Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 10 October 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home in a planned way. The child had made considerable progress and was ready to move on as they had become ready to live independently. The manager and staff celebrated the child’s time at the home by holding a party and creating special memories. The child has remained in touch with the staff and phones the home regularly.

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Findings from the inspection

The other child has also made significant progress. They have achieved excellent GCSE results and is now attending the local college to study three A levels. The child said, ‘The staff in my care home have been absolutely amazing and lovely to me for the three plus years I have lived here. They have helped support me in growing my independence, sticking to school, progressing to college and honestly just feeling safe and as happy as I can be in my situation.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the child well, including their likes and dislikes. They encourage the child to attend college and welcome their friends into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

In December 2023, at the statutory review, the independent reviewing officer agreed that the child needed a new laptop to help with A-level studies at college. However, no one took responsibility for obtaining this and there has been no progress. This is affecting the child’s ability to complete her course work. An assurance was given during the inspection that this issue would be remedied.

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Findings from the inspection

This child does not go missing from the home and does not require any form of consequence or to be physically held. The child receives staff support in some areas of their life, which comes from external agencies and the in-house therapist. As staff know the child very well, they rarely need to refer to the relevant plans to guide their practice. However, information in the risk management plan, safety plan, and the home’s care plan do not match entirely. It is not clear what is current and what is historical information. It would be difficult for a new member of staff to follow this to guide their practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff team is experienced. Most staff have worked at the home for at least three years. All have a level 3 qualification, and some are working towards a level 5 qualification as part of their career progression. Staff said that they loved working at the home and that coming to work was a ‘joy’. They feel well supported, with opportunities for staff development and a manager who is kind and supportive.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has completed all the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. This includes the redecoration of many rooms in the home and the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 3 creation of a utility room in the garage, to make it more accessible for the children to do their own laundry.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have undertaken training to explore using less institutional language in their records and reports. This has prompted discussion with the children about the content of their records and there is evidence that this is having some impact on more-recent reports.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/11/2022 Full Good 13/04/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children have the necessary support to enable them to access their education, and they should work with other agencies to obtain a laptop for one child. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ Page 28, para 5.13)  The registered person should ensure that staff record information about children in a way that distinguishes between current and historical information, and ensure that records, where relevant, contain the same information and that the information will be helpful to the child in the future. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care 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

Helen Humphreys, His Majesty’s Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582337 6 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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