Children's home run by NASHE - UK LTD

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager and the home registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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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. 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: 2783240 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Findings from the inspection

The inspector identified serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection. In particular, there are practices that lead to children’s welfare not being safeguarded and promoted.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager works tirelessly to prevent senior leaders’ decisions from negatively affecting the children’s care and experiences. However, she has been unable to mitigate all decisions that senior leaders have made. For example, staff who are highly trained to manage one child’s complex health needs were directed by senior leaders to work in another home in the organisation. This resulted in there being times when the child did not have enough trained staff available to respond to their health concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders did not consider the effect on children’s relationships with their preferred staff when they were moved to other homes. As a result, children have not experienced continuity in their care and have felt unable to trust in their relationships with staff. Staff who had been moved visited the children on their rest days to ensure that the children realised these staff had not forgotten them. One staff member was able to return to the home when they were no longer needed elsewhere.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand safeguarding procedures and address immediate safeguarding concerns with senior leaders. However, when these concerns are shared, senior leaders do not respond effectively and do not share information with safeguarding partners.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders have failed to arrange appropriate support for the registered manager during the absence of the proposed responsible individual. No interim arrangements have been made to ensure that the registered manager receives regular supervision or managerial oversight. This has left the manager being unsupported by senior leaders.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders did not consult the registered manager when deciding to move a child into the home. The manager responded effectively and worked with colleagues and the local authority to ensure that the child’s move into the home was smooth.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy their roles and being with the children. Staff speak highly of the registered manager and her unwavering support for them and the children. Staff are highly trained to meet the children’s needs and understand the children well.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have sensitively supported one child with noise sensitivities in coping with the fire detection system. The child was supported to understand the need for fire safety procedures, and silent drills have taken place. This has helped the child to learn how to respond to fire concerns. The child is now able to manage the sound of the fire alarm and participates in fire drills. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Findings from the inspection

There have been no medication errors since the last inspection. Staff understand the importance of handling medication appropriately. Staff are in regular communication with health professionals regarding children’s health needs. Staff respond effectively when children are unwell. Staff seek appropriate medical support to ensure children get better.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to have relationships with their families. When there are complex family dynamics, the manager and staff work closely with relevant professionals to advocate for the children. As a result, children can enjoy time with the people who are important to them.

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Findings from the inspection

Any damage in the home is addressed promptly. There is a maintenance team available that staff contact when repairs are required.

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Findings from the inspection

Children no longer sign a register when entering or leaving the home, and notice boards have been removed. The environment is much more homely as a result.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirement made at the last inspection is outside the scope of this visit. This will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2025 Full Good 21/01/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that there are sufficient staff on duty who are trained to manage children’s complex health needs.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered provider must ensure that when safeguarding concerns are raised with them, they refer these concerns to safeguarding partners. 5 December 2025

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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— 5 December 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that the movement of staff between homes does not impact on the relationships children have built with those staff. 5 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure appropriate levels of support and supervision for the registered manager. 5 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that the registered person is involved in all decisions to move children into the home. 5 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that staff— 1 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff take effective action when children are missing from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff are aware of safeguarding processes.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that staff are aware of all professionals involved with the children and their roles.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 8 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 Farmbrough Close, Aylesbury HP20 1DQ

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Inspector

Louise Webling, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2783240 9 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspector

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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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