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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 1 Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in November 2023. The registered manager left the home in July 2024. A new manager was appointed but has left since the last inspection. They were not registered at the time of leaving.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager was appointed in July 2025 but has not yet submitted their application to register to Ofsted. The provider has also appointed a new responsible individual, who commenced their role in April 2025. Ofsted will consider their suitability.

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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.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 2 The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The same two children are living in the home as at the time of the previous inspection. Children and staff have formed strong relationships and children feel a sense of belonging. Staff members understand children’s needs and how best to support them. One external professional said, ‘[Staff are] supportive, children are happy, and incidents have reduced in the home.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. The high-quality of the home environment contributes to a nurturing atmosphere. Children are supported to spend time with those people who are important to them. Key events and children’s achievements are celebrated. For example, for one child’s school prom, the home was decorated, and the child was taken to the event in an exclusive car. Attention to things that are important to children gives them a sense of pride and builds lifelong memories.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, incidents have considerably reduced, including missing- from-home episodes. Staff have grown in confidence, ensuring that boundaries are implemented and children’s routines are followed. There is greater structure to daily life and staff are more experienced and equipped to support children.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one significant incident while a child was out with friends and was missing overnight. Managers and leaders have worked effectively with partnership agencies to ensure that the child receives appropriate support and to mitigate the risk of further incidents. Ongoing work with the child to support their emotional needs and consider their next steps around independence work has been given careful consideration. This has meant the child is safe, but the manager has not been risk adverse in ensuring that appropriate support and education are in place to help the child navigate their next steps as they prepare for independence.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans and risk assessments are now being kept under review by staff and updated when needed. As a result, these documents remain accurate and provide clear guidance to staff about how best to support children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are continuing to make progress with their education. Both children are attending schools. One child has completed school and has secured a college place in September. One child has some challenges around attendance, but the manager works closely with the school to address these barriers, including the introduction to vocational based taster sessions to support learning engagement.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a new manager and new responsible individual. Shortfalls noted at the last inspection have been addressed. Staff are now receiving monthly supervision and value the support and opportunity to reflect. Staff Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 4 feel ‘supported and feel the home is much calmer and settled’. Documents in need of review, including the fire risk assessment and workforce development plan, have been updated to reflect the current needs of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers review staffing arrangements; the use of agency workers has greatly reduced. There have been occasions each month where agency staff have been required, but this was due to unforeseen issues when one member of staff left the home without notice. Where possible, the same agency workers are requested to work in the home to ensure consistency for children. Managers are working towards recruiting a full staff team and are in the process of on-boarding new members.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager has made progress and the requirements from the last inspection have been met in full. Clear progress had been made in the home. However, a shortfall in safer recruitment highlighted an oversight of one staff member’s qualification. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/05/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 6

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 1/10/2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 8 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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