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

Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 1 SC481221 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 home is run by a private company and is registered for up to five children. The home offers 38- and 52-week placements for children who have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2018.

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Inspection date: 7 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 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 the seven requirements and one recommendation that were raised at the last inspection. As a result, the children feel comfortable and welcome in the home, staff feel supported by their managers and the quality of care has improved for the children.

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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 this inspection. The move to the home was positive and welcoming for both of them. Both children said that staff are friendly and helped them to settle in when they arrived at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children have moved on from the home since the last inspection, due to them requiring alternative care. Because the moves were sudden, the children did not have the opportunity to move on in a planned way. However, staff worked closely with the children to support their understanding of the reasons for their moves. This resulted in the moves being positive, which supported the children’s emotional well- being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been several incidents of restraint since the last inspection. These restraints were proportionate and kept the child safe. Staff managed these incidents appropriately and the details of the incidents were recorded well. As a result, the child was kept safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any bullying incidents or episodes of children going missing from the home since the last inspection. Going missing from home is identified as a risk for one of the children at the home. However, the child has not gone missing while living there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management oversight has improved. The manager reviews restraint and sanction documents quickly, which ensures that the quality of the care that children receive is good and they are kept safe. However, the lack of detail in the reports means that it is not always clear if the sanctions are effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers liaise well with other professionals to share information and seek advice. This has resulted in good partnership working, proportionate oversight of incidents and good-quality internal investigations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently been decorated, which has resulted in a warm and comfortable environment for the children. Both children said that they like their bedrooms and their home. Due to the home’s location, in the summer there can be a large number of flies in the home. Managers have minimised this by using fly Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 3 guards and other tools. The manager continues to monitor the decor, and any repairs that are needed. Consequently, children live in a home that they can take pride in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staffing numbers meet the needs of the children. Staff understand the benefits to children of a consistent staff team. When agency staff are used, managers ensure that relevant checks are completed on the agency staff before they work at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have been proactive in identifying staff training needs. They have ensured that new staff complete training in the timescales defined in their induction plans. All staff receive regular supervision. This has resulted in staff improving their understanding of risks in the home and how to report these to improve the safety of children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have made sure that staff feel confident to speak openly about the working environment and relationships with their colleagues. Staff know who they can speak with if they need further support and advice. This has resulted in improvements in communication and staff morale.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are committed to ensuring that children have the information they need in order to make positive choices. Direct work with the children covers areas such as understanding positive relationships, exploitation, and health and well-being. Therefore, children’s understanding of risk has improved and has helped them to make safe choices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker said that she is pleased with the care that her child is receiving and the progress the child has made. The social worker said that the child’s moving-on plan is likely to be achieved because of the progress that she has made at the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/12/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/07/2019 Full Good 09/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny. In particular, monitor the need for and the effectiveness of sanctions. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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: SC481221 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

Laraine Edmondson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC481221 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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