Children's Home run by Aspireone Care Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 1 SC472325 Registered provider: Aspireone Care Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children spoke with the inspector.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. At the time of inspection, the manager had attended their fit person interview to determine their suitability to be registered.

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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2023 Full Outstanding 21/09/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are flourishing. Staff work hard to provide a settled and structured environment in which children feel safe and secure. They actively encourage children’s development and are proactive in supporting and meeting their daily needs. As a result, children make sustained progress in all areas of their lives.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff support children with love, affection, empathy and enthusiasm. Children have lived in the home for a significant period. They have developed caring relationships with staff, built on trust, nurture and clear boundaries. This supports children’s sense of being valued and fosters a strong sense of belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children speak very positively about the care they receive. Relationships between children and staff are effective and meaningful. When children are unable to verbalise their feelings, they express their care for staff in other ways, such as through songwriting and messages of affirmation. These positive relationships are a significant protective factor in helping to keep children safe.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Communication with professionals is highly effective. Children’s records demonstrate strong multi-agency partnership working to ensure the best possible care, experiences and outcomes for children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Respect for diversity and equality is embedded in all areas of staff practice. Staff make a conscious effort to respect children’s individuality and dignity. Children are encouraged to explore their identities freely and to share their learning with staff, which broadens their understanding and promotes acceptance.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s independent living skills are promoted in line with their age and level of understanding. Staff support children to develop essential life skills and undertake extensive work to help them understand the process of moving on without feeling rejected. When children leave the home, they receive thorough planning, support and guidance. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home. This transition was managed effectively and with care, providing reassurance during a time of uncertainty.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities both in the home and the community. They go on holidays and participate in experiences that support their well-being and enhance their overall development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote and support children’s relationships with important people in their lives. They teach children about positive and healthy relationships, which supports their social and emotional development and their ability to form meaningful connections in the future. Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 4 The home has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Both the interior and exterior are mostly well presented. While the kitchen has been refurbished, some areas of the home require attention, such as marked walls and cracks that need repair. The manager is aware of these issues. Photographs of the children and their achievements are displayed throughout the home, contributing to a homely and nurturing environment.

p.3

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

Children are safe. Risks to children have reduced since they moved into the home. Staff are clear about their responsibilities and understand how to respond to safeguarding concerns. Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints, physical interventions, medication errors, room searches, accidents, missing-from-home episodes or incidents of self-injurious behaviour.

p.4

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

Children are well supported to understand risky behaviours and why adults may be concerned about them. This helps to develop children’s ability to safeguard themselves in the future.

p.4

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

When allegations arise, they are taken seriously. Managers investigate concerns thoroughly, and information is shared with safeguarding professionals to ensure children’s safety. Additional work is undertaken with children to ensure that they feel safe to voice their concerns.

p.4

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

Children’s behaviour is managed restoratively. They are rewarded through both tangible rewards and verbal praise, as well as incentive schemes. Staff have a strong understanding of the children and how to motivate them effectively. Children’s incentive plans are regularly reviewed by managers, and the targets set are appropriate. The systems in place are effective and well suited to the children’s needs.

p.4

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

There are robust systems in place for the management, storage and administration of medication. Staff work with children to help them manage their own medication safely, in preparation for adulthood.

p.4

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

Recruitment practices are thorough and safe. All necessary checks are completed to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. The use of agency staff is minimised, where possible, and the manager utilises a pool of bank staff who are familiar with the home and the children. Several bank workers have since taken on permanent roles, providing consistency and continuity of care. This reduces the risks associated with high staff turnover.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, there has been a change in the leadership team. The previous registered manager left her role at the end of March 2025, and a new manager is now settling into the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 5 The new manager is an experienced, confident and inspirational leader. They possess the skills required to manage the home effectively and clearly understand their role. She is supported by a skilled deputy manager and an experienced head of care, both of whom know the home and the children extremely well. Together, they are in the early stages of forming a strong and cohesive leadership team.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear vision for the home. She has identified the home’s strengths and areas for development, along with the actions needed to drive improvement. Her approach to children and staff is positive and nurturing. In a short period, she has built strong relationships with the children, which has helped them to navigate the recent changes in their home. Her supportive leadership style ensures that both children and staff feel valued and well supported.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they are happy working in the home and provide positive feedback about the new manager. During much of the inspection period, staff morale had been low due to concerns about the previous management style and a culture they described as ‘worrying’. The responsible individual had not been fully aware of staff’s feelings, despite observing team dynamics, as concerns had not been raised directly with him. Leaders and managers now have these concerns high on their agenda and are committed to ensuring that staff feel supported moving forward.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is strong management oversight. The manager uses a range of audit tools to ensure effective monitoring of the home. This enables the prompt identification of any shortfalls in care or areas requiring improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 6

p.5

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: SC472325 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4 Lyme Drive, Lyme Vale Court, Parklands, Stoke-On- Trent, Staffordshire ST4 6NW

p.7

Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC472325 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 looked after children, 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