Children's Home run by Aston Children’s Care Ltd in Dudley

Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 1 Registered provider: Aston Children’s Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 12 October 2020 and is suitably qualified.

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Only one child was living at the home at the time of this inspection. Staff provide him with a good standard of care which meets his complex needs. The child has made good progress. For example, he now goes to school and is enjoying some activities in the community. In addition, the child is developing more independence skills, such as cooking and looking after his pet fish. Consequently, his self-esteem and confidence is improving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and the manager consulted the child when decorating the home and he has personalised his bedroom. However, some unnecessary signage around the home gives it an institutionalised feel in parts.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child likes living at the home because staff listen to him and talk through any worries he may have. He has positive relationships with those looking after him and says he feels safe and well looked after by staff. Staff and the manager work well with partner agencies and follow safeguarding procedures and protocols, which protects the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide consistent routines and boundaries which incorporate restorative practice. The child is now able to reflect and learn from things that happen and he is managing his emotions well, which he is proud of. Staff de-escalate challenging situations well. There has only been one incident which required staff to physically intervene to keep the child and others safe. This was managed appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, there has been one complaint. The manager dealt with this swiftly and thoroughly. He spoke with the child and provided him with reassurance and support. The manager gave the child feedback about how his concerns had been addressed. Listening to children and acting on what they say helps children to feel valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are receiving good reflective supervisions and appraisals. The manager ensures that they attend all relevant training. This promotes staff’s continuous professional development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and the manager have met all the requirements raised at the last inspection. However, there are some aspects of monitoring and oversight that require improvement. Managers do not always ensure that monthly monitoring reports and other relevant information are sent to Ofsted in a timely way. In addition, they do not always monitor the number of hours staff work and maintain up-to-date records Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 3 relating to the child. If not addressed, this has the potential to comprise the quality of care given to the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 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, 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(h)) 28 February 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene, etc); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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

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: 2597490 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aston Children’s Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 181 Penn Road, Wolverhampton WV3 0EQ

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2597490 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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