges dealt with have not led to any instability in the home. For example, no staff have left and a recent recruitment drive has brought in a group of new staff. Young people have continued to live in a stable environment where they receive a high standard of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing levels are high, which contributes significantly to keeping young people safe. Individuality is recognised. This is reflected in the detailed plans, strategies and assessments of risk, which address young people’s individuality, identity and need. They are reviewed and updated regularly to keep them current.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The good levels of communication observed reflect the excellent relationships that exist between staff and young people. This leads to high levels of consultation whereby young people make decisions about various aspects of their lives. For example, during the inspection young people were seen to be making plans for the evening following their return from school. High staffing levels allow choice and for individual needs to be met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Disability is not viewed as a barrier to young people being able to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. For example, activities are planned to give them experiences of community-based activities, such as swimming, bowling, and opportunities to eat out in restaurants. This regular community contact gives young people opportunities to develop hobbies and interests that they can take into adulthood. As a result, self-confidence improves as young people develop their social networks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people with complex behavioural issues are looked after by a staff team whose members understand their needs and have the skills and abilities to address them. Support is given rather than punishment in times of challenge, unrest and upset, contributing to a feeling of being safe and secure in the home. Monitoring of incidents such as physical intervention is good, but the consistency of fully recording each incident is an area for continued improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home reflects and meets the needs of young people with autism. The levels of cleanliness, state of repair, fixtures, fittings, decor, furnishings and equipment are all of a high standard. There is space for young people to mix or have quiet times away from the group if they wish. Bedrooms are personalised to the taste of the occupant and can be changed to meet individual need. For example, since the last inspection one young person has had their bathroom changed into a wet room, which is more suited to his needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well organised and managed. No staff have moved on since the last inspection, which provides young people with continuity of care. Managers and staff have pulled together to meet the challenges posed to them since the last inspection. This has kept the home stable and functioning to a high standard, with no apparent adverse effects impacting on young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a good record of compliance and has fully addressed the two recommendations made at the previous inspection. This has led to some improvement with the recording of physical interventions. Positive steps have been taken that allow any young person in a wheelchair free access to the play and garden areas, without having to ask for staff assistance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite some of the difficulties experienced in the home, it has retained its stability. Standards of care have remained high and the safety of young people has not been compromised. Young people live in a home where they continue to make progress in all areas of their lives and where they feel safe and secure.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by an independent company. The home is registered for up to eight young people who have learning disabilities, three of whom can be accommodated on a short-break basis.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/07/2016 Full Good 29/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/06/2015 Full Requires improvement 11/03/2015 Full Inadequate

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that all incidents of restraint are fully recorded with all sections of the record being completed in full. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: 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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