Children's home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 1 SC476990 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and manages this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to seven children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently six children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2014

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/06/2021 Full Outstanding 10/04/2019 Full Outstanding 09/05/2018 Full Outstanding 10/10/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 3

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outstanding

Children are happy and enjoy living at this home. The high-quality and spacious environment provides children with lots of opportunities to play and relax. Nurturing and child-focused staff create a homely atmosphere in which children flourish and thrive.

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outstanding

Children like and trust the staff who look after them. Attentive staff respond to children, who comfortably share their views. Some children write letters directly to the manager, who acts on their requests. An inclusive and empowering approach enables children to influence their plans and overall care experience.

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outstanding

Staff are aspirational for children and know them well. Together, they make plans, and children set their own targets and goals. A range of incentives motivates children, who make excellent progress. Every success is celebrated. Some children’s incentives help their family time. One parent said, ‘The care and support my child gets is fantastic; the home is amazing, and staff really support us at home.’

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outstanding

Children have lots of fun. Through creative and meaningful activities, their confidence and social skills markedly improve. Children relax together as they watch films in their cinema room. As a team, children take on challenges and have plenty of new, exciting experiences. Children explore the United Kingdom on multiple holidays and have been on an aeroplane for the first time.

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outstanding

Children proudly contribute to their community. Together, staff and children support many charitable events. Children like to help others, and they develop compassion and empathy.

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outstanding

Staff understand and wholly promote children’s individual health needs. A clinical team ensures that timely assessments are made when necessary. Children spend time with a counsellor and an art therapist who visit the home each week. Trained staff use further alternative therapeutic approaches effectively. Children spend time caring for a large variety of animals in ‘The Ark’ and engage in Lego therapy sessions. Children’s communication and confidence develop enormously.

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outstanding

Children have a structured day, and there is a strong culture of learning. The manager understands the importance for children to have the correct education provision and passionately advocates for this. Some children have bespoke interim plans while formal arrangements are made. Children are interested in and speak positively about their education. Children’s education attendance and achievements improve, which increases their future potential. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 4 Staff fully embrace children’s identity choices. They source more advice, which ensures they give children the correct support. Staff listen to children and respect their wishes. Children safely explore who they want to be.

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outstanding

Children have a safe place to live. The manager’s thorough assessments ensure that children receive high levels of supervision and care from staff who have the skills and are suitable to provide this. There are no unnecessary hazards in this exceptionally well-maintained home. The home is in an area where children can access the community safely. Children do not go missing from care and unanimously say they feel safe, which is reflective of their demeanour and presentation. One parent said, ‘My child is safe and well looked after.’

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outstanding

Unique features of this home significantly enhance children’s lives. Children make remarkable progress from their individual starting points. Children become increasingly able to communicate and express themselves because of the innovative and creative help they receive.

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outstanding

When needed, trained staff apply proportionate support to help keep children safe. Physical intervention is not often used. Children tell staff what they need and write this in their support plans. Children can better manage their emotions as they can now talk about their feelings. Incidents and risks for children are significantly reducing.

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outstanding

Alert and responsive staff take swift action to help children who are vulnerable to potential harm. Reflective conversations between children and staff help children learn about their personal safety. As a result, these situations do not reoccur.

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outstanding

The manager instils a proactive approach to risk management. Children’s plans change in line with both increasing and decreasing levels of risk and consider a broad range of influencing factors. Staff value and put in place the guidance that these plans provide. Children learn to make socially acceptable and safe choices.

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outstanding

Children have a choice in what they do, and they enjoy a broad range of activities. Knowledgeable staff educate children as they proactively research and learn about online safety. Discussions between staff, supporting professionals and children take place to agree if children can go online safely. Children spend time together playing computer games in a safe and fun way.

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outstanding

The manager upholds strong safeguarding practices. All allegations and disclosures children make are taken with the utmost seriousness. Prompt and thorough investigations occur as the manager works effectively with partner agencies. The manager’s diligence ensures that appropriate safeguards and supports are put in place to protect both the children and staff, which at times extend beyond the home. Children are happy and informed throughout this process. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is ambitious and aspirational for the children and staff. He works in partnership with two experienced and equally dedicated deputy managers. Together, through creativity and commitment, they continually develop the home and embed a shared vision. This ensures that children receive exceptional care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a sound knowledge and understanding of each child. He is actively involved in children’s daily care and has high expectations for their futures. Children enjoy spending time with the manager, and strong relationships are built.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s enthusiasm is replicated in the whole staff team, which holds his leadership in very high regard. Motivated staff members embrace professional development opportunities and strive to achieve their full working potential. Children receive care from a cohesive team of staff who feel valued and are extremely proud of their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reviews staff working practices effectively and promotes a culture of learning. High-quality and well-received support inspires staff and helps them feel valued. Staff confidently use knowledge from research and specialist training research to maximise the care children receive. New and innovative approaches are constantly considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Rigorous internal and external monitoring systems help to maintain excellent practice. The manager develops purposeful assurance and communication systems to maintain a comprehensive oversight of the home. This achieves a perpetuating and high-quality delivery of care for children. The manager values the scrutiny of the independent person’s monthly reports. Senior managers conduct internal auditing, which further ensures that the home operates in line with the statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recently, supervision for the manager has not been regular. There is a new responsible individual for the home. The manager is self-motivated and highly functioning. He feels that support has been accessible throughout these senior-level changes and believes there has been no adverse impact on his work. However, a lack of regular, formal discussions has the potential to limit the manager’s professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager informs the regulator of serious matters and demonstrates the decisive action they take to protect children. However, the manager provides inconsistent updates when child protection enquiries conclude. This is not helpful in supporting the regulator to assess the outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works collaboratively and effectively with partner agencies. He persistently advocates for children, which ensures that children’s plans progress. The views of families and professionals are proactively sought. This assures the manager that children are well looked after. Professionals and children’s families say that the genuine care and support help children thrive. One parent said, ‘My child has Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 6 changed so much, in a way I couldn’t have hoped for. My child is really thriving beyond what I could recognise.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 7

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Recommendations

 The registered individual should ensure that the manager receives regular, recorded supervision. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)  The registered person should ensure that they inform Ofsted when a child protection enquiry concludes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: SC476990 8

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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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Inspectors

Alexandra Howitt, Social Care Inspector Gina Lightfoot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC476990 9 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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