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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1241785 1

p.1

Priory Education Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and run by an education specialist service provider. It is registered to care for up to 11 children with autism spectrum disorder and associated difficulties. The home is located within the provider’s school campus, which the children currently living at the home attend.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection was undertaken to assess how the home is being managed in the temporary absence of the registered manager. In accordance with Ofsted guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this inspection was undertaken remotely. Inspectors held telephone discussions with the responsible individual, deputy managers and staff. Social workers provided their views via email. Relevant documents were emailed to the inspectors and these were considered. Inspectors also had a virtual tour of the building.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This home was last inspected on 22 January 2020. That was an interim inspection and the home was judged as sustained effectiveness. One requirement and two recommendations were made in relation to the quality of the premises, activities on offer to children and whistle-blowing procedures. These were deemed to be met at this inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children are offered a wide variety of activities. At times, this has been difficult to maintain during COVID-19 restrictions. Staff have shown creativity in ensuring that children have choices and can experience and enjoy activities such as home cinema nights and ‘fakeaways’. Improvements have been made to the garden to create a beach-themed area and include a new, large trampoline.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Leaders have made significant progress in improving the quality of the living environment. They have remedied the particular concerns identified at the last inspection. Some areas of the home still require attention, due to general wear and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1241785 2 tear. These areas are yet to be remedied, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 and because of the way the space is being used for children currently receiving home education. The replacement of flooring and the painting of certain areas are planned to be undertaken as soon as is practicable. Improvements to the environment include a chart where children can place their photograph into different-coloured spaces to help them express their feelings. The prominent position of this display in the home allows staff and children to indicate how they are feeling, and for others to know their wishes and feelings.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Through monitoring, leaders have recognised that changes to children’s plans have not been consistently shared with, and understood by, staff. New systems have been put in place to ensure that staff are aware of changes, including a requirement for their signature to confirm that they have read and understood any updates to children’s plans. Staff commented on how well this system is working, as it improves consistency for children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Incident reports indicate that there is appropriate oversight by leaders and managers. However, there is a degree of inconsistency in how records are completed and assessed. Reports are detailed, but the quality of recording in supporting review documents varies. This does not allow leaders to fully review effectiveness of interventions to support children in times of crisis and may mean that opportunities to learn from incidents are missed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Child protection and safeguarding have been managed effectively. Leaders have taken appropriate steps to investigate, report and follow up any concerns. They work with external agencies effectively to manage safeguarding concerns.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Overall, there has been an increase in the frequency of supervision for all staff. The impact of COVID-19 has meant that staff are not always able to have supervision as planned. Despite this, efforts have been made to ensure that support for staff is consistent and senior staff have been trained to increase capacity to provide supervision. New staff confirm that they benefit from regular supervision and sound levels of informal support from managers, particularly through their induction period. The narrative-style template used for supervision does not capture gaps in knowledge or skills effectively, or show progress against staff targets.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/07/2019 Full Good 19/02/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/07/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1241785 3

p.2

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records of incidents requiring physical intervention are recorded clearly. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that all staff receive supervision that allows them to reflect on their practice, and that records show monitoring of staff progress. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Priory Education Services Limited

p.3

Children’s home details

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

p.3

Inspectors

Jennie Christopher, social care inspector Mark Newington, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1241785 4 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.

p.3

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4