Children's home run by Affinity Childrens Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 1 Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Care Ltd

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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 two children who have had adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in post since June 2025 and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted. The registered provider has appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection, and both were seen as part of the inspection. One child spoke to the inspector.

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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

Date of last inspection: 12 November 2024

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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: 2779604 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. They benefited from a carefully planned move. Placing authorities for both children were fully consulted, together with parents and children, to ensure that the plan considered both children’s needs. The child moved from another home operated by the same provider, allowing core staff to move across with them. This continuity of care ensured that both children were supported by familiar staff they know and trust.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are aspirational about children’s education. Both children have previously experienced significant gaps in their education. One child has been supported to return to education. They are thriving and their attendance has significantly improved. There are barriers for the other child in attending school. However, those who know the child said, Staff are doing all they can to support the child. They are creative in their approach and while the child is not attending school, they maintain in a good routine.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health and have access to local universal services. When there is a need for specialist health support, the manager ensures that it is provided for children. Specialist training is available to staff to ensure that they can support children when they are experiencing complex issues. Care provided is sympathetic to children’s needs and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s individual needs and identities, consistently treating them with dignity and respect. Children are supported to explore and express their identity, by staff who are sensitive, responsive and attuned to their emotional and cultural needs. Staff receive training in the diverse and specific needs of the children in their care, which contributes to a culture of acceptance in the home. As a result, children feel supported, valued and safe, in an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships that are important to children are maintained and supported. Children travel to their hometowns regularly to spend time with family and friends and retain links in their local communities. Managers have formed strong working relationships with children’s families to ensure effective partnership working, and essential information is shared with those people who are significant to the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s hobbies are encouraged, and staff provide them with new experiences. Both children were offered the opportunity to have a holiday during the summer. One child attended their first concert, making treasured memories. One child’s social worker said, ‘We feel the home is the best place for them. They have improved so much, the difference is like night and day.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 4

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

Staff have a clear understanding of safeguarding thresholds and processes in the home. They understand their responsibilities and how to keep children safe. Recent challenges in the home have resulted in a sudden increase in missing-from-home incidents, after a long and settled period. Leaders have prioritised the needs of the children and have arranged for additional staff to support children at night. Staff have responded with resilience and demonstrated their ability to work with confidence when incidents arise, keeping children at the forefront of their practice.

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

Managers work well with children’s social workers and the wider team to jointly consider a range of strategies and approaches to stabilise behaviours and reduce incidents. Managers and leaders remain committed to supporting children and are working with professionals to address the recent challenges. Professionals have met on several occasions to review children’s care plans.

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

Incidents of physical restraint are rare. When restraint is used by staff, it is proportionate, and a detailed report is completed, with prompt managerial oversight. However, on one occasion, there was a missed opportunity to debrief staff involved. Furthermore, the debrief with the child was carried out by a member of staff who was involved in the hold. This practice may affect the child’s ability to speak openly about their experience.

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

Managers understand children’s needs and potential risks. Staff take a measured approach to risk management. They are not risk averse and boundaries are fluid. This ensures children have appropriate support depending on their individual needs and circumstances at the time.

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

The home has received one complaint. Leaders ensured that a detailed investigation was completed without delay and all key agencies were informed. Appropriate steps were taken throughout the investigation, ensuring the needs of children remained at the forefront of the investigation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager previously worked in the home and a planned transition with the outgoing manager ensured that there was a smooth handover of responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is supported by a consistent and stable staff team. No staff have left since the last inspection and only on rare occasions has the manager needed to use agency staff. Staff are safely recruited. Unanimous feedback from staff confirmed that they feel well supported by the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have largely completed all mandatory training and where there are gaps, dates have been allocated for staff to attend. Additional training on child-specific needs is made available to staff and where areas for staff development have been identified, Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 5 training has been arranged to support ongoing learning and development. The team meets monthly, which allows for additional support and peer learning opportunities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The effectiveness of monitoring systems is mixed. On some occasions, managers have identified shortfalls in the reporting and recording of incidents. However, on other occasions, incorrect information in children’s plans has not been identified and does not reflect their current circumstances.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Due to the recent challenges in the home, supervision for some staff has not been completed in line with the home’s supervision policy. Appraisals that were due in the summer are yet to be completed. The responsible individual has arranged for all staff with supervisory responsibilities to be retrained in supervision to improve overall quality and provide greater opportunities for reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children live in a home which is personalised to their tastes, nicely presented and has a welcoming and homely feel. However, one child’s mattress had considerable wear, with a visible dip in the centre resulting in reduced support. While a new mattress was promptly provided by leaders in the home, the issue had been previously overlooked by staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(h)) 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is

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Requirement Due date

authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(c)) 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and 31 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 7 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of its children and is a homely, domestic environment. Children’s bedrooms furniture should be well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2779604 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Affinity Children’s Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Azzurri House, Walsall Road, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 0RB

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Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2779604 9 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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