Children's Home run by Ashwood Children‟s Care Home Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 1 Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens care home ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned in 2021. Interim management arrangements are in place.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Inspection date: 23 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 23 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that if has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Concerns were raised at the last inspection about the leadership and management of the home. There were shortfalls relating to the safety of children during physical interventions and the management of allegations made by children. The quality of risk assessments and responses to children missing from home was also of concern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have responded well to the statutory requirements made at the full inspection. They have undertaken the following actions:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 Staff have been retrained in behaviour management. This has ensured that approved physical interventions are used only where necessary and that incidents are recorded clearly and have management oversight.  The staff have received training and guidance relating to the reporting of allegations or concerns to the appropriate agencies.  Staff have received training and development in their recording practices, to ensure that records are detailed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff now have a good understanding of the current procedures to follow if a child makes an allegation against a professional. The manager has provided internal and external training to support staff’s learning. There have not been any new allegations since the last inspection. However, should this situation arise, staff have the knowledge to respond to children’s concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children rarely go missing. Where this has happened, staff responses have been well coordinated. The staff welcome children home when they return. Staff talk to children about why they have been missing, where they have been and who with. Staff take steps to prevent further incidents. This is because they understand the risks to children of going missing from the home. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made improvements to children’s risk assessments. The risk assessments now contain detailed information about the type and level of risk and children’s vulnerabilities. There are good and robust strategies in place to manage risks. Where new concerns emerge, risk assessments are updated and there is a system in place to ensure that all staff are alerted to these changes. The manager is currently working on the format of risk assessments to improve how information is presented. This will make the documents clearer to follow and easier to access. Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 3 Children have lived at the home for a considerable period. They have developed trusting relationships with the manager and staff. Children can talk about their frustrations and concerns. For example, when children want more time with their families or a change of school, the manager advocates for this. As a result, children

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

feel listened to and know their views will be acted on.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff benefit from regular training in areas specific to the needs of children. They are well supported by the new manager. Staff say this gives them confidence to provide good care and keep children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff continue to have positive relationships with external professional agencies. Professionals say that there is very good communication and information-sharing. This ensures that there are well-coordinated responses to the needs of children in all areas of their lives, keeping them safe and helping them to make progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 5

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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: 2558515 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens care home ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: G43a Repton house, Bretby business park, Burton on Trent DE15 0YZ

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 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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