Children's Home, Residential special school run by The National Autistic Society in Barnsley

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 1 SC032154 Registered provider: The National Autistic Society

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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 part of a charitable trust. It provides care for up to eight children who may have autism spectrum disorder. Children may have other associated difficulties, such as sensory impairment and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is divided into two houses, with a communal hub and garden. Children who live in the home also attend the school that is in the same grounds.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspectors only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in post who leaves in May 2025. There is currently no replacement manager identified. The interim manager was absent at the time of the inspection.

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors 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, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 2 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: SC032154 3

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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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Findings from the inspection

The inspectors reviewed the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection. Two requirements and three recommendations have been responded to appropriately. However, one recommendation and one requirement are restated. No further requirements or recommendations have been raised following this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The deputy manager has worked hard to ensure that the staff feel supported and that their morale remains high, despite the uncertainty of the provision’s future. She is dedicated to the staff and children and speaks of staff with high regard, acknowledging their value and contributions.

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Findings from the inspection

The deputy manager has oversight of incidents. She encourages the staff to reflect on their wording in documents to ensure that there is no stigmatising language used. However, some restrictions of children’s movements are documented as ‘unplanned responses’ and not as physical interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is adapted to meet the individual needs of the children, with areas specifically designed for each child. For example, one child has their own ‘messy play’ area, where they enjoy activities, including throwing paint. Toys and teddies are visible throughout the home and are easily accessible for the children, offering them a nurturing environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to carry out their daily care routines. The staff ensure that the children are ready in time to walk to school with their teachers. Staff use strategies, including encouragement and distraction, to help the children to remain settled while they wait to travel to school.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are clearly recorded in their health passports. They attend routine appointments with the dentist and optician. The staff use social stories to help children to understand what they can expect during these visits. This helps to prepare children for their appointments and reduces any worries that they may have.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children well and speak about them with compassion. Children look comfortable and relaxed in their home and in the company of staff. Children look to staff for reassurance when new people talk to them. Staff make the children feel at ease.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work together as a team to help children make unique and individualised progress. Staff recognise that progress looks different for each child, and all children’s achievements are recognised and celebrated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/02/2024 Full Good 22/02/2023 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (2) (3)(a)(iv)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff only use holds that are in line with the home’s policies and clearly record the actions that staff take. 14 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 6 This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they have a workforce plan. Also, the quality of care review should include an action plan that identifies any actions required for the next six months in the home, and how those actions will be addressed. The plans should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8 and page 65, paragraph 15.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The National Autistic Society

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Joshua Fitzgerald

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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