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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 1 SC402426 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

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to five children who have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2009.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/07/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Good 05/11/2018 Full Good 07/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child currently lives in this home. Three children have moved out since the previous inspection. Two children have moved on to foster care and one child has moved into supported accommodation. This is in line with their wishes and feelings. Their experiences are captured in this report.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their starting points. For example, a child’s family member told the inspector, ‘[Name of child] has made huge progress since being at [name of home]. She understands the boundaries set and has flourished emotionally since being there.’ All children develop their independence skills. For example, children take it in turns to cook for everyone once a week. This helps them to develop the skills required to cook a range of different meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The current child told the inspector that she likes living in the home because she ‘loves the people’ who work there. She enjoys warm and supportive care from a team of staff who know her well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to pursue their hobbies. One child attends a dance class and has found a new hobby of aircraft spotting. She also attends a youth group. There is a good range of activities that children enjoy, such as pumpkin carving, camping and going to the beach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are listened to. For example, a child asked to move to a larger bedroom to practise her dancing. She has done so and proudly showed the inspector her room, which she has personalised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A social worker spoke about the good level of support given to her child when it was time for her to move on to foster care. She stated:

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘[Name of manager] was very supportive of the transition for [name of child], answering queries with good detail and supporting introductions as well as supporting with [name of child]’s contact with her birth family.’

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

Children become increasingly safe over time due to the good level of care they receive. Children do not go missing from this home, even when this has previously been a concern. There have been no safeguarding allegations and there are no concerns about exploitation or radicalisation. Staff de-escalate children’s behaviours well. They are aware of particular factors that children may struggle with and the actions they need to take to keep them safe. Staff are skilled at recording any incidents that occur. This supports the manager’s oversight of these events and staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 4 A real strength of this home is the staff’s consistency in relation to maintaining clear boundaries and expectations. This helps children to change their behaviours over time and also helps children to feel safe as they know what to expect.

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

Staff talk to children about the world around them. For example, they discuss topics such as charity events, food shortages and cultural celebrations. They also help children to understand how to keep themselves safe, and they provide gentle prompts to ensure that they remain safe on a day-to-day basis.

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

Staff hold the necessary level 3 qualification in residential childcare. They receive a range of training to ensure that they can support the individual needs of the children they care for.

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

The registered manager ensures that staff who are recruited to work in the home are subject to all the necessary checks. This helps to ensure that staff who work at the home are safe to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a wealth of experience. She is clear about the home’s strengths and the areas she wishes to develop. She is passionate to ensure that children receive a high level of care. Therefore, the requirement and the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Records of physical interventions are clear. Staff have received all the necessary training and all consequences are now recorded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been some staff shortages. The registered manager has helped to cover these shortages by working on shift. She has done so while ensuring that her management duties are not affected. This has ensured a good level of consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff spoken to are positive about the level of support that the manager provides. One member of staff told the inspector that he chooses to drive a long distance to work in this home because he feels that he really benefits from the manager’s management style.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions take place in line with the company’s policy. These are detailed and demonstrate that staff are supported to develop their practice and understanding of the children they care for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All professionals and family members speak positively about the leadership of the home. They state that communication is ‘excellent’ and that they admire the manager’s honesty and input into children’s reviews and meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are no requirements or recommendations made at this visit. The manager has strong monitoring tools that are effective in quickly identifying any areas for development, which she then quickly addresses. Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 5

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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: SC402426 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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Inspector

Louise Battersby, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC402426 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 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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