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

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is part of a large national organisation. It is registered to care for up to three children who have a learning disability and/or emotional and/or behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager for this home registered with Ofsted on 17 June 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 1263270 2

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The care of children

Children have not been admitted to this home since March 2019, following a monitoring visit in January 2019 when a number of requirements were made. Since this time, the home has undergone extensive renovations, and a new responsible individual and registered manager have been appointed.

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The care of children

The organisation’s induction and training programme has been overhauled, although a new staff team is yet to be appointed.

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The safety of children

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed some of the building works planned for earlier in the year.

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The safety of children

The management team has assured children’s safety and welfare by not admitting children to the home before they are satisfied that the home environment is ready, and that a team is recruited and trained.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is keen for the home to be operational but is adamant that the home needs to be in a suitable and homely condition before any children move in. More recently, the need for new significant repair works has come to light, which meant that it was unsafe for the inspector to physically visit the home. Managers are arranging for these issues to be rectified as soon as possible. In the meantime, to reflect the current situation, the responsible individual has applied to vary the home’s registration conditions. This means that the registered person must notify Ofsted of an intention to admit children in the coming months, when they are ready to do so.

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Leaders and managers

The experienced and suitably qualified manager has completed safer recruitment and safeguarding training, in addition to other relevant courses. She is currently in the process of recruiting new staff and has a clear vision and ethos for the home.

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Leaders and managers

Throughout the assurance visit process, the manager was organised in ensuring that all the relevant information was made available to the inspector. The manager and responsible individual have reviewed requirements made at the previous inspection and completed improvement work as a result. The manager has also had in-depth discussions with the home’s independent visitor regarding lessons learned from the past. The independent visitor produces helpful monthly reports to assist the home’s development. Assurance visit report: 1263270 3

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Priory Education Services Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1263270 4 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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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 .

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Inspector

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

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