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

Inspection report for children's home: SC472102 1 SC472102 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 owned and operated by a national provider. The home is registered to provide care for up to five children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home shares the site with one other children’s home and two schools, also owned and run by the same organisation. The children from this home may attend one of the schools. The inspector only inspected the social care provision at these schools.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 8 December 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: SC472102 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2021 Full Good 14/05/2019 Full Good 18/07/2018 Full Good 23/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC472102 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. The home is due to close imminently. The manager and staff have supported the children to prepare to move to their new homes. This has been done in a sensitive and child-centred way, causing as little disruption and upset to the children as possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have made progress in all areas of their lives. Staff know the children well and have helped the children to manage their emotions and behaviours. Staff spend time with the children, exploring their feelings and helping them to develop strategies to manage their emotions. This has been effective and improved the children’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend school and communicate well with the school staff to promote continuity of care. Children make progress in their education and are achieving well academically, socially and emotionally.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are met. Children attend all primary healthcare appointments and seek additional health support services if needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Direct work with children has been successful in helping the children understand important information and topics, including equality and diversity and bullying. This has supported the children to make better informed choices about their actions and behaviours. Sessions also help children to set targets and make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff involve children in their care planning. All paperwork relating to the children’s care is written in a child-friendly format that is easy for children to understand. Staff talk to the children about care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are valued and documented well. Therefore, children feel valued and trust that staff will promote their views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to enjoy and achieve. Children are involved in activities that are tailored to their individual needs, interests and hobbies. Children experience a wide variety of activities that enhance their life experiences.

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

The manager and staff keep children safe. This is because there is a strong safeguarding culture and ethos in the home. The manager responds quickly to any potential safeguarding concerns. She liaises with all professionals to ensure that there is a multi-agency approach. The manager challenges practice that is not good enough and does not minimise any potential safeguarding concerns. Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, and the manager discusses safeguarding practices at every opportunity. Inspection report for children's home: SC472102 4 The manager responds immediately to any allegations made. She supports children and staff effectively and quickly identifies any learning needs. Recommendations from learning reviews are actioned and implemented to improve future practice.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. On the one occasion when a child went missing from home, the manager and staff were responsive and took effective action to ensure the child returned home safely.

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

Staff are equipped and skilled to manage self-harm risks. They have clear safety plans in place that are devised in conjunction with other professionals. This means that children are provided with the right care and their individual needs are supported to reduce risks.

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

Staff do not restrain children to manage their behaviour. This is because staff understand the children’s needs well and use effective support strategies to de- escalate behaviour. Children feel safe and secure. They trust that staff will keep them safe and support them when they are feeling upset or frustrated.

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

The manager is responsive to any medication errors. She ensures that staff are competent to administer medication and are trained to meet the children’s medical needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child-centred in her practice and effectively leads a dedicated team to provide excellent care to children. Staff are positive and passionate about the care children receive and have shown an unwavering commitment to the children despite the imminent closure of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has had a positive impact on the care provided to children since working in the home. She has embedded a positive staff practice by improving the staff’s knowledge and skills. Staff have regular supervision and attend team meetings. The manager has started to develop research-informed practices to ensure that staff have a full understanding of the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes partnership working to ensure that children receive a consistent approach to care and that the children’s views are heard. She advocates on behalf of children and challenges professionals if she has concerns about their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals are positive about the care children receive. Social workers and families are kept fully informed about the children’s experiences and recognise the progress children make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring and review systems in place. This helps her to understand the quality of care in the home and identify patterns and trends. As a result, the manager is responsive and proactive in her decision-making. Inspection report for children's home: SC472102 5

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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: SC472102 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: Michelle Garstang

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC472102 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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