Children's home run by Aspris Homes Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 1 SC413085 Registered provider: Castle Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large private provider and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021.

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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

Date of last inspection: 15 December 2021

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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: SC413085 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/12/2021 Full Outstanding 30/04/2019 Full Good 19/06/2018 Full Good 13/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 3

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outstanding

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, one child successfully moved back home with their family.

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outstanding

Moves into and out of the home are considerably well planned. The manager meets with children before they move in. This helps children to ask questions and feel reassured. Alongside this, the manager spends time with people who are important to the child to gather information. The manager uses this information to ensure that children living together have common interests and staff have the correct skills and experiences. Staff have stayed in contact with one child who moved out. They have taken the child clean clothes, food and toiletries daily. This exceptional practice means that the child has continued to have a safe support network and feels cared for.

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outstanding

Children thrive because of the relationships staff build with them. Staff understand that positive attachments are a protective factor for children. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] finally feels like someone cares about her.’ Staff consistently use praise, prioritise their time to be with children and plan activities they know children will enjoy. One child attends three different youth clubs and has made friends in the local community. Staff have helped another child to understand what healthy relationships are. Children feel valued, build trust and develop a sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Children make exceptional progress with their education. Staff are committed to each child’s learning. One child had not engaged in education for two years before living at the home. Through staff’s actions, the child has now sat her GCSEs and is planning her career. Staff are creative in supporting one child to become a professional jockey. They have sourced volunteering roles in local stables, organised work experience with horses and researched how to help the child with their career. Children are given opportunities to succeed by staff who support them.

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outstanding

Children have numerous opportunities to express their views and opinions. Regular house meetings help children to talk about what it is like living together, plan activities and organise the menu. The manager meets with children individually. This helps children to feel valued. When children have made a complaint, the manager makes this their top priority. For instance, one child made a complaint about her access to the internet. The manager met with the child and social worker to come to an agreement. As a result, the complaint was resolved in partnership with the child.

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outstanding

Staff meet with children to discuss sensitive topics. Staff do not shy away from difficult conversations with children. Children are encouraged to talk about their feelings, experiences and identity. Consequently, children become more confident and accepting of who they are. One staff member has received specialist training to Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 4 become a sexual health officer. Children learn to talk about what worries them and make positive choices.

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outstanding

Staff go above and beyond to organise new experiences for children, such as themed escape rooms, driving experiences, country shows, horse racing and exhibitions. Staff encourage children to become involved in charity events. Children go litter picking in the community and donate clothes to charity. This helps children to build their self-esteem and confidence and opens their outlook on life.

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outstanding

Children’s health is a priority for the staff. Each child has an individualised health development plan. One child said, ‘When I moved in, I didn’t know how to eat properly, now look at me, I understand how to look after myself well.’ Staff encourage children to schedule and attend medical appointments and request medication. This helps children to make decisions to improve their health and well- being.

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outstanding

The manager and staff take their safeguarding role and responsibilities very seriously. Any concerns are escalated without delay. One social worker said, ‘Staff communicate very well. They always keep me updated, especially anything significant, the reports are always very detailed.’ Staff receive regular training to fully embed safeguarding into their practice. Staff are skilled in recognising changes in children that cause concern. Staff notice if children are spending more time alone than usual. They are inquisitive and speak to the children about their concerns. As a result, children are protected.

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outstanding

Risk assessments and behaviour plans are comprehensive. Staff are skilled at identifying, assessing and reducing risk. Plans include how trauma has affected the child and how staff should respond. When children find it difficult to talk to adults about their feelings, staff are consistent and supportive. As a result, children have learned to manage their emotions and talk with confidence, which enables them to lead their own childcare reviews. Children receive exceptional levels of safety planning and stability because of staff’s approach.

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outstanding

Staff are experienced in supporting children who self-harm or have thoughts of suicide. Staff take immediate action to protect children and make referrals to specialist services. This approach means that children experience continual support with their mental health.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, there have been no restraints. Staff know the children well and use de-escalation strategies effectively. On rare occasions when consequences are used, they are proportionate and well considered. This means that children learn from mistakes and make better choices.

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outstanding

When a child previously left the home without permission, staff carried out extensive searches and contacted the child’s family to help locate the child. Staff worked Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 5 closely with external professionals to discuss their concerns. The manager held a review of the missing-from-care incidents. This identified different approaches staff could have used, for instance exploring external influences, risks and exposure. This means that staff are highly skilled in reducing this risk and no other children have left the home without permission.

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outstanding

Managers respond immediately to any concerns about children’s safety. Investigations are thorough and the manager is prompt in sharing information. The manager liaises with external professionals. This ensures that there is external scrutiny of safeguarding measures in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is qualified and experienced to manage the home. She has high expectations of staff and higher aspirations for children. A deputy manager supports the manager and is as equally committed to the children’s and staff’s progress. Staff speak highly of the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual also plays an active role in the home. They have good oversight and maintain relationships with staff and children. Furthermore, they actively monitor and review the care provided to children in the home. This means that shortfalls are quickly identified and care for children remains at an exceptionally high standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are established monitoring systems in place which help the manager to have oversight of the quality of care provided. The manager uses this information to identify areas for development. Managers are reflective and understand the home’s strengths. A detailed development plan is in place, which is reviewed regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers follow safer recruitment procedures. Children are involved in interviewing and selecting staff. This helps children to feel that they matter, and their ideas and feelings are treated with respect. New members of staff have a detailed induction and are allocated a mentor in addition to their line manager. This makes certain that new staff are well supported and confident to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from supervision which is focused on reflection. Children are discussed in detail. This helps staff to review the progress children make and discuss any concerns. The well-being of staff is prioritised. This is because the manager recognises that staff well-being is important to children and the care staff provide. This contributes to the positive and nurturing ethos of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff attend exceptionally well-planned team meetings. These meetings are used to review children’s progress, plan activities in the home and reflect on practice. Research is presented to staff and key topics are discussed, such as the benefits of nature on children’s mental health, challenging institutionalised language and child sexual exploitation. This helps staff to expand their knowledge base and encourages curiosity. Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 6 Managers understand the importance of providing staff with the skills and knowledge they need to provide consistency of care to children. Additional training is provided to ensure that specific needs can be met. Staff are either qualified or working towards the relevant level 3 childcare qualification. Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 7

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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: SC413085 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes 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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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC413085 9 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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