Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who experience emotional and social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in September 2017 and the manager registered on 22 November 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The inspector spoke to the child.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 19 December 2023

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/12/2023 Full Good 05/01/2023 Full Good 25/10/2022 Full Inadequate 03/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has positive relationships with the staff, who understand their needs well. The staff are child centred and put the child’s needs first. The child says they are happy and settled at the home. The child said, ‘I like living here. I like all the staff.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move was well planned and in line with their wishes and feelings and all relevant local authority documentation was provided. However, two children have moved out of the home and their placement plans are not included in their records. we’re not available during this inspection. Furthermore, there was no planning for one child’s move out of the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health. The staff support the child to attend all health appointments. The manager ensures that the right support is in place to meet the child’s individual needs. This support enables the child to achieve good health outcomes. For example, their emotional health needs are being addressed by the therapist, who has identified a gardening activity to support them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged and supported to safely take part in a range of activities inside and outside of the home. Activities include arcade club, bowling, baking and crazy golf.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to remain in contact with their family and spend time with them. This encourages the child to stay connected with people who are important to them and supports their identity and sense of belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved into the home in October and has not been accessing any education since then. The registered manager has advocated for the child to access formal education. There is effective communication between staff and education providers to identify an appropriate provision.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a nurturing environment where the child’s views are acknowledged and understood. The child engages in monthly consultation about the home, the staff who care for them and their experience. Staff then provide feedback to the child on their specific requests. For example, the child wanted to go home for their birthday and the staff have advocated to ensure the child’s needs are met.

p.3

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

The child’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current risks and behaviours. They provide staff with clear guidance on the action to take to keep the child safe. This helps to ensure that the child is safeguarded effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 4 A therapist visits the home weekly, working closely with staff to understand the needs of the child. The staff apply strategies learned from the therapist to respond to the child in a way which supports them to manage their feelings and behaviour.

p.3

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

There have been three incidents of the child going missing from home. Staff follow the home’s missing-from-home policy and are proactive in seeking their safe return. The child is welcomed warmly by staff when they return home.

p.4

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

Staff promote positive behaviours in the home. Positive rewards outweigh the use of consequences. The child has incentives in place to support positive behaviour. The child participates in the planning of their goals.

p.4

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

The home environment is clean, safe and welcoming. The child’s bedroom is personalised and the child is settled and happy. Health and safety checks are conducted regularly and health and safety risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic and is committed to driving the development of the home. The manager has a clear vision for the home and is supported by an experienced deputy manager. They manage the home effectively and promptly address any shortfalls identified. Staff understand and respond effectively to the needs of the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with external agencies and professionals are effective and positive. The registered manager collaborates closely with professionals to ensure that the child receives the right support. Significant events are shared appropriately with relevant authorities.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment processes are followed by the leaders and managers. The staff team is stable and there have been no new members of staff since the child moved into the home. The home does not use agency or bank staff.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager makes use of the effective monitoring and reviewing systems. Scheduled reviews include annual staff appraisals, and staff supervision and team meetings are held monthly. Other review mechanisms are used in response to specific incidents. Existing monitoring and review systems help the manager evaluate the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff take part in a thorough induction process. Staff receive regular supervision from the manager or suitably trained senior practitioners. Supervision considers the child’s needs and reflects on staff practice. Staff are given opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff say that they feel confident in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager creates an environment where professional development is actively promoted and supported. All staff said they feel professionally supported. However, Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 5 research in practice is not evident and this would support the staff to meet the needs of the child more effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 6

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the staff can access appropriate facilities and resources. Specifically, they should be able to take into account and act on research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure the child is supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education. Specifically, they should be engaged in suitable structured activities to support educational resilience. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that children are supported to move on from the home positively. The home has an important role in supporting each child leaving the home in the period immediately before their departure. Specifically, the registered

p.6

Recommendations

person should work with the placing authority to ensure that each child’s transition is planned and help each child to prepare for leaving, both practically and emotionally. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.9)

p.6

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: 1262657 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1262657 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8