Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company

Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company

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Suffolk IP6 0LW

Inspection under the social care common inspection framework

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disabled children

The residential holiday scheme for disabled children provides a holiday for up to ten children, for two nights during school holidays or weekends. The scheme is run specifically for children who have complex needs, including learning and/or physical disabilities and/or related health needs.

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disabled children

Inspection dates: 16 to 20 September 2017

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requires improvement to be good

How well children, young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The residential holiday scheme for disabled children is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of previous inspection: 19 December 2016

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Key findings from this inspection

This residential holiday scheme for disabled children requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager is not exercising sufficiently effective leadership of the scheme.  Risk assessments and risk management plans are not effective or consistently followed by staff.  There are some shortfalls in health and safety arrangements.  Evidence is not available to demonstrate that recruitment and induction processes are conducted in accordance with good practice.  Not all employees have received regular supervision.  The registered person has not sent Ofsted a copy of the revised statement of purpose.  The children are provided with insufficient opportunities to access activities in the community.  The management of records is not good enough.

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Key findings from this inspection

The strengths of the residential holiday scheme for disabled children are:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children feel safe and look forward to their holidays.  The wishes and feelings of the children are understood, and are central to the holiday scheme.  The children build trusted relationships with the staff.  The children receive individualised care and support from well-motivated and caring staff.  The children develop improved confidence, social skills and independence.  Staff place the children’s well-being at the centre of their practice.  Staff manage difficult situations and behaviour skilfully. Some children begin to develop their skills in negotiating tricky social situations to prevent conflict.  The staff build good relationships with professionals, parents and children, all of whom value the service highly.

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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, Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI of a revision to the statement of purpose within 28 days of the date on which the revision is made. (Regulation 4(b)) 21/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the scheme is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children it accommodates. (Regulation 10(1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, undertake and implement suitably detailed risk assessments and risk management plans. Ensure that the plans reflect the particular risks identified in relation to each child and the location. Ensure that the premises are suitably clean, properly lit and fire doors are kept closed. 21/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive appropriate supervision and training. (Regulation 23(c)) 21/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no child accommodated by the scheme shares a bedroom with an adult unless they have a signed, written assessment demonstrating that the child would face a significant risk of harm without the presence or supervision of an adult. (Regulation 27(3)(4)(c)(ii)(iii)) 21/11/2017

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Recommendations

 Children are encouraged to participate in a range of positive activities that contribute to their physical and emotional health. (National Minimum Standard 5.1) In particular, provide children with opportunities to access activities in the community which might not otherwise be open to them.

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Recommendations

 The registered manager exercises effective leadership of the scheme’s staff and operation, such that the HSDC is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers sound, good-quality care that meets the individual needs of each child attending the scheme. (National Minimum Standard 8.5)

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Recommendations

 The registered person can demonstrate, including from written and electronic records, that it consistently follows good recruitment practice, and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance, in staff recruitment and carers selection. (National Minimum Standard 9.2)

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Recommendations

 The scheme has and implements a written policy that clarifies the purpose, format and content of information to be kept on the registered person’s files and information to be kept on the child’s files. Records may be kept in electronic form. Staff and volunteers understand the nature of records maintained and follow the scheme’s policy for the keeping and retention of files, managing confidential information, and access to files (including files removed from the premises). There is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed. (National Minimum Standard 15.1)

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improvement to be good

The children’s and their families’ experiences of the holiday scheme are good. However, shortfalls in help and protection and leadership and management mean that the service is not currently meeting the criteria of a good service. There are no concerns that the children’s welfare is not safeguarded.

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improvement to be good

The manager undertakes a detailed assessment of the child’s needs before they come on their first holiday. This guides the staff, so that they are able to meet the children’s particular needs effectively. Staffing deployment is planned to ensure that, whenever possible, the child has already met at least one member of the holiday staff team on their break. This reduces the child’s anxieties and helps them to settle. The children all really look forward to their breaks. One child said they look forward to coming ‘because of the fun stuff’. One parent said their child ‘has been getting so excited about coming she [the child] has been counting down the days’.

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improvement to be good

The children are able to participate in themed breaks which interest them, such as Harry Potter, cooking or cheerleading. However, opportunities to build on activities by using community resources are missed. Consequently, the children have limited opportunities to experience new and exciting things which they might not otherwise have access to. Nevertheless, the children really enjoy their holidays. They relish the opportunity to socialise, make new friends and meet up with old ones. This was evident in the screams of delight when two of the children saw each other for the first time in ‘ages’. The children enjoy the relaxed times chatting in their rooms and playing in parallel on their games consoles, replicating the day-to-day experiences of their peers. One parent said, ‘She [the child] hasn’t got any friends at home so it’s great to be with children of the same age. She calls it her sleepover.’

