Children's Home run by Aspire Care and Education Services Ltd in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 1 Registered provider: Aspire Care and Education Services Ltd

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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 privately owned home provides care for up to nine children with learning difficulties. It is one of two homes operated by the same provider. At the time of inspection, nine children were resident at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2024 Full Outstanding 20/03/2023 Full Good 17/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have additional health, education and communication needs. The staff adapt their approaches to meet the children’s particular needs. As a result, the children are each making progress. One child is successfully developing their personal hygiene independence skills because of the staff’s support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff use social stories to help the children to understand when and why they are moving into or out of the home. Any moves are well managed and child centred.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the additional health needs that many of the children have. They work in close partnership with a range of professionals to ensure that the children maintain optimum health. The manager advocates for children when there are shortfalls, to ensure that children have access to all the support and services they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered a wide range of activities inside the home and in the community. Staff encourage them to try new things. They enjoy regular days out and some children have been supported to recently experience their first holiday.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to have fun, socialise and build friendships through community and house days. The staff organise periodic activities in the home to celebrate events such as Chinese New Year, Halloween and Christmas. These events are celebrated with decorations, themed food and related activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the children’s education. The children have high attendance and are making individual progress from their starting points. When children do not yet have access to a formal education provision, staff provide educational activities and opportunities for them to learn about the world around them. The manager advocates for the children to have the education they are entitled to and is determined in her efforts.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s bedrooms are personalised and they have individualised name plaques on their doors. Children’s photographs are displayed on canvases throughout the home. This makes the house feel homely and supports the children’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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

The manager and staff keep the children safe. The home is staffed by a core permanent team, which is supplemented by regular agency workers. All the staff know the children well. They are aware of the potential risks and vulnerabilities for the children and know how to reduce these. Partner professionals are confident that the manager and staff keep the children safe. One social worker said that the staff ensure that the children’s ‘safety and well-being remain a top priority’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 4 The suitably trained staff rarely use restraint. When they do use restraint, it is used as a last resort. The manager maintains good oversight of all incidents. She ensures that there are planned conversations with both children and staff following any incidents of restraint to look at any lessons learned. Staff are trained in the home’s model of de- escalation. Staff promote positive behaviour using praise and rewards while maintaining

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

appropriate boundaries. Staffing levels are high to meet the children’s complex needs in line with their care plans.

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

Significant incidents and allegations in this home are rare. When these do occur, the manager ensures that they are well managed, and that the appropriate authorities are notified. The home conducts internal investigations, as agreed with the local designated safeguarding officer, following any concern or allegation. Necessary processes are followed and suitable evidence collated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a strong and committed management team. The manager knows the strengths and areas of development of the home well. The manager has clearly documented plans on further improvements to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and closely monitors their progress. The manager works well with partner professionals, and the children’s achievements and progress are routinely shared with social workers. Monthly reports and children’s newspapers celebrate the children’s achievements. These partner professionals are complimentary about the home and staff team. They describe the home in terms such as ‘nurturing’ and ‘supportive’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has seen some changes in staff. In response, the manager has reviewed exit interviews from leavers in order to identify any themes and patterns to support future successful recruitment and retention. New staff experience a clear induction and are provided with appropriate shadowing opportunities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about working in the home. They feel well supported both personally and professionally. Good quality supervision takes place regularly. Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities. The manager encourages staff to disseminate knowledge in specific areas at the well-attended team meetings. Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 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: 2654906 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspire Care and Education Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rift Accounting House, 160 Eureka Park, Upper Pemberton, Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN25 4AZ

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Inspector

Cassie Martin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2654906 7 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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