Children's home run by Aspris Care Central Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 1 SC476570 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company and provides care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties. Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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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: SC476570 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2024 Full Outstanding 26/04/2022 Full Outstanding 16/06/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Three children were present and all three children were spoken with during the inspection. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. No children have moved in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

This is a home where children thrive. All children have made exceptional progress because of the high standards of care from a long-standing and dedicated staff team. One child said that it is a ‘home from home’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making exceptional educational progress. There is an excellent liaison between education providers and the staff. One child, who was out of education for a long time, passed their GCSEs and went to prom. Staff are creative at being part of children’s educational achievements and ensure that they celebrate even the smallest milestones.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have an extensive understanding of how trauma affects children’s ability to trust adults. Staff show a lot of care and love by prioritising their time to be with children. Children respond positively to staff’s approaches, and they seek out security and reassurance. This has helped children to regain their confidence in adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Innovative approaches are used to help children to improve their independence skills. This included a 40-day challenge, in which the staff and managers engaged all the children. Children learned to do things that they had not done before. One child showed the inspector a painting that they did during this challenge and said how proud they were of it. The children learned important things about the environment and about their own strengths.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is decorated to the children’s taste. It is calm and inviting. The manager has been persistent in ensuring that there are specific spaces where staff and children can go to help their mental health and their physical health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children develop a real sense of permanence and belonging. Two children who moved on from the home had an exceptional move. Both children are still in touch with the staff and the children at the home. One social worker said, ‘[Child’s Name] would not have been able to move to supported accommodation if it wasn’t for all the work that the staff did.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children engage in an extensive number of purposeful activities that are based on their individual interests and hobbies. All children and staff recently went on a trip to Wales and went on a charity mountain walk. This was one child’s first time of being out of the country. One parent described this experience for the child as an ‘extraordinary adventure’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 4 The manager has created a unique environment where children are listened to, respected and trusted while ensuring that there are clear boundaries and expectations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff and the manager recognise the importance of supporting children to stay connected with important people in their lives. Staff and managers make a considerable effort to help children to spend time with those who are important to them. They support family members with additional needs to ensure that family time can take place and that it is positive for the child. This helps children to maintain important relationships outside of the home and increases support networks for the future.

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

Relationships between staff and children are strong and provide a foundation for children to feel safe and make progress. Managers and the staff have embedded a strong culture at the home, where children’s well-being is promoted. This has meant that two children have left this home less traumatised and more equipped to become independent.

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

Cohesive multi-disciplinary work ensures that each child’s individual strategies are fully considered and implemented effectively. Children are involved in the decisions made about their care. This has led to children feeling listened to.

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

The staff have a strong knowledge of the children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. Children have comprehensive individual documents. These are regularly reviewed and updated after any incidents. Children understand the risks to them very well and work actively with the staff to try and reduce these.

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

Children do not go missing from the home; they are happy living there. Children do not bully each other. They respect one another and are comfortable in each other’s presence.

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

Some children who previously were at risk from criminal exploitation can talk about the positive work by staff that has helped them to make changes in their lives.

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

The manager undertook an excellent piece of work with a child around the dangers of knife crime, ensuring that a local PCSO visited the home to speak to the child. There was extensive effort by the staff team to help the child. As a result, the child has a better understanding of the dangers of knife crime and there have been no incidents involving knives since then.

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

The in-house therapist works closely with the children and staff. Individual therapy is tailored to each child’s needs. Staff regularly meet with the therapist to monitor children’s progress and review the risks. Consequently, staff have a better understanding of children’s targets and are provided with purposeful, planned support to improve their emotional resilience.

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

Staff consistently encourage positive behaviour and place a strong emphasis on rewards and praise. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is suitably experienced; she provides confident leadership of the care delivered at the home. She is dedicated, skilled and highly knowledgeable in supporting children with their individual needs. Experienced senior staff complement the leadership team, which is overseen by a dedicated and committed responsible individual.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong advocate for the children. She is determined that any decisions in respect of children are well thought out and in children’s best interests. This has included challenging other professionals when necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and the staff are collectively committed to achieving the best outcomes for the children. The engagement in staff meetings is excellent. This forum is used to discuss theory-based research that is embedded into staff’s day-to-day work. This has contributed to children making progress. The manager is always looking for ways to improve practice in response to the changing needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has made significant effort to ensure that staff receive high-quality and purposeful training. Consequently, staff develop a range of skills that help them to confidently support the children. Staff spoke highly of the effectiveness of the training that they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from a stable staff team. All staff have worked there for several years. The staff feel very highly valued by the management team. The manager recognises their unquestionable commitment to the children. This has led to the manager gaining exceptional support from a highly motivated staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a clear insight into the progress and development of each child. She regularly monitors and reviews each child’s progress and development, which enables her to quickly identify any trends or patterns. She has a very good understanding of the strengths and areas of development of the home and uses both internal and external monitoring to ensure that high standards of care are maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

One recommendation has been raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role, including external agency or bank staff, have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant timescales. Any staff for whom the timescales have been extended should be supported to achieve the qualification as soon as possible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: SC476570 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Barton Close, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1SJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Batchelor

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Inspector

Saeeda Fatima, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC476570 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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