Children's home run by Ashwood Children’s Care Home Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2778266 1 Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens Care Home 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 children’s home is operated by a private company. It was registered with Ofsted in May 2024 and provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. One child was living in the home at the time of inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager. The manager was registered for this home as part of the registration. The manager is registered to manage two homes. The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2778266 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been welcomed into the home since it was registered. This move was managed sensitively and the child is making good progress from their starting point.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The members of the staff team are nurturing and committed and speak fondly about the child. For example, staff write and share positive praise with the child every day to celebrate their achievements. This gives them a sense of belonging and helps to build confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was spoken with as part of the inspection. The child likes the staff and can identify trusted adults. This creates a comfortable environment, where the child feels able to discuss things that are worrying them with confidence that staff will help them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with appropriate health services and staff promote a healthy lifestyle. The child’s emotional and mental health is supported by a multidisciplinary team. Staff encourage the child to attend and engage in regular therapy sessions. This ensures that the child’s health needs are well met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide opportunities for the child to take part in activities of their choice, including trips to theme parks and to see animals. The child is helped to develop their independence skills, including opportunities to cook foods, and is helped to learn about budgeting and household tasks. This supports the child to prepare for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is being supported to re-engage in education. Barriers to learning are professionally challenged by the registered manager. Extra-curricular activities and home tuition have been put in place as an interim measure. This ensures continuity in learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a good standard and is comfortable, with pictures and lots of games and toys. However, the child is unable to access some areas of the home at night. This restriction has not been formally considered as part of the plans for their care.

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

Staff talk with the child about topics that are important to them, for example online safety, how to manage feelings and the importance of taking prescribed medications. This helps the child to learn about risk and encourages them to make safer choices.

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

Managers and staff understand the importance of keeping children safe. They are confident in raising and escalating concerns about children’s welfare.

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

When there have been safeguarding concerns raised by the child, these have been taken seriously. The manager shares information and works closely with other professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2778266 3 Concerns are escalated and investigated where necessary. This promotes children’s safety and welfare.

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

Physical intervention is used as a last resort to keep the child and others safe. Staff receive training in how to physically intervene safely and confidently. When staff have supported the child through particularly challenging times, incidents have increased. The manager has oversight of all incidents and opportunities are provided to staff and the child to reflect and learn from these.

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

The manager has effective recruitment systems in place. This reduces the risk of children being cared for by unsuitable individuals.

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

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities and risks. These are managed effectively. However, risk assessments do not include all of the child’s known risks. This makes it difficult for new staff to have a clear understanding of the child’s plans and risk management strategies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager consistently role models a caring and nurturing approach towards both staff and the child. This approach has created a caring and motivated staff team that provides consistent and effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A priority for the registered manager and staff is understanding the needs, wishes and feelings of the child. For example, when meetings with the child take place, the registered manager ensures a direct response to their requests and gives positive praise. This helps the child to feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular, effective supervision enables staff to reflect on their practice and identify any areas for development. Additionally, monthly team meetings are informative and are used by the manager to upskill the staff team. For example, staff have completed quizzes about the child’s care plan. This good support helps staff to understand how best to support the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses effective monitoring systems. This means that she has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. This improves the quality of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake a wide range of training that is specific to the child’s needs. This includes the organisation’s therapist regularly meeting with staff and delivering training to ensure that they fully understand and implement the home’s therapeutic model. Inspection report for children’s home: 2778266 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that just as in a family home, children are able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. This specifically relates to locked areas of the home at night which are not detailed in the child’s care planning arrangements. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)  The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks. This specifically relates to ensuring that risk assessments include all relevant information relating to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality

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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: 2778266 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens Care Home Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: G43a Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Burton-on- Trent, Staffordshire DE15 0YZ

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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2778266 6 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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