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

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Through discussions and using the formal complaints process, young people are expressing that they are not happy living at the home. They attribute this to a considerable deterioration in one young person’s behaviour since that young person moved in. Such behaviours include major damage to property, and verbal and physical aggression. Staff and managers have recognised the decline in the young person’s behaviour and have implemented strategies. However, the interventions used by the staff have been ineffective in addressing the young person’s behaviour, which is continuing to escalate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers did not fully assess and evaluate the impact of this young person’s known risks and behaviours on the current young people prior to the person moving in. The young person moved from one of the provider’s other homes and managers assumed that other young people had influenced the young person’s behaviour at this last placement. Consequently, managers failed to consider how the young person’s behaviours might present in this new environment. They did not devise strategies to reduce the likelihood of these behaviours affecting the other young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are not always adequately informed of how to keep the young people safe. Some young people’s risk assessments are not updated to include all of their known risks and behaviours. Examples include violent aggression towards others, the potential to misuse medication, engaging in self-injurious behaviour and encouraging their peers who do not smoke to use e-cigarettes. A lack of clear guidance means that staff are not sufficiently informed of how to intervene to protect young people. This is exacerbated when behaviour support plans are not updated after incidents to reflect new and changing challenging behaviours. However, staff and managers do record consequences and physical interventions appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Fire safety within the home is compromised. A young person’s bedroom door is missing the fire seals. This is because a young person regularly removes them, yet the staff fail to ensure their quick replacement. In some instances, staff’s poor recording of medication administration risks medication errors being made. Gaps were identified in medication administration records without any explanation of why the medication had not been given. Such practice risks medication errors, including the potential for a young person to receive the stated medication dose twice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment does not promote a sense of feeling valued. There are areas of significant damage, and the decor is looking very tired and worn. A previous recommendation to improve this aspect is repeated. The registered manager stated that funding has been agreed for the refurbishment of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each young person is engaged in education. Those who previously had poor attendance now attend daily. The majority of young people are progressing well in their studies. However, there have been concerns raised regarding two young people’s engagement at school. Staff have worked closely with the school to identify the reasons behind the young people’s disengagement. Staff’s intervention and collaborative approach with the school have been successful for one young person, but ineffective for the other. As a result, one young person is not making any progress academically and is no longer attaining age- or stage-appropriate levels. Education staff have advised that there has been an increase in this young person’s assaults on staff and pupils.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to develop their independence skills in preparation for adulthood. They are learning to take increased responsibility for themselves through carrying out chores, learning to budget and using transport independently. They are also learning to keep them themselves safe through completing booklets entitled ‘My life, my risks on road safety’, which encourage young people to consider risks and how to minimise them. As result, the young people are becoming more confident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The wide range of activities on offer help the young people to develop their confidence and integrate into the wider community. Young people decide upon activities for themselves. This includes attending youth clubs and becoming members of sports teams.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have successfully used the complaints process to raise their concerns. They are confident in approaching the staff if they are having difficulties, and they believe they will be listened to. Two complaints have been received. These were made on the day prior to the inspector’s arrival. As a result, the inspector was unable to evaluate the registered manager’s response. This will be followed up at the next inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff respect the young people as individuals. They are afforded the opportunity to express themselves and to explore their identity. When necessary, staff have obtained specialist support and advocated successfully on young people’s behalf.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Systems for recording and managing safeguarding concerns are robust. Staff are knowledgeable of the safeguarding and child protection processes, and report any concerns accordingly. There is a prompt response to safeguarding concerns, with swift referral to child protection services. There have been no incidents of young people leaving the home without permission, yet suitable procedures are in place if such an incident should occur.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a good oversight of the service, allowing her to identify concerns. She has recognised that the behaviours of one young person are having a detrimental impact on the other young people. She has facilitated close liaison with the young person’s school and therapist, which has enabled professionals to realise the full implications of the young person’s difficulties. The registered manager has taken action to inform her leaders of her concerns and has arranged a meeting with the placing authority to discuss the young person’s provision and future support. However, the impact of these actions cannot be determined or evaluated at this time.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a national, private organisation and provides accommodation for an associated residential special school. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people aged nine to 17 years who have emotional behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 30/06/2015 Full Inadequate 18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/08/2014 Full Adequate

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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 protection of children standard, the registered person is required to ensure: (2)(b)(ii) that staff protect and promote each child’s welfare.

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Requirement Due date

in particular, ensure that young people’s behaviour does not have a detrimental impact on other young people living in the home. 03/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person is required to ensure: (2)(a)(i) that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, they should ensure that impact risk assessments and young people’s risk assessments include all the necessary information. 03/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation (1)(a)) 03/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered manager should ensure that the children’s home provides a homely, domestic environment. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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 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

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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