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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 1 Registered provider: Jasper Education and Support Services Limited Full inspection 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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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 2

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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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Five children have lived at the home during this inspection period. One child had a planned move to a semi-independent placement. One child moved to a solo placement in another home owned by the company. At the time of inspection, three children lived at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are warm, friendly, and build positive relationships with children. One child said that this was the ‘best home’ they had lived in. The child spoke positively about the staff team, and the support they received. Strong relationships between staff and children help children to feel cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to express their wishes and feelings. Children are offered a weekly meeting, and if they do not want to take part, they are given the opportunity to write down their views and feelings. This practice helps children to feel listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support children to develop their independence skills and prepare for adult life. One child, who is moving to semi-independent living, has worked on a variety of tasks about how to live alone. These tasks include a wide range of topics, such as how to manage their mental health, budget, recycle and buy furniture. Another child is being supported to build tasks that are suited to his needs. Having an individualised approach to building skills for the future offers children a greater chance of succeeding as adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children need specialist help, this is sourced for them. The staff work alongside other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for children. A medical professional said that the support that the home offered the child was ‘more than most providers do’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have dogs that visit the home, and the children very much enjoy these visits. Children regularly visit horses with the home’s therapist. All the children enjoy spending time with the animals, and this is having a positive effect on them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to see their families when appropriate. Two children have increased the number of visits they have with their families. There are now long- term plans for both children to move closer to their families. Helping to repair family relationships widens children’s networks for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered a range of positive experiences and have an activity budget to spend each week. Children also go out to eat once week, and this is an opportunity for staff to build positive relationships with children. Children have the opportunity to talk about things that are important to them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 4 Some areas of the home are comfortable, spacious and homely. Work is being completed to bring the rest of the home up to the same standard. However, this is taking some time. It is important to finish these works without delay so that children can feel proud of all areas of the home.

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

The staff use a trauma-informed approach that helps them to understand children’s behaviour and use strategies that help and protect children.

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

The home employs a trauma therapist, who offers regular time to children to help them to address any past trauma. The therapist also offers support and training to the staff team so that everyone can offer consistent and informed care.

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

One child has spent a significant amount of time in hospital to support their mental health challenges. The staff supported this child throughout their time in hospital, and regularly travelled a significant distance to see them. The managers and staff advocated for the child, and challenged the local authority plans to ensure that the child had a planned transition. The child is back at the home and is doing well. The local authority has agreed a transition plan, and the staff are supporting the child to move on. Having an appropriate ending for this child is very important for their mental health. The staff fully understood this, and advocated strongly for the child.

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

There has been a significant decrease in missing-from-home incidents, with only one episode since the last inspection. The staff have not used physical interventions with any of the children. The therapist helps to upskill staff to use other de-escalation approaches. This is improved practice for the staff, and the reduction in both areas suggest that children feel safe at the home.

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

The recruitment checks are thorough, with a comprehensive check list. This helps to ensure that unsuitable people do not work at the home.

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

At times, children experience high levels of distress. Plans are clear and the support offered to these children is appropriate and supportive. There have been two serious incidents that Ofsted should have been notified of to ensure adequate oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is established and suitably qualified. She is highly motivated to make continuous improvements to the home. This positive role modelling encourages good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of what is working well and what needs to be improved. She has a monthly meeting with the responsible individual, and they develop a targeted action plan. This helps to monitor the service and make changes when needed. The local police complimented the manager and the progress that she has made with the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 5 The staff work well together. They receive relevant training to work therapeutically with children. This has empowered them to be able to make decisions that are in the children’s best interests. Staff show a good understanding of children’s needs, and this is further developed in team meetings and daily debriefs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team includes a trauma-informed therapist. All staff, including agency staff, have regular supervision from either the manager or the therapist. Staff give examples of how this has improved their practice and understanding of how to work with children who have experienced trauma. This is also a space where staff can receive support for their own well-being. Having an emotionally healthy staff team enables them to be available for the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The recruitment process is ongoing. Since the last full inspection, 12 new members of staff have been appointed. The successful completion of probation enables staff to progress to other roles. Feedback from the staff shows that they are motivated to provide high-quality care and a homely and nurturing environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have considered the best ways to recruit and retain staff. There has been a salary increase this year and an offer of well-being days. Leaders and managers are committed to recruiting good staff who can offer longevity to children. When agency staff are used, the manager ensures that they are always the same staff to provide consistent care to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well maintained. In particular, they should 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) This recommendation is restated.  The registered person should notify Ofsted if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home that the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: 2546196 7

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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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Inspectors

Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Eileen Bultitude, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2546196 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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