Children's Home run by Ashwood Children‟s Care Home Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 1 Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens Care Home Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered in December 2019. The manager registered in July 2025. Since the last inspection, six children have lived at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Three of them were spoken with as part of the inspection.

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: requires improvement

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2024 Full Requires improvement 11/07/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good 23/02/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress because of living in the home. They are in good physical health. Staff support children with their emotional well-being by implementing a preferred therapeutic approach. Most of the children attend school, and the manager is a good advocate on behalf of children to overcome any barriers to learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and they invest in them. Children have positive relationships with most of the staff. Where any issues arise, leaders encourage staff to reflect and use a restorative approach. Staff use affirmation books to write messages of praise to the children. This supports their well-being and identity.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a pleasant and family feel to it. Staff consult children about their choice of decoration and how to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their interests and hobbies. Books, toys and games are available for children to access when they want.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from effective care planning, especially during periods of change. They access specialist help when needed, such as therapy. Staff help children to be more independent in line with their personal development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy spending time with their family and friends. Staff facilitate this in line with the children’s wishes. Staff promote children’s enjoyment, for example by taking them to activities, clubs or on holiday.

p.3

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

Children feel safe in the home, and staff keep them safe. Children can identify trusted adults whom they can approach for support. Staff understand each child’s needs and risks. Staff respond appropriately to concerns for children’s safety. Risk assessments and plans support staff in deciding how to respond.

p.3

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

If children go missing from home, staff take effective action to locate them as soon as possible. They complete searches of the local area and liaise with other external professional agencies and family members. Staff promote and encourage children to take risks in a positive way.

p.3

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

The staff draw on their therapeutic knowledge and skills and use this to de-escalate any difficult incidents with the children. They consistently employ a caring and sensitive approach toward the children. Consequently, children feel able to confide in staff. When needed, staff hold children in a way that is proportionate and justifiable and designed to keep the children and staff safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 4 Staff have a strong understanding of the risks of children being online. They use different ways to manage these risks and vulnerabilities, such as using monitoring tools and helping to educate children.

p.3

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

Leaders carry out background checks on staff to ensure they are safe and suitable to work with children. Leaders complete rigorous investigations into any concerns about staff care practice or behaviour, and they avoid unnecessary delays in completing these investigations.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is calm and confident in their leadership style. They show sound knowledge of the children and ways to care for them. The manager shows ambition for and investment in children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has strengthened their oversight to check the quality of care provided to the children. Staff promote children’s voices in records. The manager uses children’s wishes and feelings to drive improvements in practice. The manager promotes effective working relationships with others to support this.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel well supported by leaders and work well as a team. Leaders ensure they recruit staff for any vacancies as soon as possible. Leaders provide supervision and appraisal of staff that is holistic and constructive. They offer support as well as clear expectations for staff.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They recognise the need for greater stability following recent incidents of challenging behaviour. They have plans in place to achieve this, including allowing time before any new children move in.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders use staff meetings to promote awareness of the children’s needs. Leaders provide staff with the opportunity to reflect and discuss any issues. Staff write about children in a sensitive and caring manner.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. No requirements or recommendations have been raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 5

p.4

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: 2558515 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ashwood Childrens Care Home Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: G43a Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Burton-On-Trent, Derbyshire DE15 0YZ

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jonathan Cammiss

p.6

Inspector

Sam Saxby-Brown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 7 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.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7