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

Inspection report for children's home – monitoring visit: SC465940 1 SC465940

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Priory Education Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the Social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered for the accommodation and care of seven children and young people who have learning disabilities. Children and young people can also attend the organisation’s school, which is located near to the home.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit was conducted following a full inspection in July 2017, when the home was judged to be inadequate. One compliance notice was served in relation to the following:  Regulation 12: The protection of children. Some staff did not have child protection training. Leaders and managers failed to identify bruising of which the cause is unknown as a child protection concern. Leaders and managers failed to report child protection concerns as required. Staff did not have sufficient guidance about when to administer pro re nata medication. Leaders and managers did not monitor the use of this medication. The rear garden was not safe for children and staff. Three requirements were also set to address the shortfalls identified at the inspection. Leaders and managers have taken action to review the procedures that staff follow when they identify bruising on children and young people when there is no known

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This monitoring visit

cause. Staff now understand their role and responsibilities when they identity these child protection concerns. Since the last inspection, there have been no injuries with an unknown cause to children and young people. In addition, leaders and managers have amended the child protection recording systems to provide more detail about the concern. A new record has been introduced, to obtain greater detail and information on actions and outcomes. Since the last inspection, there have been no Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 2 child protection concerns to report. A further system has been introduced to enhance the monitoring and analysis of concerns. All staff have had training in child protection. Leaders and managers have conducted a review of the use of the administration of pro re nata medication (medication which is administered as needed). Generic guidance is now available for staff. Leaders and managers plan to use this guidance

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This monitoring visit

should children and young people require pro re nata medication in the future. A full maintenance programme is underway to improve the home. The rear garden is now safe for children, young people and staff to use. The action plan identifies further improvement work to the gardens. Redecoration has taken place in some areas of the home. There are more photographs of children and young people displayed on the walls. One child has a new bedroom and new bedroom furniture. Leaders and managers have deactivated the keypads on external doors during the day, which provides children and young people with more freedom to move around without having to rely on staff to open doors and the like. Leaders and managers have evaluated the use of other restrictions, such as a stair gate and television cabinets; these will remain under review. A case review has determined that the compliance notice is met. A further full

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This monitoring visit

inspection will take place to determine the progress against the requirements.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/07/2017 Full Inadequate 01/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 22/09/2016 Full Good 25/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

(vii) provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

(ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, improve the quality of the environment to ensure that it meets the needs of children and young people. Review the restrictions imposed on children and young people, including their access to the garden. 07/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

*12: The protection of children standard

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Requirement Due date

12(1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

(iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; 23/08/2017 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 4 (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

(vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

(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

(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child protection policy is followed when there is an unknown cause for bruises and injuries sustained by children. Ensure that child protection concerns are reported and communicated clearly to the relevant designated officers, social workers and parents when appropriate. Ensure that staff receive child protection training.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have appropriate guidance and training when children and young people are prescribed pro re nata medication. Ensure that the manager has systems to monitor the use of this medication, to ensure the welfare of children and young people.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the garden is a safe area for children and young people to spend time in. 13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

13(1) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential, and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

(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; 07/09/2017 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 5 (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that leaders and managers implement effective monitoring systems to review the quality of care and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Ensure that staff receive training that is essential to meet the needs of children and young people.

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 6

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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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Inspector

Nicola Lownds, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465940 7 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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