Children's Home run by Priory Education Services Limited in Hampshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 1 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home. It provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties, where associated moderate learning difficulties and low risk mental health concerns may be contributors. There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is on the same site as a school and another children’s home which are part of the same organisation. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site. The other children’s home on the same site was not part of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children are poor and they are not making progress.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: 5 September 2023

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/09/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Good 08/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 3

p.2

inadequate

There are significant failings in the leadership and management of the home that have a detrimental impact on children’s well-being and safety along with their overall experiences and progress. As a result, children do not reach their full potential.

p.3

inadequate

There is a lack of routine and boundaries for children. For example, prior to moving into the home one child spent most of their time in their bedroom accessing the internet. Since moving into the home this pattern has continued. A lack of bedtime routine means that the child goes to bed in the early hours of the morning and they get up the following afternoon. The child has unlimited and unchecked online access during this time. Staff lack strategies and guidance to address the situation which has continued for several months.

p.3

inadequate

Children’s educational progress is inconsistent. One child attends school regularly and is making some progress. However, two children are not in full time education and there is a lack of coherent planning to improve this. One child accesses education for one hour a day in the home. This is because there is an unresolved issue regarding the funding of an educational placement. Leaders have not advocated effectively for this child to resolve the situation.

p.3

inadequate

There are several pets that live in the home. These include rabbits, cats and a tortoise. However, the premises are not conducive to a nurturing or homely environment. This is because there is a strong smell of cat urine throughout the home. There is no direction or urgency from leaders to address this.

p.3

inadequate

Some of the children are aware of the current pressures on the staff team due to the present situation with the leadership and management of the home. Consequently, one child takes it upon themselves to ‘help out more’ in an attempt to alleviate staff pressure. This places an unnecessary burden on children.

p.3

inadequate

Despite the shortfalls, children are positive about some aspects of living in the home. They take part in various activities that help them to bond as a group. For example, they have been go-karting, enjoy cooking sessions and share mealtimes. Children are supported by staff to personalise their bedrooms and choose their own furniture. However, there are times when children are unable to engage in activities due to staffing levels.

p.3

inadequate

Children and staff, in the main, have positive relationships with each other. Children talk to staff about their concerns. There are several ways that children can express their views and wishes. However, these are not always consistent. For instance, house meetings do not happen routinely. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 4

p.3

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

There are poor arrangements in place to manage risks to children. This is because staff do not always follow children’s risk management plans or know how to update them. Furthermore, the lack of leadership and management oversight of the safeguarding practice in the home is weak.

p.4

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

One child has a known risk around online safety. The child’s risk management plans state that staff should monitor the child’s online activity and that regular checks should be carried out to ensure that the child is safe online. However, this is not implemented. Consequently, the child has unlimited and unchecked access to the internet. This leaves the child vulnerable and at risk of harm online.

p.4

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

A fire has occurred at the home. This was caused by electronic equipment that had been bought into the home by a staff member. When the fire occurred the evacuation procedure failed, and one child used fire safety equipment to put the fire out. During the incident, one fire extinguisher was not accessible, so the child looked for other equipment. This placed not only the child who fought the fire, but all of those who were in the premises at risk.

p.4

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

The fire has had a profound impact on the well-being of one of the children. However, the child’s relevant plans were not updated following the fire. Consequently, this led to a delay in discussion and implementation of therapeutic support for the child.

p.4

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

Staff receive safeguarding training, and this is up to date. However, they do not have a good knowledge and understanding of managing allegations. This is particularly pertinent due to the current arrangements for the leadership and management of the home.

p.4

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

The two occasions when a child has gone missing from the home have been managed effectively. For instance, staff followed the procedures in place by liaising with a range of external professionals and maintained contact with the child. Staff welcomed the child back and ensured that they had an opportunity to say why they went missing from the home. Staff continue to provide one-to-one sessions with the child to ensure that they are well supported in this area. As a result, the child has not gone missing from the home again.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders have failed to ensure that there are sufficient management arrangements in the absence of the registered manager and deputy manager. This is because the registered manager has not been in daily charge of the home since February 2024. Prior to this there have been inconsistent management arrangements for a significant period. Furthermore, the deputy manager is not currently working at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 5 The lack of a consistent manager and poor oversight from leaders has had a significant impact on children’s experiences and progress and has contributed to poor arrangements for safeguarding. This is because there is significant pressure on a team leader and a small team of core staff to manage the home and meet the needs of the children. The responsible individual visits the home on occasion but this does not allow them to have sufficient oversight.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been a lack of focus on staff recruitment. The core staff team work hard to fully meet the needs of children. However, there is a reliance of bank staff to cover shifts, and this adds to inconsistent experiences for children and low staff morale.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

While staff say that they feel supported, they do not receive regular supervision. Staff have not received appraisals of their practice. This means that their on-going targets and professional development needs are not known. Training in core areas is up-to-date. However not all staff have completed the relevant level 3 diploma in the required timescales. There is no formal induction package that helps to prepare staff that are new to the home. This is a missed opportunity to ensure that all staff have a clear and confident start.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring systems are ineffective. This includes the reviewing and monitoring of documentation and children’s files. There is missing documentation, as well as records that are not signed or dated. Staff do not know how to update these documents and they have not received the training or support to do this.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The review of the quality of care is not consistent. Ofsted has not received a copy of the most recent review within the required timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)) 17 June 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 17 June 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are protected from the potential risks of animal waste in the home.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(f)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to ensuring that suitable and appropriate management arrangements are in place to oversee the home and deliver on required outcomes for children. 17 June 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 8 The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

p.8

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(v)(viii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered provider should ensure that all children are enrolled and engaged in formal education. 17 June 2024

p.8

Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b)) 17 June 2024

p.8

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 17 June 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 9 ensure that staff—

p.8

Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care. (Regulation 7(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(iv))

p.9

Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

p.9

Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

p.9

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience.

p.9

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1)(a) (4)(a)(b)(c)) 17 June 2024

p.9

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

p.9

Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

p.9

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) 17 June 2024

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

p.9

Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

p.9

Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and 17 June 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 10 make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. (Regulation 45 (1) (3) (4)(a)(b))

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c)) 17 June 2024

p.10

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: 2585129 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

p.11

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Batchelor

p.11

Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2585129 12 regulates and inspects 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.

p.11

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12