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

Inspection report children's home: SC481221 1 SC481221 Registered provider: Priory Education Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private organisation. The organisation owns a school on another site that the children can attend.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 14 December 2016

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 There is a stable, dedicated staff team that knows and understands the individual needs of the children. Inspection report children's home: SC481221 2  The staff understand the importance of contact for the children with their families and other important people in their lives, and facilitate this to happen.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children are supported to learn appropriate risks in consultation with their social workers.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children know how to complain and have the opportunity to comment and sign records to say they are happy with the outcome.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff are consistent with setting boundaries and appropriately challenge any inappropriate behaviours.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff celebrate the children’s achievements in a variety of ways.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children are encouraged and supported to take part in a wide variety of activities, both in the home and community.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff understand the importance for the children to learn through play, and actively support and encourage this.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The manager has not received regular supervision to support him in his role.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children’s guide does not contain contact numbers of independent organisations for children to access.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Not all staff have completed their national vocational qualification within the required timescale.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/06/2016 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 20/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC481221 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development and receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. This is in relation to the manager not have regular supervision. (Regulation 33(4)(a)(b)) 16/06/17

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’) or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the level 3 diploma. The relevant date is, in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1 April 2014, the date which falls two years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or, in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32(2)(a), (3)(b), (4)(a)(b),

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Recommendations

 The children’s guide should help children understand the day-to-day routines of the home, what care they can expect to receive while living in the home, and how to contact other agencies such as the Children’s Commissioner. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22) Inspection report children's home: SC481221 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have individualised placement plans that the manager monitors and reviews regularly. The plans support the staff to work with the children in a consistent manner. The staff undertake individual key-work sessions with the children to ensure that the children are aware of the information that is recorded and fully included in their future plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The dedicated staff team encourage progress and celebrate the children’s achievements. The children are given small achievable tasks to complete daily, and every month they receive a letter from the manager outlining their achievements and the rewards they have received. The children can save the rewards up if they would like something bigger. This approach enables the children to gain a positive self-identity and promotes further progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff recognise the importance of promoting and maintaining contact with family and carers. A social worker said, ‘The home has done everything that they promised to do. All contact arrangements go as planned. I have seen a big change, and this is due to the support given.’ Ensuring that children are assisted to have contact, where appropriate, means that they understand their heritage and sustain attachments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have developed good, trusting relationships with the staff. For example, during this inspection a child was visibly upset about a personal matter. Several staff members listened attentively, offered advice and provided nurturing care. The positive relationships developed were evident, and the care provided resulted in the child successfully managing their emotions throughout this incident.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff promote and support the children’s health needs by regular monitoring, and ensuring that the children attend all of their health appointments. All of the children are registered with the local doctor, dentist and opticians. The staff understand the individual needs of the children. One of the children has long-term health needs, and a health risk assessment, including physiotherapy requirements, has been completed in consultation with carers. This ensures that the child receives correct and consistent care to meet their daily health routine. Health awareness work undertaken with another child has resulted in increased independence skills as the child has learned how to self- manage their medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are supported in developing their independence in line with their age, understanding and ability. Two of the children regularly enjoy riding their bicycles, an activity that has been embraced by staff who accompany any child who requires extra support. One child was very proud that he had taught a member of staff to ride a bike. Another child enjoys regular free time in the community with friends. The staff understand the importance of teaching the children to manage risks in line with their age, understanding and ability, which shows that the staff are not risk averse. Inspection report children's home: SC481221 5 The staff understand the importance of education. The staff support and encourage the children to attend. All of the children are in full-time education, and communication with education professionals is effective and consistent. A teacher said, ‘He has progressed so well educationally. We have a positive working relationship with the home and the set-

