Children's home run by Albrighton Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 1 Registered provider: Albrighton Care 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

The home is owned and operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and was seen as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 28 April 2023. She holds a diploma in leadership, health and social care at level 5.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2025 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/11/2022 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has remained living in the home. Relationships between staff and the child are positive. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s needs and show that they care. They are familiar with the child’s likes and dislikes, which helps them to plan appropriate activities such as visits to play centres and swimming. As a result, the child enjoys spending time with all staff members.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff actively encourage the child to engage in education. Prior to moving into the home, the child did not attend school. Since admission, staff have worked closely with the child’s school to support their educational progress. This consistent and collaborative approach has resulted in the child attending school daily and showing improved engagement in class.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to develop independence skills through regular practical activities. This includes helping the child to improve fine motor skills, such as learning to use a fork. Staff also support the child with personal care routines, including dressing and brushing their teeth. As a result, the child is gradually becoming more confident in these areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff promote family time and support the child to maintain relationships with family members and previous carers. One former carer told the inspector, ‘When I was living in [location], they would take him and come out of their way. They are looking after him well, I am very happy with them.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is child-focused and welcoming. Children’s toys, pictures and artwork are displayed throughout the home. The home has recently undergone renovation, with the kitchen and dining areas now separated. This has created a more suitable and bespoke space for the child, contributing to their sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders generally ensure that statutory documents are in place. However, the minutes from the child’s most recent education planning meeting have not been received, despite the meeting taking place three months ago. There is limited evidence of follow-up, and it is unclear how leaders are assured that staff are working in line with agreed targets.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff mostly ensure that the child’s health needs are met. The child is registered with local health services and attends regular appointments. Annual health assessments are completed consistently. However, leaders have not ensured that all recommended actions have been followed through. A referral identified in the assessment has not been made, and there is no evidence of follow-up with relevant professionals. As a result, not all health needs have been assessed in a timely manner. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 4

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

Leaders and staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the child’s behavioural patterns. This enables them to identify potential triggers and respond in ways that support the child effectively. Risk management plans are clear, regularly reviewed and consistently followed by staff. As a result, incidents and physical interventions are infrequent.

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

Key-work sessions are tailored to the child’s individual needs. Staff use the child’s preferred communication style to deliver education on a range of topics. For example, staff support the child to understand fire procedures through practical demonstrations. This consistent approach has led to the child regularly engaging in fire drills and understanding how to stay safe during such events.

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

Leaders ensure that safeguarding arrangements are in place during the night. Due to the child’s presenting behaviours in the evening, additional staffing has been funded. This ensures that the child remains safe overnight.

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

Medication is stored and recorded safely. Leaders ensure that staff are suitably trained and complete a competency assessment before administering medication. Since the last inspection, there has been one medication error. Leaders responded appropriately by sharing learning with the staff team and ensuring competency before further administration. No further errors have occurred.

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

The child has not raised any complaints or allegations since the last inspection. Leaders and staff ensure that the child understands how to share concerns. Staff have developed a strong understanding of the child’s non-verbal cues and behaviours, enabling them to identify when the child may be unhappy. This contributes to the child feeling settled and secure in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a committed and suitably qualified manager. She has recently appointed a new assistant manager, who has already developed a good understanding of the child’s needs and those of the staff team. This has contributed to the child making consistent progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders regularly review the quality of care provided by staff. The manager and responsible individual carry out robust audits, which help to identify staff development needs at an early stage. This supports continued improvement across the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by leaders. One staff member told the inspector, ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working here with great support from [manager name], who has helped me build on my knowledge and confidence as an assistant manager.’ Staff receive regular supervision, which includes reflection on practice and the child’s current progress. As a result, staff are motivated to develop in their roles and provide high-quality care. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 5 Leaders provide staff with bespoke learning opportunities. The manager leads focused discussions in team meetings to review changes to the child’s care and behaviour plans. Training is tailored to the child’s needs and includes topics such as Makaton, self- injurious behaviours, and personal care. This ensures that staff remain suitably trained and equipped to meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Not all staff currently hold relevant qualifications. One staff member has not completed their level 4 qualification within the required timeframe and is now working unqualified beyond the two-year limit. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 6

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Statutory requirement

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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may defer the relevant date if the individual—

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Requirement Due date

does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or

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Requirement Due date

works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part-time basis. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b) (6)(a)(b)) 9 October 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s case records (regulation 36) are kept up to date and stored securely while the children remain in the home. Case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. Children’s case records must be kept for 75 years from the date of birth of the child, Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 7 or, if the child dies before the age of 18, for 15 years from the date of his or her death. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff work with the child’s placing authority to enable proper and immediate access to any specialist medical support required, and challenge them through regulation 5 - engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met, if this doesn’t happen. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)

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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: 1263329 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Albrighton Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 15 Heritage Park, Hayes Way, Cannock WS11 7LT

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1263329 9 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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Inspector

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