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

Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 1 SC062223 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

This privately run home provides care for up to five children who have complex needs, which may include social and emotional difficulties, autism spectrum disorder and complex associated difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a school on the same site as the children’s home. This is registered separately with Ofsted. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2019. They are appropriately experienced and qualified.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/08/2022 Full Good 08/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has been welcomed to the home, in a planned move from another home within the organisation. There are currently three children living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making age-appropriate progress. This includes achievements in their physical, emotional, social and educational development. Children’s progress is tracked, monitored and evaluated effectively by the manager. Each child is aware of what their targets for improvement are and this helps them understand how staff are supporting them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff know the children well. Staff are passionate about building positive and meaningful relationships with children. Staff create individualised care plans for each child which are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. When needed, staff complete additional training to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of each child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are encouraged to find their own individual interests and hobbies. One child attends police cadets, which has developed his social skills. The same child went on a residential trip and has another booked for the summer. Another child has recently joined a football club and enjoys trips to the ‘geek retreat’. The oldest child in the home has started having driving lessons.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All three children are in education. Two attend full-time secondary education and the third attends college. One child struggles with their attendance, but despite this they are on track to pass their chosen course this year. The staff ensure that the children receive additional learning through direct sessions that are creative and cover topics that relate to the community and wider society. This supports the children to have a better understanding of the world, including culture and diversity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and well maintained throughout. The children have bedrooms that are individually personalised and updated as their interests change. The children also benefit from en-suite bathrooms, which give them additional privacy and an opportunity to develop life skills in keeping them clean. There are personal touches throughout the home, with photos and pictures the children have created.

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

Children are safe. This is because there is a dedicated staff team who prioritise and promote the safety and well-being of children. The staff have good knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures in place to promote all aspects of safeguarding. This is further supported by the positive relationships with partner agencies and other professionals to ensure that children are safe. Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 4 The staff manage risk well and have worked hard with one child to respond to risks associated with criminal exploitation. The staff have educated themselves on the associated risk for this child and have worked closely with the police to expand their knowledge. Staff use their knowledge to help educate the child about the associated risks and do this creatively by exploring different resources that are relevant to the child.

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

Children are supported with their emotions. Staff help children make sense of their feelings and find ways to respond to their changing behaviours. The progress made by one child means that they no longer need medication to help manage their emotional regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is skilled, experienced and knowledgeable. He is passionate about the care provided to the children in the home and the progress they make. He models child-focused practice for his staff, who share the same ambitious work ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the registered manager. This is because there is a shared level of value and respect between managers and the staff team. The registered manager knows his staff well and he is supportive of them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has comprehensive monitoring systems in place. This means that he has good oversight of the home. The registered manager has also been creative in developing additional ways to track progress for the home and for the children. He regularly meets with each child and, in a child-friendly way, he discusses the progress they have made. This direct approach has helped the registered manager develop positive relationships with the children, who also speak highly of him.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has good working relationships with other professionals; however, he is not afraid to challenge and will advocate for children as and when required. There is a genuine commitment to each child to ensure that they are seen and heard and have equal opportunities in life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment is in place. Two new staff have started since the last inspection and all appropriate checks have been completed. New staff receive a comprehensive induction which covers mandatory and additional training. The registered manager ensures that all new staff have extra time in their induction so that they fully understand the needs of each child and the home. Staff receive regular individual and group supervision that is of good quality and supportive of their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager acknowledges one area for development, with staff not always reading and signing documents. A requirement has been raised. Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that children’s files are up to date and reports are completed thoroughly, signed and dated. 9 June 2023

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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: SC062223 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

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC062223 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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