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

up really works. I am aware that the staff read with him and this has really helped.’ The staff recognise that promoting educational activities in the home supports the children to increase their skills in the classroom. This improves the children’s future life chances significantly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Admissions to the home are prepared well. One child has been admitted since the last inspection, and a teacher said, ‘The staff achieved a very good transition. They worked with all to ensure as pleasant a move as possible. Communication is consistent, and partnership working is as it should be.’ This child visited the home before moving in, his opinion was listened to, and much thought was given to the date of admission. This ensured that the child had a good Christmas, and has enabled the child to develop trust in the staff and settle well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have left the home. One child, in consultation with the social worker, returned home to their family after going missing and refusing to return to the home. However, he did come back to say goodbye to staff and go out for dinner. The second child had not experienced positive endings before; for his previous placements, he had been notified on the same day as the placements ended. On this occasion he had 72 hours’ notice, and was able to plan a meal and activity with staff. A member of the staff also brought her dog into the home so that he could say goodbye, as he had formed an attachment with the dog and helped look after it when the member of staff brought it into the home. This shows that the staff understand the importance of having positive endings for children who are leaving the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Sanctions are fair, proportionate and given appropriately. Both positive and negative behaviour is recorded and monitored. The staff discuss the sanction given to a child, and the child is given the opportunity to comment and sign each entry. This helps the child to gain an understanding of any consequences and develop skills to reduce negative behaviours. A social worker said, ‘Staff are definitely doing something right as significant progression has been made. Unbelievable improvement really.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Mealtimes are clearly an important part of the daily routine in this home. The children are encouraged to follow a healthy diet and gain independence skills by learning to cook their favourite meals with help from staff. The children and the staff eat their meals together at the table, which creates a positive, homely environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is set in a rural location surrounded by large, well-kept grounds. It is decorated to a good standard. The children have had the opportunity to personalise their bedrooms. A child said, ‘I love my bedroom. I really love the view. I can see the pigs.’ A social worker commented, ‘The environment is impressive and provides a therapeutic setting.’ Inspection report children's home: SC481221 6 .’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff challenge any unwanted behaviours and reinforce boundaries by taking into account the children’s ages and levels of understanding. The staff were observed explaining to a child why his behaviour was unacceptable. He was able to talk this through with them. This approach shows that the staff understand the importance of children being able to recognise unwanted behaviours.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place. They outline the risks, and the strategies in place for managing any challenging behaviours safely. These are regularly reviewed and amended when necessary, and are discussed in staff meetings, which further safeguards the children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Health and safety checks are completed and up to date. An area risk assessment has been completed outlining potential risks in the area and actions for reduction.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All medication is stored correctly and recorded. A letter from the doctor is on file giving permission for household medication to be administered.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children say that they feel safe living in the home and they can speak to staff if they are worried or upset. A child commented, ‘I like the staff. They are nice and you can talk to them about anything.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been 19 incidents of children leaving the home without authority since the last inspection. The local police community support officer commented, ‘Previously they had two children who regularly went missing from the home. Staff actively searched for them and worked in complete partnership with the police to ensure they were safely located and returned.’ Since the two children have left the home, there have been no further incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been two physical interventions since the last inspection. The children have had the opportunity to comment and sign after an incident, and the manager evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff understand the importance of safeguarding the children in line with the home’s policy. All of the staff have completed the relevant safeguarding training and are vigilant around the children. This supports the staff to understand the children’s vulnerabilities and potential risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff understand the importance of the children being able to learn to understand Inspection report children's home: SC481221 7 and manage some risks themselves, according to their age, understanding and ability, and in agreement with the social worker. This enables the children to have the same opportunities as their peers.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff report any concerns to the designated officer and follow any advice given.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been 16 incidents of bullying. The majority of these have been the children teasing or calling each other names. The staff take any forms of bullying behaviours seriously. They speak to both the victim and perpetrator to address the issue and prevent recurrence. The children have the opportunity to sign and comment to say they are happy with the outcome. The manager reviews and comments on the effectiveness of work undertaken by staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been one anonymous complaint since the last inspection, which was sent to Ofsted. This was robustly investigated by senior managers.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children know how to complain. There have been five complaints since the last full inspection, which have been resolved in a timely way. The children have the opportunity to sign and comment to say they are happy with the outcome. The children said they would speak to staff if they were worried or upset.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is a comprehensive children’s guide. The guide explains how to make a complaint and how to contact Ofsted. It does not include the details of alternative agencies to contact such as Child Line and the Children’s Commissioner. It explains about the home, but fails to provide the day-to-day routines to ensure that the children understand what happens during the day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since December 2016 and has the relevant experience to manage the home. He is currently undertaking his level 5 in leadership and management. He has a clear vision for the home and recognises the strengths, and the areas he would like to develop. Two deputy managers support him in this role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There was one requirement from the last inspection. This shortfall has not been fully met and will be repeated. There were two recommendations which have been met. The policy for room searches has been updated to give staff clear guidance. This ensures that the children are present as far as possible during room searches and that they have the opportunity to comment regarding the search. The children now have the opportunity to sign and comment on their placement plans through key-work sessions. This shows that the children have input into and understand the plan in place for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have good insight into the children’s individual needs and behaviours and treat them with respect. There is good communication between the staff and the social workers. A social worker commented, ‘Communication is very good. Staff report all Inspection report children's home: SC481221 8 incidents and do what they promise. This has been a very successful placement.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff understand the importance of the children learning, and the opportunity to express themselves through play. The staff actively support and encourage the children to join in and play with a wide range of toys. This shows that the staff recognise the significance of children needing to have the opportunity to play.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are regular staff meetings. These give the staff the opportunity to discuss the children, care practice and any other issues that arise.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment is robust. Staff cannot start working in the home until all checks have been received and verified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is adequate staffing in the home. The staff cover shifts, along with the manager, to ensure that the rota is covered. The staff understand the importance of having a team that knows and understands the children and any risks to safeguarding them. The staff spoken to commented that staff morale has improved. Having a stable staff team has had a positive effect on the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff understand the strengths of the home. They actively work with the children to give them a positive experience. This supports the children to leave with positive memories of their time in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors the care practice and the children’s progress. He uses reports from the independent visitor as part of the monitoring system to help drive improvement. The children’s progression is plotted from admission, to evaluate progression or any concerns. Graphs of progress are produced and are shared with social workers and the children. The staff have a good knowledge of certain dates that may be difficult for some children. This shows that the staff are proactive in being able to support the children through difficult times in their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff receive regular supervision. This supports the staff with working with the children, and with their own professional development. All of the staff have an updated appraisal. Staff commented that they find supervisions supportive and it gives them the opportunities to discuss care practice and personal development. The manager, however, has not received regular supervision since the last interim inspection and his appraisal has not been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The majority of the staff have completed their national vocational qualification level 3. However, some of the staff have not completed this within the required timescale.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Inspection report children's home: SC481221 9 Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children's home: SC481221 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Priory Education Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Priory Group, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patricia Gregory

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Inspector(s)

Trish Palmer, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC481221 11 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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