Children's Home run by Affinity Childrens Services Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2746965 1 Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for three children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in post since August 2024. The manager has submitted their application to become registered with Ofsted. The provider has appointed a new responsible individual, who commenced their role in April 2025. Ofsted will consider their suitability.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Two children live in the home; one child contributed to the inspection, but the other child declined to share their views.

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 requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

good

There has been no enforcement action taken, but due to increased concerns, a monitoring visit was completed on 23 January 2025. Serious and widespread Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 2 concerns were identified but leaders had already identified the shortfalls and had implemented a plan to address these. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 3

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 4

p.3

improvement to be good

Two children are living in the home, and one child has experienced an unplanned move from the home since the monitoring visit in January 2025.

p.4

improvement to be good

There was a period of instability for one child as their time living in the home came to an end. Leaders advocated on behalf of the child to ensure their views and wishes about their care were understood by professionals. A range of strategies were attempted to reduce incidents, which resulted in an increase in agency staff working in the home. On some occasions, children have found it difficult when they have not known staff who are caring for them.

p.4

improvement to be good

From children’s starting points, they are making considerable progress with their learning. Children attend school regularly but consistent lateness has reduced their overall attendance record. Punctuality in school for both children has decreased in recent months. The manager is considering strategies to support children to attend school on time.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children are in good health and are supported by staff to ensure their needs are met. One child is being supported by staff while health professionals investigate the possibility of a hereditary condition. The manager considers the needs of children to ensure they have access to specialist services to meet their needs. Creative support and working with professionals and family means one child now receives bespoke care.

p.4

improvement to be good

Relationships important to children are maintained. Staff support children to travel to and from their hometowns to spend time with family. The manager works well with family members who are important to the children. As a result, children benefit from consistent approaches and support.

p.4

improvement to be good

The home provides a welcoming environment that is homely and provides a safe, secure space for children. The home is maintained to a high standard, and it is comfortable for children to relax in. Children have their own bedrooms that are personalised. Communal spaces provide them with opportunities to enjoy a range of activities and socialise with each other and staff.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff are not consistently following children’s plans. There are inconsistent approaches used by staff in response to incidents. This practice contributes to an increase in incidents that expose children to more risks. On one occasion, a child left the home and was in the community for several hours before staff were aware the Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 5 child was missing from home. On another occasion, there was a delay in staff checking a child’s welfare after receiving information suggesting that they were under the influence of a substance. Poor monitoring of children and delays in responding to a serious concern mean that children are not always kept safe.

p.4

improvement to be good

There has been one physical intervention, which was proportionate to the situation. The manager reviewed the incident, which was recorded in a timely manner. Due to several changes in the staff team, some staff are not trained in restraint. The manager has not provided these staff with clear guidance about their role in responding to incidents where restraint is required. As a result, one staff member who was not trained in the home’s model of restraint was involved in the physical intervention. There is a plan for all staff to complete training.

p.5

improvement to be good

There has been one complaint since the last inspection. Without delay, leaders completed a detailed investigation and took appropriate action. Lessons learned from the complaint have been implemented to the care children receive and the support for staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager understands each child’s experiences, personalities, needs and risks and has built a strong relationship with the children in the short time she has been supporting them.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring systems are not yet fully effective. Except for the manager, there are considerable gaps in the supervision of staff. Some staff have not received a supervision for six months. This means staff do not have time to reflect on how they contribute to supporting children and receive guidance that will improve their practice and help children to progress.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not have their performance appraised annually by the manager, and the workforce development plan has not been reviewed by the current manager. As a result, there is no clear overview of the team’s skills and knowledge.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Children’s plans do not fully reflect the requirements outlined by the local authority. Plans are reviewed each month by staff but lack scrutiny and contain errors in recording and outdated information. This means children’s plans do not reflect the current circumstances of each child.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Induction arrangements do not prepare new staff for working in the home. As a result, leaders cannot be assured that staff are competent. A new induction plan has been introduced and will be used to support new and existing staff to ensure a consistent induction into the home. The manager received a detailed induction plan, but this has not been completed within the expected timescale.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

During an unsettled two months in the home, an additional waking night member of staff supported the home. This need was largely met by agency staff. On some Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 6 occasions, there were more agency staff in the home than staff who are employed by the organisation. While at times this was necessary to help keep children safe, there were missed opportunities to use the two deputies in the home who work alongside the manager in the week to provide greater stability and familiarity to children. As a result, children have not always been cared for by those who know them best. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 7

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(h)) 30 May 2025

p.7

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

that staff— 30 May 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 8 assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.8

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

p.8

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.8

Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience;

p.8

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 30 May 2025

p.8

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that no more than half the staff on duty at any one time, by day or night, at the home should be from an external agency. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.17)

p.8

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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 9 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: 2746965 10

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Services Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Coach House, Horse Fair, Rugeley WS15 2EL

p.10

Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 11 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.

p.10

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.11

Inspector

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

p.11

Inspector

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

p.11