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

Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 1 SC449307 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 provides care for up to seven children. A large private organisation owns the home and provides education. The statement of purpose indicates that the home supports children with complex needs, which may include emotional and behavioural difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 10 April 2022.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 31/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/02/2020 Full Outstanding 20/11/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers have worked hard to provide a stable placement for the child living in the home. This includes supporting the child to access education and have family time at the weekends. Staff’s knowledge and understanding of the child is reflected in the child’s care plan, which the staff use effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff focus on teaching the child life skills. Staff support and encourage the child to achieve their goals and targets. This includes the child being able to cook their own meals, plan their own trips and keep their bedroom clean. As a result, the child is making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s wishes and feelings are captured throughout records and show how staff respect the child’s individuality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last full inspection, there have been changes in the group of children living in the home. This includes two children leaving in an unplanned way. Managers spoken to feel that these decisions were in the children’s best interests. However, these moves did not trigger a statutory review.

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

Staff understand how to keep the child safe and have received safeguarding training.

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

Staff manage the child’s behaviour well. This includes managers taking time to talk with the child and the staff to reflect on what has happened and to look at ways of preventing any reoccurrence. As a result, the child is helped to understand rules and boundaries.

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

Staff help the child to take age-appropriate risks. For example, staff have been effective in helping the child to risk assess their own activities and to spend time away from the home with friends. This approach is supported by lots of meaningful conversations to help the child understand what the risks are and how to deal with them. As a result, the child is learning to be more independent.

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

Managers continue to ensure that staff are safe and suitably vetted to care for children. This includes ensuring that all the relevant pre-employment checks are carried out. When applicants are new to a caring role, the interview process is detailed and includes the use of scenarios to assess their skills and knowledge. Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last full inspection, there have been significant changes in the management arrangements. The newly appointed home manager is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear vision for the home that focuses on outcomes for children. This includes ensuring that staff have the skills and experience for working with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior managers are actively recruiting new staff to fill the current vacancies and to address the high turnover of staff over the past year.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The performance management arrangements are good. When new staff start, the managers provide a comprehensive induction, particularly in relation to health and safety. Staff benefit from regular good-quality supervision. This includes the routine setting and reviewing of development goals and targets. All mandatory training is up to date and staff receive bespoke training to reflect children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have a wide range of systems in place to monitor the quality of care provided. There is also a clear reporting structure in place which enables senior managers to maintain oversight and scrutiny. The information gathered from these systems, including visits from the independent visitor, is used effectively to identify areas for improvement. Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 5

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Recommendation

 Significant changes to a looked after child’s care, such as a change of placement, should only take place following a statutory review of their care plan, chaired by their independent reviewing officer. The child should be actively involved in these important meetings and supported to express their views, wishes and feelings. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.10)

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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: SC449307 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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Inspectors

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Mark Dawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC449307 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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