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improvement to be good

The children rate the holiday scheme as 10 out of 10. Their comments included:  ‘It’s amazing, everyone is really nice.’  ‘We really have fun. We get up late, and we get to have movie nights, ice cream and hot chocolate.’  ‘I’ve done it before, so it was a big yes when I was asked if I wanted to come back!’

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improvement to be good

The scheme provides chances for children who are of different ages, but who have similar abilities and interests, to interact. As a result, some really lovely nurturing relationships develop. For example, one child supported another, who was getting cross with a third child, to sensitively gain personal space. On another occasion, a child passed another non-verbal, distressed child their electronic communication pad, and asked them what was wrong. This demonstrates how children develop empathy and friendships, building resilience and self-esteem. The children are well supported by staff who are highly sensitive to their individual needs, personalities and interests. The children develop excellent relationships with the staff, who support them in a relaxed manner and who are led by the children’s desires, such as impromptu stories, dancing and braiding hair. The staff are highly skilled in managing incidents when the children’s particular beliefs have the potential

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improvement to be good

to conflict with those of others. The staff explain the potential conflict to the child in a way that respects their particular convictions while helping them to consider the needs of others. The staff are considerate of particular beliefs. For example, due to the gelatine contained in the marshmallows used in an activity, a child with strong animal-welfare principles was offered the alternative choice of making a stacking tower out of fruit. The staff value and respect the children’s personal wishes and feelings.

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improvement to be good

The children’s health needs are met effectively. Medication managements and administration are well organised.

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improvement to be good

The children enjoy the opportunity to stay away from home. Parents describe their children improving their communication and social skills and gaining greater confidence and independence. One parent said, ‘When she [the child] knows she’s coming she is desperate to pack, and goes around packing and unpacking, deciding what she wants to take.’

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improvement to be good

There are positive relationships with parents and partner professionals, who refer to a ‘brilliant’ service and consistently hold the scheme in high esteem. The parents’ comments included:

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improvement to be good

 ‘She loves to come and always says, “When can we go on the next one?”’  ‘He absolutely loves it and has been saying, “I want to go”.’  ‘He’s very happy and excited when he is coming here and is very happy to come home.’  ‘She [the child] talks about it after she comes home. She does a calendar countdown for when she is going.’  ‘I’m sure she would come every weekend if she could.’

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improvement to be good

These positive comments demonstrate that the children really appreciate and look forward to their holidays.

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improvement to be good

The children feel safe and well protected. Parents have established trusting relationships with the staff, and are confident that they effectively safeguard their children. One parent said, ‘The various staff I have dealt with over the years have been professional, caring and always ensure my son is safe and well cared for.’ Another parent said that they know their child feels safe because ‘every time we say about it, she says “yes please”.’ However, there are aspects of the planning and delivery of the holidays that, although they have not had a negative effect on the children’s enjoyment and sense of safety, do have the potential to undermine the children’s safety and well-being.

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improvement to be good

Risk assessments and management plans are ineffective. Some of the risk assessments show reductions in risk due to the management measures that are in place, but do not detail the measures taken to reduce risk. Risk assessments in respect of the building and for individual children state that the children should not cook in the kitchen, and that sharp knives will be securely stored. However, children undertake cooking activities in the kitchen and sharp knives are not stored securely.

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improvement to be good

There have been no incidents of missing from care. Risk assessments clearly state that the gates to the grounds must be locked at all times to prevent any child leaving the grounds unobserved. However, these gates remained open throughout the inspection. This is of particular concern, as many of the children have no road-safety awareness. The risk is further increased as the building is situated on a bend on a rural single-lane road with no pathway, along which staff say vehicles travel at fast speed.

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improvement to be good

The building is suitable for meeting the needs of the children, and is generally appropriately maintained. There are suitable fire prevention systems and each child has a personal emergency evacuation plan. However, a fire door to the lounge area was propped open throughout the inspection, and a smear of faeces on a bathroom wall remained the day after it was highlighted to the responsible individual. There is no working lighting in the car park area which, in addition to tripping hazards, reduces the ability of staff to see any child should they independently exit the building at night. These shortfalls have the potential to affect the health and safety of the children.

