Children's Home run by Jasper Education and Support Services Limited in Essex

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 1 Registered provider: Jasper Education and Support Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a small private organisation. The home provides care and therapeutic services for up to six children who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

There were four children living at the home at the time of this inspection. Children’s moves from the home have been anticipated and agreed. Children who move to the home have a thorough assessment process during the initial six weeks to ensure that the home is right for them. Children’s views are widely explored throughout this process.

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The care of children

Children are making progress with their education. One child attends a full-time college placement after several years of not being in education. The manager works hard to advocate for children and find suitable schools. The manager challenges local authorities and commissioners to ensure that they actively search for alternative education provisions.

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The care of children

Children are active; they enjoy trips out and holidays. One child is planning a camping trip for the first time. Staff encourage children to forge positive and meaningful relationships with friends outside the home. Staff respectfully help children to maintain their family relationships.

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The care of children

Children said that they get along well with staff. They enjoy their company and appreciate the warmth and security that they provide. Staff talk about children with genuine compassion, and aspire for them to do well.

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The care of children

There is a strong focus on helping children to improve their health. The in-house therapist provides specialist support and clinical oversight of children’s well-being.

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The safety of children

The identification and assessment of risks to children have improved. Care plans clearly direct staff to anticipate and mitigate risks to children. The number of missing-from-care incidents and the use of restrictive physical interventions has declined.

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The safety of children

The manager has a new approach to positive behaviour management, using meaningful rewards and natural consequences. Children have responded well to this approach and find it fair and helpful. Conflict with staff has significantly reduced as a result.

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The safety of children

Staff know children’s risks very well and monitor their safety proportionally. This approach allows for children’s independence and growth. As a result, children have made progress to extend their free time and get part-time jobs for the first time. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 3 When children have access to internet-enabled devices, the risks are explored and the expectations of safe use are made clear. Consent for the use of camera surveillance on the outside of the building for safety and security purposes has been gained from an appropriate adult.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The newly appointed manager has had a positive impact on the home. Staff feel very well supported. Staff morale and team working have significantly improved. The home’s leadership team, including the therapist, work closely together to deliver and embed a new therapeutic model of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

All the previous requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. The manager and responsible individual have worked closely together to deliver an improvement plan and make changes to the way that the home is run. They welcome the views of professionals, and use the independent person’s visits to reflect on progress. The independent person has visited the home each month as required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Under the leadership of the manager, there has been a significant reduction in serious incidents. This has been partly due to an improved approach to the matching and assessing of children moving in to the home. The manager is very clear on the assessment of new children, and priorities the stability of the existing children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are now well trained and confident to support children’s needs under the guidance of the manager. Staff said that recent improvements mean that they look forward to coming to work and there is less conflict with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A recruitment drive is underway following a review of pay and conditions for staff. This has helped to recruit and retain the right calibre of staff. The recruitment process includes suitability checks on agency staff. There are enough staff on duty to keep children safe and meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff complete regular training that is useful and beneficial to their roles. Good training has given the staff the confidence to support children well and keep them safe. Records show that all staff training is up to date. The in-house therapist provides staff with guidance and expertise in providing therapeutic support for children with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is in need of some minor repairs and redecoration for the wear and tear. The manager has identified these and some work is underway, although the progress is slow. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/11/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/01/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well maintained. In particular, ensure that the programme of redecoration and refurbishment is completed without delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Jasper Education and Support Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Jasper Education and Support Service Limited, 303 Goring Road, Goring-by-sea, Worthing BN12 4NX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Catherine Russell

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Inspector

Jamie Cousins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 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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