Children's home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 1 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care and support for up to eight children who may have experienced neglect, abuse and/or trauma that has left them vulnerable. The children may have a diagnosis of developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a school on the same site, which is registered with the Department for Education. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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Inspection date: 7 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met all four requirements that were raised at the full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. They are cared for by staff who have a good understanding of their needs. Both children have made good progress. The children say that they enjoy living at the home and that they have good relationships with staff. One child said, ‘I love it. It’s like a family.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved processes for the assessment and matching of children in advance of them moving to the home. One child was due to move to the home soon after the inspection and a clear transition plan was underway for them. Managers had carefully considered the child’s needs and completed a clear impact assessment in advance of agreeing to the move. The child visited the home for an overnight stay and has been involved in the planning process. Good planning for children helps to ensure that staff can meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have made good progress with their education. One child accesses the on- site school and has excellent attendance. Another child has recently moved to a new provision and has been supported well by staff with this change. This has resulted in an increase in attendance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand children’s needs well. There are clear risk assessments which outline different risks to children and strategies for staff to support them. Staff manage incidents in line with these strategies and help children at times when they are upset and distressed. Incidents of self-harm have been responded to in ways that have helped children to stay safe. Children are provided with ongoing therapeutic support to help with their emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been some incidents of children being reported missing from the home. Staff have responded to these incidents well by actively searching for children and following the missing-from-home protocols. However, managers have not always challenged children’s placing authorities when they have not offered children return home interviews. When return home interviews have taken place, managers have not ensured that they are aware of what has been discussed. This means that relevant information from these interviews is not included in children’s plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A significant amount of work has been undertaken on the home environment since the last inspection. Children have new en-suite bathrooms and can personalise their bedrooms. A new cinema room is well used by children and a new kitchen has just Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 3 been installed. The home is well maintained and decorated throughout and provides a homely environment for children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have put new systems in place to ensure that they have effective oversight of the home. Monitoring of behavioural incidents is good, with managers seeking to identify learning from them. When learning has been identified, this has been addressed appropriately with staff and children’s plans are updated as necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from a wide variety of activities. They enjoyed a summer holiday with staff, which they said was a lot of fun. One child said, ‘We laughed all the time.’ One child has been able to go to a West End show with a staff member. The child is a big fan of musicals, and this was an opportunity that they had not had before.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff say that they are well supported by managers, who make themselves very available to staff. Regular supervision for staff includes a good level of discussion about children’s needs and how these are being met. Team meetings provide a forum for staff to consider how they are working with children and to develop their practice through reflection. Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should challenge placing local authorities if they do not provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview after incidents of being missing from the home. The registered person should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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 children’s home: 1278017 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Wallace

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Inspector

Joe Cox, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1278017 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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