Children's Home run by Aspiration House Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 1 Registered provider: Aspiration House 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 operated and provides care for up to eight children with special educational needs, autism spectrum disorder and/or atypical autism, special educational needs/disabilities SEND.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home, and they contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a manager who is registered with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 18 November 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 November 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 2555505 2

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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

Following the last full inspection, the manager developed an action plan to address the shortfalls identified from that inspection. This plan outlined measures they would take to ensure the statutory requirements were met. In addition to the action plan, the leadership team has reviewed some internal working practices and processes and made changes to strengthen these.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has recently resigned from their role. However, they have not yet ended their registration with Ofsted. Additionally, there is no suitable individual in post. The deputy manager is managing the home on a day-to-day basis. While she is committed to this role, there is a lack of experience and qualifications to draw on, particularly in relation to strategic decision-making at the home. The senior leadership team is visiting on a weekly basis. Through these visits, care of the children alongside procedures are being reviewed to ensure they are purposeful and appropriate and are focused on children being safeguarded. Despite these arrangements, there remain vulnerabilities within the management structure that still require strengthening.

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Findings from the inspection

During the period between the last full inspection and this inspection, two of the children had to be moved to another provision within the company due to a health and safety issue at the home. This matter was rectified, and they returned to the home. However, one of these children subsequently left.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been improvements to conditions at the home. Of note is the refurbishment of some bathroom areas. Regular health and safety checks are carried out by staff and the senior leadership team to ensure all issues are identified and resolved as soon as possible. There remain areas for improvement in the home, particularly to ensure that spaces feel welcoming and inviting for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk management assessments for all the children have been updated to reflect children’s precise needs and how staff can respond to these needs. Senior leaders have identified areas requiring further development regarding these assessments to make them stronger and aid staff care practice in keeping children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Senior leaders have introduced new documentation to improve the recording of any incidents involving children. This will help to ensure that all incidents are thoroughly recorded and shared with external professional agencies and parents. Leaders and managers have recognised that it is not appropriate to sanction children financially if they have caused damage during incidents, and this practice has now stopped. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 3 Senior leaders have acknowledged the need for staff to enhance their understanding and competency regarding restrictive practices. Training has been provided to staff. However, some staff are yet to complete this training.

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Findings from the inspection

Medication errors have continued to be made. The medication administration policy has been updated. However, not all staff have received updated medication training, including the deputy manager. This has meant there have been occasions when children have been administered medication by staff who have not had their competency assessed to do this. In addition, when staff have made errors, they have not undertaken the necessary training to show their competency to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Time has been taken to update the children’s guide. It has been adapted to reflect a format that children with additional communication needs would understand more easily.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff speak positively about the recent management and procedural changes. They stated that they can raise concerns with the deputy manager and that there is an open-door policy in operation to raise any issues they may have or receive support. They feel they are being consistent in their approach with the children and that continues to support their progression.

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Findings from the inspection

The members of the senior leadership team are proactive in their approach. They are reviewing some historical practice at the home to then strengthen safeguarding measures for children going forward. When concerns have arisen, they have been quick to respond, and they have shared relevant information with appropriate professionals. If necessary, staff have been suspended pending the outcome of investigations.

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Findings from the inspection

Of the requirements made at the full inspection, one has been met, and the others remain in place. Although there have been some improvements in practice, more time is required to fully embed these changes and demonstrate consistent practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/05/2024 Full Good 02/05/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 5

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(5)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that the home is maintained, actioning any outstanding repairs to the home and ensuring that the living accommodation is safe for the children. In addition, staff must record any instances of physical intervention. 5 January 2026

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 5 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 6 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to sufficient staff being on duty to manage the children’s assessed needs and risks. In addition, the registered person needs to ensure that all staff are suitably trained and qualified to undertake physical interventions.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23(1) (2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that all staff are competent in administering medication to ensure consistent practice and avoid errors being made, and for children to receive the right medication at the right time. In addition, the medication policy needs to reflect the range of potential medication errors. 5 Jan 2026

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Requirement Due date

An individual may only carry on a children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit to carry on the home;

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Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and 5 Jan 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 7 have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (1) (5)(a)(b)(c)(d) (7)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the responsible individual undertaking their role in accordance with regulation. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspiration House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 9 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE

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Inspectors

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Louise Copping, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2555505 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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