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improvement to be good

The staff are very good at sensitively addressing anxiety caused by changes in environment or children missing home. The staff recognise behaviour as a means of communication and understand that the children may become anxious and distressed at times. The staff are skilled in techniques such as redirection and distraction to help the children settle. Consequently, negative behaviour is unusual and no sanctions or physical interventions have been used. The clear boundaries and routines help the children to feel safe and secure. There is no bullying and some of the children are developing their skills to resolve and prevent conflict.

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improvement to be good

Discussions with staff and the manager indicated that robust staff vetting procedures are undertaken prior to staff working at the scheme. Even so, suitable records evidencing these checks were not available. However, it is clear that no staff work at the scheme without a check ensuring that they have no convictions which would render them unsuitable to work with children. The staff are very aware of the additional vulnerability of children who have disabilities, and are clear about their safeguarding duties and the procedures that are in place.

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improvement to be good

Staff, with the signed agreement of parents, usually share sleeping accommodation with children. However, there is no documented risk assessment identifying why this is required or a management plan identifying how any identified potential risks will be minimised.

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good

The suitably qualified and experienced registered manager has managed the scheme for some years. Some months ago, the manager’s role changed and she is currently managing two registered services. Consequently, the level of oversight and support she is able to give this scheme has declined greatly. This lower input is clear from the reduced quality of planning for individual breaks and the monitoring and oversight of the scheme. One example of the reduced management input is that staff, including the activity coordinator who plans individual breaks, have not received formal supervision for some months. Although the staff say that they continue to feel supported, they may not be receiving sufficient direction and problem-solving opportunities. Both the manager and the responsible individual recognise that the manager is overstretched. However, they have yet to discuss this and identify suitable alternative management plans.

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good

The planning of breaks is not sufficiently thought through. Equipment required to undertake basic activities had not been tested and basic items, such as spare batteries required to operate the games consoles, are not held. Consequently, some of the activities were unable to take place as planned. The staff’s calmness and use of initiative, which meant that alternative activities were provided, saved the day. As a result, although the children’s enjoyment was reduced, it did not affect them as much as it might have, particularly those children whose conditions mean that they are unsettled or distressed by the loss of planned activities.

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good

The staff enjoy working at the holiday scheme. This is apparent in their consistently upbeat interactions with the children. Children and their families continue to experience a good level of support, despite the shortfalls identified, because of the individual commitment of these staff.

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good

The children, their parents and partner agencies respect the staff. Parents consistently refer to a ‘brilliant’ service. One parent said, ‘It’s a great place with helpful and friendly staff.’ One child said, ‘I like it, the staff are nice.’ Another child said, ‘The staff are amazing.’ A service commissioner said, ‘We are always very impressed with the kind and caring nature of the team.’

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good

On occasion, the staff share successful behaviour management strategies with parents, which means that the close partnership working continues to support the child in the family home. The holiday scheme meets the individual needs of the children and the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose. However, the manager has not sent the updated statement of purpose to Ofsted.

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good

The children and their families are provided with clear information about the scheme and the various holidays available. They are therefore able to choose the holiday that suits them best. The scheme is inclusive, and ensures that all children, however complex their needs, are able to enjoy a holiday. One commissioner of services said, ‘They do try to develop their services in response to evidenced customer need, and have always driven those tweaks in their service delivery to ensure their services are meeting the needs of their kids.’

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good

Recording systems at the service, such as risk assessments and staff recruitment and induction records, need improvement in order for them to provide the information required. Children’s information is not always accurately maintained in a clear and accessible manner that is helpful to the child and staff. For example, children’s records were mixed up, and one contained two different dates of birth for the child. Not all of the files include a photograph of the child. Although this is not a breach of regulation, it does increase the potential risk of staff giving medication to the wrong child, and means that the service is unable to provide a photograph to the police should a child go missing.

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good

The manager has ambition for the service. However, her reduced input means that she does not have a full awareness of the areas which are beginning to slide. She and the provider have addressed some, but not all, of the recommendations from the last inspection and a number of new requirements and recommendations have been set. As a result of the shortfalls identified, leadership and management of the service are not yet good. There are, however, no shortfalls which have significantly reduced the children’s enjoyment of the services they receive, which they describe as ‘brilliant’ and ‘awesome’.

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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 the 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 residential holiday scheme for disabled children 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 Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013 and the national minimum standards.

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider: Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: Suffolk House, 7 Hydra Orion Court, Addison Way, Great Blakenham, Suffolk IP6 0LW Responsible individual: Mrs Anna Boulton Registered manager: Mrs Michelle Gill

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Email address: annaboulton@inroadsessex.co.uk

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Inspector

Joanna Heller: social care inspector 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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