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

Inspection report for children's home: 1236278 1 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to three children. At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The provider states in its statement of purpose that it will meet the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders and complex associated difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 29 May 2020.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 15 December 2021

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

p.1

good

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

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/12/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/11/2018 Full Inadequate 10/10/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 1236278 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s day-to-day needs are met. The home environment feels homely and children’s bedrooms are personalised. Children have adequate privacy and personal space in the home, including their own bathrooms. There are nutritious home- cooked meals prepared by staff for children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s medical needs and educational needs are reviewed regularly. One child is receiving specialist help to support their psychological well-being. Both children are achieving in their learning. They are ambitious. One child is preparing for an interview for voluntary work in the community. There is regular liaison between the home and education provisions, which supports children’s needs effectively.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff spoke to the inspector about the children’s progress with pride. Children’s achievements are celebrated and their successes are evident in the home. There were lots of relaxed and fun interactions observed between managers, staff and children. Children enjoy a range of activities in and out of the home. However, children’s memory books are not updated with photos and memorabilia that reflect their experiences and achievements.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are captured in different ways and recorded. However, discussions and records did not clearly demonstrate how children’s views are acted on. As a result, one child told the inspector that they do not always feel listened to. Some records are written in first-person narrative from the child’s perspective. However, children have not always viewed these records or agreed to what has been written.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children enjoy time with significant family members. One family member told the inspector that they are happy with the care delivered in the home. They said that family time is supported and arranged well by the staff team.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the previous inspection, managers have driven consistent approaches across practice. When children are distressed, staff provide calm and measured interventions that reduce harm. This is informed by training. In addition, management oversight reviews care in the home effectively. As a result, incidents have reduced in frequency and severity.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff were confident and knowledgeable in discussion with the inspector about the care they deliver. This included providing clear and measured examples of strategies used at times of challenge. Staff demonstrate emotional resilience in challenging situations. The inspector found that debriefs for children are meaningful. Debriefs for staff are carried out but do not fully consider the emotional impact on adults involved in incidents. Inspection report for children's home: 1236278 4 The inspector found that risk management plans do not consistently reflect the skills demonstrated by staff in discussions. They do not provide clear and concise direction for staff. Different plans have been created that do not correlate effectively. In addition, records do not always use language that helps children’s understanding.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager has forged effective links with relevant agencies. This includes robust information-sharing processes and effective safety planning. For example, a multi-agency plan has been established to ensure that one child’s relationship with a peer is safe and healthy. For the other child, strong partnership working has significantly reduced placement instability.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since the previous inspection, no new staff have started at the home. No agency staff are used. The registered manager is informed about necessary recruitment processes. This will ensure that the risk of unsuitable people being recruited is reduced.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the previous inspection, leadership in the home has strengthened. This has been supported by the deputy manager developing in their role. Management tasks are completed in a timely way. In addition, managers have carefully considered previous inspection findings and have taken effective steps to improve experiences for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have a clear understanding of children’s needs, their progress and areas of support required. When children require additional support or services, the registered manager challenges partner agencies effectively.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management oversight is recorded across children’s records. Managers review care that is delivered in the home and identify areas for development. Following one care review, the registered manager developed new guidance for staff to ensure that physical contact with children is safe and healthy. This has been shared and agreed with relevant agencies.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment has not been successful. This means that current staff work additional hours to ensure that there is sufficient staffing in the home. However, the inspector did not find that staff shortages impact children’s care. Staff provided feedback to the inspector that indicates staff morale is good and that they feel supported by their managers.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. In addition, appraisals for all staff team members are carried out. This has helped staff to feel invested in the home and its development.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person provides challenge during visits to the home. Strengths and areas for development identified during this inspection are reflected in reports received by Ofsted. This means that the home is monitored effectively and will ensure that progress continues. Inspection report for children's home: 1236278 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to leaders and managers ensuring that care planning records are clear, concise and kept up to date. 9 August 2022

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s life-story records are collated in a way that is meaningful for children and are kept up to date. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.14)  The registered person should ensure that children who are consulted regularly about their care are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about children must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to them. In addition, the registered person should consider the appropriateness of recording children’s information using first- person narrative. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the

p.5

Recommendations

quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.5

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 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Hannah-Marie Bennetts

p.6

Inspector

Louise Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1236278 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.

p.6

Inspector

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7