Children's home run by Aspris Children’s Service in Hammersmith and Fulham

Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 1 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a national organisation. The home provides care and support for up to five children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Inspection date: 22 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 22 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There was no registered manager at the home between May 2021 and October 2021. During this time, the home was being managed and overseen by the responsible individual, who was at the home for 25 hours per week. In October 2021, a new manager was appointed. However, they left the home in February 2022. The current manager of the home was appointed in February 2022 and is in the process of submitting her application to register with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff spoke positively about the new management team and how it has supported them to work together to meet the children’s needs. Staff say that they now feel supported by managers and have confidence in their judgement and guidance on the children’s care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met all four requirements raised at the last inspection. As a result, staff have a better understanding of the children’s needs, which has improved the quality of care that children receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection. Three children have moved on since the last inspection, and one child is moving to the home soon. Children’s moves to the home are well planned. Children can visit the home and personalise their bedrooms before they move in. Children who move on are supported well by staff, who involve children in their plans when possible. As a result, children feel listened to and valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any incidents of children going missing from the home, bullying or physical interventions at the home since the last inspection. An allegation made by a child against a member of staff was managed swiftly, and relevant professionals were informed. Staff keep children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff spoke about the progress that the child who lives at the home has made. The child has been able to interact with staff more confidently, and he is more positive about being at the home. The child’s advocate spoke about the child engaging with her well and the positive relationships that the child has with staff at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support children’s health needs and encourage them to attend health appointments. For example, the child living at the home has been encouraged to speak with the home’s therapist, and staff continue to support him to attend appointments with a children’s mental health service. Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 3 Staff advocate for children well. Staff regularly meet with professionals to share information about children’s needs and share concerns about their care. For example, although the child at the home is accessing tutoring at the home, staff have raised concerns about an education provision not being identified for him and the need for the child to be informed of their care plan. Staff have accessed an independent advocate for the child at the home. Consequently, the child can express his views to an independent person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff said that they benefit from regular supervisions. Staff can have open discussions with managers to seek advice and share concerns about children. This helps staff to develop their understanding of children’s needs and how to support them. As a result, the quality of care that children receive has improved and children are kept safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have identified training for staff to provide them with the skills required to meet children’s individual needs. Staff spoke about accessing self-harm training, understanding autism spectrum disorder and training to understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Staff can also seek advice from the home’s therapist to further develop their understanding of the children’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The risk assessments for children are clear and provide strategies for staff to respond to incidents appropriately. Staff review risk assessments regularly, and they are updated by the manager when necessary. As a result, staff respond consistently to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have consulted well with the police to ensure that current information is included in the home’s location risk assessment. The location risk assessment is now reviewed annually and before a child moves into the home. As a result, the risks to children are assessed and children are kept safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have improved their oversight of the quality of care that children receive and the accuracy of children’s records. All incidents are recorded on a system that alerts managers, ensuring that management oversight is swift. Discussions are held with staff to reflect on incidents. Staff encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings about incidents that happen at the home. Consequently, the strategies used to support children during times of upset are effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use certificates and gifts to reward positive behaviour, and they challenge children when their behaviour is harmful. Staff speak with children to give them the opportunity to share how they are feeling and to support them to understand and take responsibility for their behaviour. As a result, staff better understand why children behave in a certain way. Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/09/2018 Full Good 10/08/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 31/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 5

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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: 1234621 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Wallace

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Inspector

Laraine Edmondson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1234621 7 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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