Children's Home run by Aspris Care Central Limited in Norfolk

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC379357 1 SC379357 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is run by a private company, provides care for up to three children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma, and family or placement breakdowns. The children may display challenging behaviours. The manager was registered with Ofsted for this home on 26 July 2016.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have made good progress since the last inspection. Staff encourage them to attend clubs in the community and to maintain positive friendships. The children have built good relationships with a staff team that understands their very individual needs. Good interaction between staff and children was observed during the inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the one requirement and three recommendations that were raised at the last inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to engage in education. They have high levels of attendance. A child said that he is enjoying his college course and is starting to volunteer at the local RSPCA shelter. Staff communicate well with education providers. Staff see education as an important part of children’s development and daily routine. They encourage and support Interim inspection report children’s home: SC379357 2 children to attend and achieve. Children know that the staff have aspirations for them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has moved into the home, from a sister home, since the last inspection. The transition was well planned and well managed in consultation with managers from both homes, the child and their social worker. Consequently, the child settled in quickly.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff enable children to develop their independence skills in accordance with their age, understanding and ability. The younger children have been able to develop their personal care and hygiene. An older child can now use the local bus to get himself to and from college independently. He shops and cooks with staff support.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of children developing their awareness of risks. In consultation with social workers, they help children to manage risks effectively. A social worker said, ‘It would be easy for the staff to wrap him in cotton wool, but they don’t. He has learned to manage some risks.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children engage with regular individualised key-work sessions, which help them to understand issues that could affect them. Staff use key-work sessions to discuss topics such as behaviour, sanctions, rewards and targets. Regularly reviewed placement plans guide the staff to work with children effectively. Staff discuss children’s plans with them during key-work sessions, ensuring that children understand their plans and have opportunities to discuss them with staff who know the children well.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff apply fair and proportionate sanctions in response to unwanted behaviour. Children have the opportunity to read the records of sanctions and comment. The manager evaluates the records. Evaluation and reflection has led to staff adapting their approach so that children can better understand the impact of their behaviour. Staff reward children’s positive behaviour. Reinforcement of positive behaviour shows children that staff are proud of them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff create individualised memory books full of photos and memories. These will be a lovely reminder for children of their time at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children attend regular house meetings during which a wide variety of topics are discussed. Children contribute to planning activities and menus. The manager attends these meetings. This shows the children that their wishes and feelings are important and listened to.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with social workers and families to ensure that children’s relationships with their families are maintained and visits are safe and meaningful.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular, supportive, recorded supervision. Regular staff meetings enable discussion about children’s care so that staff can consistently and effectively meet children’s needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the staff have undertaken training in safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. The manager has recently undertaken training in understanding gangs and county lines. She Interim inspection report children’s home: SC379357 3 has planned a workshop during an upcoming staff meeting to ensure that staff are aware of signs of gang and county lines activity and the actions to take.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager monitors care practice at the home. She has recently begun looking in more depth at trends and patterns to facilitate plotting progress for children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has undergone some redecoration and building work since the last inspection. A wall at the end of the hall has been put up to make a separate games room for the children. The house is warm, nurturing and welcoming.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/06/2018 Full Good 12/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/07/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/11/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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’.

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Children’s home details

Unique reference number: SC379357 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC379357 4 Provision sub-type: Children’s home

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Trish Palmer: social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC379357 5 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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