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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 1 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 a subsidiary of a large national organisation. The home provides care for up to three children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it will meet the needs of children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 29 May 2020.

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Inspection date: 15 December 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 15 December 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children continue to live in the home. Both attend education and they enjoy a range of activities that support their interests. Memory books have been started for the children, which include photos and memorabilia that are collated in a meaningful way. Managers should ensure these continue to be updated so that children are supported to record their life experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care planning for the children is informed by partner agencies and professionals. This has supported staff to communicate effectively with one child in line with his specific needs. For example, a social story has been created and shared with him. This has helped the child to take on board important messages from staff. For another child, the registered manager has requested additional support from agencies due to an escalation of behaviours not previously seen. This joined-up approach aims to strengthen the child’s care and support placement stability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have been supported to build positive relationships with staff. As a result, there has been a reduction in incidents since the last inspection. However, the incidents that have occurred have been significant. Despite leaders and managers responding promptly and effectively to safeguard children after incidents have occurred, children have experienced harmful situations and staff have been injured during times when staff have found children’s behaviour difficult to manage.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Plans have been updated by the registered manager. These provide clear guidance to support staff in their responses to children. However, training and development identified by managers is yet to progress to ensure that a skilled and consistent approach is embedded across practice. Feedback obtained during this inspection indicates that staff do not always know what is expected of them. As a result, responses to children can be inconsistent.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records do not consistently evidence robust management oversight. For instance, a clear evaluation and analysis of incidents and the strategies used to respond to children is not always recorded. While frequency of supervision has increased, there is considerable variation in the quality of supervision recorded. This means that future learning to improve practice is limited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers described ‘a turbulent time’ for the home since the last inspection. However, leaders and staff are confident in the registered manager’s ability to lead the home. Managers are aware of the home’s strengths and the shortfalls to be addressed so that care provided to the children is improved. A period to implement and embed plans for change is now needed. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 3 Following this inspection, a repeated requirement under the leadership and management standard is made. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/11/2018 Full Inadequate 10/10/2018 Full Inadequate 04/07/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 5

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that there is sufficient oversight and review of practice that 25 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 6 considers the consistency and effectiveness of actions and strategies used by staff. This includes leaders and managers providing effective supervision and ensuring that debriefs are carried out.

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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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 7

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

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Hannah-Marie Bennetts

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Inspector

Louise Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1236278 8 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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