Children's Home run by Aspiration House Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 1 Registered provider: Aspiration House Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home is registered to provide care for up to four children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and/or atypical autism, learning disabilities, global development disorder and associated difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The recently appointed home manager has applied to be registered.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is linked to a school that is on the same site. Inspectors only inspected the social care provision during this visit.

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Information about this children’s home

This inspection was carried out in order to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 3 February 2022

Date of last inspection: 15 September 2021

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Inspection date: 3 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 2

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children 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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive good-quality care from staff who understand how to meet their complex needs. Children are settled in their home and have good relationships with staff. Children take part in a range of enriching activities on site and in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding systems are effective. Staff take appropriate action to protect children from harm. Because there is an open and transparent safeguarding culture, any concerns are quickly reported to managers. Managers take effective action when any safeguarding issues are reported to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have taken steps to improve arrangements for new children moving into the home. Managers and staff now go to great lengths to ensure that children’s needs are fully understood before they move into the home. Staff are provided with training to meet the needs of new children before they are admitted. Careful and detailed risk assessment means that the impact on existing residents of any newly admitted children is also fully considered.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ambitious plans to improve the home. For example, a new sensory room is being developed. This is likely to greatly improve the experiences of children. The manager has also improved the experience of children by ensuring that Wi-Fi access is better, reducing disruption to children’s leisure activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are attentive to children’s needs, ensuring high levels of supervision. Staff are able to recognise the signs that children might be becoming anxious or distressed. They generally prevent situations escalating because they communicate well, providing reassurance and comfort to the children. As a result, it has rarely been necessary for staff to use restraint techniques. When restraint has been required, managers have carefully scrutinised each incident to ensure that practice is appropriate. Since the last inspection, a new system has been implemented to ensure that children can share their views following any restraints. The manager acts on these views, using them to develop care strategies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s sensory and learning needs mean that they require a large space to play and explore. The grounds of the home provide this space. They include a wooded area, vegetable garden and adapted play equipment. Children are able to express themselves through noisy play and other activities that would not be possible in a smaller property. Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 3 Despite the spacious grounds, children’s play activities and linked behaviours have impacted on neighbours. For example, one child’s behaviours include the throwing of items, some of which have landed in adjoining properties. When complaints have been made about noise or other issues, managers have responded appropriately. They have been quick to acknowledge the problem and have taken steps to deal with issues. For example, play equipment has been moved away from neighbouring properties. In addition, stones and other items that might cause damage have been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

removed and soft balls have been scattered around the grounds for children to throw. Managers have also purchased large netting which they intend to erect in order to protect neighbouring property.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some parts of the house are well decorated and provide a very homely environment for children. However, other parts of the home are worn and require updating. Maintenance systems are not effective. As a result, damage is not repaired quickly enough. For example, one child’s bedroom window frame is in a poor state of repair and the window does not close properly. Staff have not taken action quickly enough to either arrange an urgent repair or to move the child to a different bedroom. Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to ensuring that staff take prompt action to ensure that damage is repaired and that the potential impact of any damage on children is addressed. 8 March 2022

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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: 2555505 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspiration House Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 9 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE

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Inspectors

Philip Cass, Social Care Inspector Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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