Children's home run by Aspirations Specialist Residential Children’s Services Limited in Tewkesbury

Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 1 SC391739 Registered provider: Aspirations Specialist Residential Children’s 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 children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. A private provider operates the service.

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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 outstanding

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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: 15 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 The one child in placement is making good progress in all areas of his development.  The child receives excellent care and support from staff who know him well and Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 2 want the very best for him.  Partnership working is strong between the staff and the child’s school.  Staff listen to the child and consider his views.  There is a good range of activities available to help the child maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes going on holiday twice this year.  Excellent partnership working with professionals helps to keep the child safe.  The child understands the risk assessment process and he knows how he will be kept safe.  Staff are consistent in their behaviour management approach.  The registered manager is innovative in her approach and understands the home’s strengths well.  Staff are aspirational and keen to learn.  The registered manager supports staff to develop their skill base by using

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Key findings from this inspection

research-based practice.  Staff are recruited safely.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/07/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/08/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently one child living in this home. He has lived in this home for over two years. During this time, he has made good progress in all areas of his development. For example, he is now able to manage his feelings and emotions. As a direct result of this, he is beginning to make friendships. He has benefited from two holidays this year. While on holiday, he made a new friend and he hopes to meet up with his friend again. This has supported his sense of self-worth and has promoted his self-esteem. Intuitive staff tailor their care to meet the child’s individual needs. The child receives excellent care and support from staff who know him well and want the very best for him. The childenjoys spending time with staff. He told the inspector that the staff were ‘kind’ and that ‘they listen to me’. Partnership working is strong between the staff at the home and the child’s school. This has enabled him to attend and make progress. The head of the child’s school told the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

inspector, ‘The staff are very helpful, they’re very open and there is good communication. [The child] is very much more settled now. We have definitely seen progress.’ Because of the joined-up working with the school, the child is meeting his educational milestones. The child’s welfare really is at the heart of the staff practice. There is an abundance of lovely photos of him throughout the home, and his toys and belongings fill every room. The child takes pride in his home. He helps staff to complete safety checks and minor maintenance tasks. This demonstrates that he has invested in and feels proud of the home that he lives in. Staff listen to the child and consider his views. For example, the staff and child are looking to move to a new property. This is something that the child has been involved in, from looking for properties on the internet to thinking about other children who may live with him. His views are gained through everyday discussions and through attending

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

meetings. This enables the child to have a voice and to feel listened to. The child is supported to develop his independence skills at a pace that suits his needs and abilities. For example, he is able to make his bed and keep his room tidy. He helps staff to complete the weekly food shopping and he is taking a keen interest in some aspects of budgeting. These opportunities enable him to take on appropriate levels of responsibility to develop life skills for the future. There is a good range of activities available to help the child maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, he regularly goes swimming and to the local library. This helps to promote the child’s hobbies and interests.

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

Excellent partnership working with professionals helps to keep the child safe. Information sharing is at the heart of staff practice. Professionals speak highly of the Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 4 home’s ability to safeguard the child. A police officer told the inspector: ‘The overall impression that I got was one of a well-run home that is very much putting the needs of the resident child first. [The manager] was also keen to embrace the Police Resilient Care Homes project, with a very positive view of the Crime Decision Forums which are aimed at not unnecessarily criminalising looked after children.’ Staff are aware of the child’s vulnerabilities. This knowledge is captured and updated in the home’s records in a consistent manner. The child is very much part of this process. For example, the registered manager has devised a child-friendly risk assessment. As a result, the child understands the actions that staff will take to help keep him safe.

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

Staff are consistent in their approach and the child responds well to the clear boundaries that they provide. The staff use rewards and praise to promote positive behaviour. Skilled staff de-escalate challenging situations well. As a result, physical intervention is rarely used. There have been no incidents of the child going missing from care, or concerns surrounding child sexual exploitation, drug or alcohol misuse, or bullying. Staff have a good working knowledge around issues such as radicalisation and extremism. Staff undergo training, which ensures they are aware of the steps that must be taken to keep the child safe . The registered manager ensures that there is a thorough recruitment procedure. This helps to prevent unsuitable adults from working with young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since March 2017 and holds a level 5 qualification in leadership. She is innovative in her approach and understands the home’s strengths well. She is also receptive to new ideas and different ways of working. This ensures that the staff always meet the needs of the child to a high standard. Staff feel well supported by the manager. A member of staff told the inspector, ‘Before coming here I was the manager at [a retail store]. I hated it – that put me off the managers altogether, but the manager here explains to me why I am doing things. I feel more empowered. She made me realise I did have the skills. My knowledge in the six months since she has been here has really expanded.’ The manager ensures that all staff receive regular supervision. This provides the opportunity to review the child’s care as well as consider the team’s professional developmental needs. The manager is not afraid to challenge staff practice to help them

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

to develop their skills. Staff retention is good and morale is high. Staff are aspirational and keen to learn. To support this, the registered manager has developed individualised books for each member of staff to support their professional development. These provide clear guidance regarding roles and responsibilities, and a pathway for progression. A well-organised training matrix ensures that all staff stay up to date with current practice. They gain the skills required to support the child in their care. Staff complete training in areas such as understanding the risks of child sexual exploitation. This means Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 5 that staff are well trained to meet the individual needs of the child. Most staff are qualified. Those who are not yet qualified are within the regulatory period to obtain their qualification. The registered manager supports staff to develop their skill base by using research-

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

based practice. This has helped staff to develop their understanding, and in turn this helps to keep the child safe. The registered manager has ensured that the home meets the aims and objectives of the statement of purpose. This document is available to placing authorities and other stakeholders. It accurately reflects the current staffing arrangements and the services provided by the home. There are no requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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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 differences 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. 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 whom 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: SC391739 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspirations Specialist Residential Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit B/2, Elmbridge Court, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL3 1JZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christine Cameron

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Inspector

Louise Battersby, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC391739 7 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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