Children's Home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in West Berkshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 1 SC486479 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children. The statement of purpose indicates that children cared for have complex needs, which may include autism spectrum disorders and complex associated difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted registered the manager in September 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 2 November 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/05/2019 Full Good 02/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, children have benefited from a period of stability. No children have moved out. One new child has moved in. This was a well-planned move that enabled the child to quickly settle in and to have no disruption to their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff treat children with dignity and respect and are sensitive to their individual needs. Children are supported to explore their identity, try new foods, celebrate their culture and to engage in hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Shortages in staffing and disrupted timetables in the provider’s school have created an opportunity for staff at the home to focus on children’s independence skills. As a result, all children have made progress in their self-care and independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work hard to enable children to stay in touch with people who are important to them. Families are positive about the care and support their children receive. Staff are accommodating to families’ wishes and try hard to meet all requests. This positive support has been instrumental in children re-establishing and maintaining significant relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to prepare for their next steps, whether this is going to college or moving to a semi-independent setting. These foundations allow children to talk positively about their futures.

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

Staff are skilled at responding to changes in children’s behaviour. When children become unsettled, staff respond sensitively and in line with the child’s care plan. Plans are detailed and recognise known triggers. Children’s families can be involved in the creation of these plans. However, sometimes plans lack details of high-risk areas in the home where children should not be physically held. This means that staff are not clear on the locations where it is unsafe to carry out a physical restraint.

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

Staff have a good knowledge of the children. For example, before the latest child moved in, staff received bespoke training to help them to safely manage the child’s complex medical condition. Staff commented on how this made them feel better equipped to meet the child’s needs.

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

When a concern about staff practice is raised, leaders quickly report the concerns and involve all relevant agencies. Any learning is embedded and responses are fast and effective. Identified actions are put in place and any learning is considered. Children are informed of outcomes when appropriate and are consulted on their views. This makes children feel valued. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 4 The home is well maintained and provides a positive environment for children to thrive in. Regular risk assessment and monitoring helps to identify issues. When defects such as a broken door lock are detected, the on-site maintenance person can quickly rectify any faults..

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a committed and supportive registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recently, several senior leaders, including the responsible individual, have had extended time away from the home. Despite these absences, there has been no impact on the care of children. This is because the manager is inspiring and motivates his team to ensure that children’s needs are met. A new consultancy post has been introduced to support the manager. It is too early to assess the impact of this new role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has positive relationships with external agencies. When services fail to provide the right support for children, the manager is quick to escalate these concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervisions. Supervisors show real care and compassion for their team and use scenarios to help embed learning and ensure that children are at the forefront of staff minds. In return, staff feel valued and this influences the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are mostly well trained. Staff have completed all mandatory training, including in safeguarding. However, the manager has not taken the opportunity to make the most of the provider’s wider therapy team. A team of therapists and psychologists are available to offer staff the opportunity to learn more about sensory plans and new approaches, but this has not yet been acted on.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff employed at the home are appropriately vetted. Recruitment records show that the provider’s recruitment team thoroughly checks staff have the right skills and experience before they start their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that staff make use of the provider’s wider therapy team. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  In a restraint situation, staff should use their professional judgement, supported by their knowledge of each child’s risk assessment, an understanding of the needs of the child (as set out in their relevant plans) and an understanding of the risks the child faces. This relates to ensuring that children’s behaviour plans are clear about the environmental risks when restraint is used. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 48, paragraph 9.53)

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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: SC486479 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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Inspector

Matt Nicholls, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC486479 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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Inspector

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