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

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider and provides care for up to three children. The home caters for children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021 and is suitably qualified.

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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: SC413085 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2023 Full Outstanding 07/03/2023 Full Outstanding 15/12/2021 Full Outstanding 30/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC413085 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection in August 2023, one child has successfully moved to semi- independent living. The staff have maintained contact with them and celebrated a special birthday with them recently. This shows the dedication of the staff to maintain relationships, so children feel held in mind even when they move on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child has remained living at the home and is very settled, wanting to stay until they reach adulthood. Another child has come to live at the home since the last inspection and was supported with a well-planned move. This included the staff supporting the child to remain in their education provision despite the distance, to avoid too many changes in their final important exam year.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Both children are excelling in their education and have plans for the new academic term. This has meant big changes for both children, having finished secondary education. The staff, with the support of the provider’s education lead, are ambitious for children to reach their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When one child was faced with a life-changing experience, the registered manager and staff team went above and beyond to ensure that they received exceptional care, treatment and support. The staff sensitively support the child to see their family and help them understand about loss and bereavement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are making wonderful memories. This is captured in memory books for them to take with them when they leave. They are supported by staff to explore their hobbies and interests and enjoy their childhood experiences. One child’s passion for horse racing is evident all around the home. Another child’s love of gaming and anime are embraced by staff, who have learned about them so they can share this experience with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Both children have extensive independence plans in place to support their journeys to adulthood. The staff support the children to learn new skills which enable them to be prepared for their next steps. These include travelling independently, budgeting and developing DIY skills with the maintenance team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is an open and supportive culture in the home which enables children to express themselves and feel comfortable to explore their identity. The staff ensure that they speak with the children about equality, diversity and difference, and support them with any changes they wish to make in their lives. However, one child’s plans have not been updated to consistently refer to their chosen gender. This has not impacted on the child due to staff understanding their needs and this is a recording issue rather than one that impacts on practice. Inspection report for children's home: SC413085 4

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

The home is set in a beautiful landscape with ample space for children to grow up in. The children’s bedrooms reflect their individual personalities. The maintenance team actively involves the children in helping them. One recent project involved a child and the maintenance person painting their bedroom in stripes to reflect the colour of their favourite jockey’s silks.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture among the staff team and managers. Any concerns are swiftly addressed and investigated by senior leaders. Meticulous thought went into the care planning for one child when their circumstances changed. This included consultation with the child’s health team and other experts to ensure that plans were suitable and kept the child safe.

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

The relationships between the staff and children are built on the foundations of children feeling safe. This means that children are settled. They do not go missing from home and there have been no physical interventions. When asked what it is like to live at the home, one child said, ‘It is chill.’ Another said, ‘This is my home.’

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

The staff model appropriate behaviour and any consequences used are natural and restorative. This supports children to reflect and learn.

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

The staff know the children well and are vigilant to any changes in their behaviour. When staff are concerned that children may use illegal substances, they take appropriate action and use research and resources to educate them. Staff have regular discussions with children about the risks and dangers. This approach is highly effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is passionate about providing good quality care for children, well organised and has excellent oversight of children’s care. All staff are aware of their responsibilities, which are diligently fulfilled.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team provides support for staff through regular supervisions, appraisals and personal development sessions. The staff feel valued and effectively supported. They have shown exceptional resilience and strength through what has been a difficult time for them physically and emotionally, supporting one child during a life- changing event. One member of staff commented, ‘I am grateful to have the support of such a strong team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is excellent collaboration with other key professionals to ensure effective communication and joined-up working for the children. One child’s social worker said staff ‘have been exceptional in supporting the child. They have gone above and beyond in supporting them.’ When the registered manager feels that decisions are not being made in the best interests of children, she will strongly advocate and challenge the professional network so that children’s voices are heard and their views are shared. Inspection report for children's home: SC413085 5 The staff are provided with training and development opportunities to ensure that they have the skills and experience needed to support the children. The deputy manager ensures that the workforce development plan is a live document that highlights staff training needs and plans ahead to ensure that all staff training is up to date and that those working towards a qualification are supported to achieve it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There has been a recent change in the provider’s senior leadership team, with a new responsible individual appointed. However, while the registered provider has informed Ofsted of the change, the provider has not updated the home’s statement of purpose to reflect this. This was addressed during the inspection and has not impacted on the children. Inspection report for children's home: SC413085 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should develop and keep under review a statement of purpose (regulation 16 and schedule 1) and ensure this is provided to HMCI following any reviews or changes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that information about the child is recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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 7

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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

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC413085 8 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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