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 Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company and is registered for up to five children. The home offers 38- and 52-week placements for children who have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2018.

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Inspection date: 11 December 2019

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have made progress since the last inspection. They have built good relationships with the staff, who understand their individual needs. Since the last inspection, one child has been able to attend education full time after previously being excluded. Another child has been supported to the extent that he is now able to move to a foster family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have benefited from having an opportunity to go on holiday to Center Parcs. They have enjoyed a wide variety of activities in the community. The staff source local clubs that support the children’s interests and hobbies. These opportunities have provided the children with new and meaningful experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management plans are implemented effectively. There is a focus on proactive strategies, including incentive programmes that reinforce alternative behaviours. The staff have only used one sanction, which was proportionate. No physical interventions have been used since the last inspection. The approaches that the staff use are helping children to change their behaviour and improve their relationships with others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from external professionals is strong. They see the progress that children make and the difference that the home makes to their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has addressed four out of the five requirements raised at the last inspection. An internal monitoring review was submitted within the correct timescale and is suitably reflective. Regular health and safety checks and monitoring now take place regularly. The home’s statement of purpose has been updated and submitted to Ofsted in line with the required timescales. Arrangements for the storage of medication have now improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team has addressed four recommendations since the last inspection. The damage to the home has been repaired and communal areas and bedrooms are decorated to a high standard. The children’s guide has been updated to reflect current staffing arrangements and contact details. The home’s location assessment now includes nearby hazards with suitable controls to mitigate them. All staff now receive supervisions regularly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has failed to action one requirement from the last inspection. The use of door alarms in children’s bedrooms has not been reviewed or considered. The lack of clearly documented review of the alarms means that the manager cannot ensure that their use is proportionate and justified. The senior management team failed to follow the home’s safeguarding policies and Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 3 procedures when an allegation was made against a member of staff. The investigation was not concluded swiftly. Although the investigating manager sent letters to the child outlining timescales for actions and progress, these timescales were not met. There was no written risk assessment to set safeguards for the child and the member of staff. These delays and failures to follow safeguarding procedures had the potential to compromise the child’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A senior manager failed to notify Ofsted of the allegation against a staff member. This affects Ofsted’s capacity to monitor safeguarding arrangements and the welfare of children effectively.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2019 Full Good 09/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/04/2017 Full Good 14/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(vi)(vii)) 10/01/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than 03/02/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 4 necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24(1)(d)) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 06/01/2020

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Information about this inspection

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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’.

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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: Fifth Floor, 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 5 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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