Children's Home run by Ashwood Children’s Care Homes (Aspen House) Ltd in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 1 Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens Care Home Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a manager who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: n/a

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of this home since registration. The children enjoy living in this home and speak positively about the staff. Staff use humour to make children feel at ease and de-escalate difficult situations. The staff want to support the children and enable them to be happy and live in a home resembling that of a family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The importance of education is well understood by the manager and staff. There is effective liaison with all external education professionals. Children attend school daily and are doing well. However, one child does not yet have an education provision. The manager and staff advocate for him and seek an update about a school place. The child receives daily education in the home. Staff occupy him with educational activities so that he continues to learn.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and managers encourage children to be themselves and enjoy their childhoods. The staff do not place unrealistic expectations on them. This leads to a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Staff encourage children to complete age-appropriate tasks, so that they can start learning some essential life skills. The staff work alongside the children when they are doing these tasks, to show them exactly what they need to do. This allows staff to spend crucial time with the children and build on their relationships while children learn important life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities. A popular theme park is a firm favourite. Staff take time to do arts and crafts with the children, which is enjoyed by all. Some of the children also attend local clubs. This allows them to develop friendships and have fun with children of their own age away from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are in good health. When any health issues arise, appointments are made to see health professionals. When ongoing health support is needed, staff work with professionals for the benefit of children. The children eat a balanced diet and choose food for the weekly menu. All the food is homemade, where possible. The children get opportunities to cook and bake with staff. This is both a fun and enjoyable activity and develops relationships as well as crucial skills for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide help and support to help children manage their emotions. Children are beginning to recognise when they are feeling under pressure or overwhelmed. They are better able to ask for help and they can talk to the staff and express their worries.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know the children very well. They do everything they can to make sure the children are happy and feel cared about. Children know that staff are safe adults that they can talk to about their worries. Staff take the children to school. This Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 4 means the staff have time to talk with the children and learn about their day. Staff find this time invaluable to have important conversations with children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

At times, the staff need to have sensitive discussions with children. The staff approach these conversations with kindness and understanding. However, the staff are not yet providing children with consistent messages and responses to certain behaviours. This will help children get a clear understanding of what is expected of them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have individual risk assessments. These capture the risks and vulnerabilities for each child. Managers continually review how they can strengthen and improve the quality of risk assessments. Children’s risk assessments provide staff with the guidance they need to keep children safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have access to the internet. Managers and staff have a system that monitors the children’s activity while they are online or using social media. The staff review this to ensure that children are enjoying the internet and social media, while remaining safe. Should staff or managers have any concerns for children while they are online, action can be taken to restrict access to the internet. This provides staff with the opportunity to work with children about their online activities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff undertake specific and individual work with children through key-work sessions. These frequently take place. Managers and a psychotherapist have oversight of these meetings. The psychotherapist goes to the home once a week to support staff, and staff find this support invaluable. The psychotherapist also works with the children and staff, and is very much part of the team. This intervention contributes to the safety of children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

If physical intervention is used, the whole process has rigorous oversight from the manager. Following any physical intervention, a debrief is held with the child. This means the child can talk about their feelings or express any concerns they may have about the intervention. Additionally, strategies to avoid physical intervention can also be discussed and agreed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children have not been missing from care. They are not involved in any criminal activity or exploitation. The home is very settled. Staff support the children to take age-appropriate risks to support their overall development. Staff undertake individual work with children to give them the support and help they need to try new things. The staff work in a coordinated manner to provide the comprehensive care and support that the children need.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home is a safe environment for the children and staff. Downstairs, the home is very homely. There is a large garden and conservatory that the children can use and enjoy. However, the home requires some attention to the upstairs areas, so that these are in keeping with the rest of the home. The location risk assessment could be strengthened to ensure that the location of the home remains safe and secure for children. Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has been through a period of change, and a new manager has recently been appointed. Additionally, the home has only recently been registered and staff are building their relationships. However, this does not detract from the good-quality care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff coming to work in the home benefit from a well-structured induction programme. They also spend time undertaking the appropriate training that will equip them to care for the children. The manager is aware that some very specific training is still required. Staff receive regular professional supervision. The staff feel that this is a supportive process. Staff report that managers are very approachable and always have time for them. This creates a motivated and happy group of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and the manager have a vision for the home. Leaders and the manager lead by example. The manager is supportive and caring toward the children and their staff team. The manager understands the strengths and the areas that need further development. Staff do feel valued by the managers, and this helps to motivate them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals and family member is positive. The manager and staff have developed good relationships with important people in the children’s lives. This helps children to become settled and start making progress. Children have family time and staff will go with them if needed to ensure that this is both enjoyable for all and safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s records are stored electronically. This enables the manager to have clear oversight of all documents and any actions required. Staff receive electronic prompts to update important documents. The staff read and understand the contents of crucial, relevant documents for children. This means that staff remain appraised of any changes to children’s care and safeguarding needs. Consequently, the children will have a better care experience as their carers know how to respond to them. Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are trained in specific areas, so that children receive individualised care in accordance with their presenting needs. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2)  The registered person should ensure that the home provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of the children living there. The home should seek, as far as possible, maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that the location of the home is suitably risk assessed and children are effectively safeguarded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: 2675775 7

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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: Ashwood Childrens Care Home Ltd, G43a Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Burton on Trent DE15 0YZ

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Inspector

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2675775 8 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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