Children's home run by Aasra Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2763071 1 Registered provider: Aasra Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The privately run home provides care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is 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

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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: 2763071 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/07/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2763071 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 3 children have lived at the home, and all made progress. Staff provide consistently warm and nurturing care and demonstrate a strong understanding of children’s individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff plan children’s moves to the home carefully. They are skilled at looking after children who need support with their mental health. Some children moved to the home directly from hospital settings. Staff work with other professionals in the child’s network to ensure that children access the support they need. Therapeutic approaches are embedded in daily practice. This has contributed to a reduction in self-harm and other high-risk behaviours. A notable strength is children’s ability to inform staff when incidents of self-harm occur, demonstrating trust in those caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work effectively with teachers to support children’s reintegration into education. Finding the right school for all three children has been a challenge for staff, particularly for those who have out of education for a long time. Staff supported one child to return to mainstream education in line with their wishes and, when this was not sustained, supported them to explore alternative educational options.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to children’s views and act on them. They advocate for children, particularly to develop their independence. Clear boundaries and expectations are set for children when they spend time away from the home. Children understand what they need to demonstrate for plans to progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children regularly engage in activities in the local community. They enjoy positive shared experiences in the home, including playing board games, cooking, and activities such as decorating the home for Halloween and putting up the Christmas tree. These experiences promote a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their family and other people who are important to them. Staff do this sensitively and in line with children’s individual plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a warm, comfortable and welcoming environment that feels homely. It is situated on a quiet residential street, next door to a park and library. Staff encourage children to decorate their own rooms. The child currently living at the home has a rabbit which everyone helps to look after. An outdoor cabin provides a therapeutic space where children have sessions with the in-house therapist and use a wide range of arts and craft resources.

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

Therapeutic practice is embedded across the staff team. Staff have regular opportunities for reflective practice, which they say is beneficial. This helps staff to provide a calm, consistent and therapeutic response to children. One mental health practitioner Inspection report for children’s home: 2763071 4 described the staff’s empathic approach as ‘second to none’. This helps children to feel understood, safe and supported.

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

Children’s risk assessments are detailed and regularly updated. They reflect children’s individual histories, needs and vulnerabilities. Effective multi-agency working and regular consultation with the wider professional network strengthen staff’s safeguarding practice. When needed, leaders and managers make informed decisions on how they can manage risks effectively for children.

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

Incidents when children go missing from home are infrequent. Staff follow agreed procedures and are proactive in keeping in contact with children. Staff collect children when they find out their location and welcome them home. Relevant professionals and family members are informed promptly during episodes of going missing.

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

For one child with a complex health diagnosis, staff did not receive bespoke training specific to their needs. Two safeguarding incidents occurred in close succession in which the child accessed items that could have caused them significant harm. Leaders and managers acted to address practice, reinforce safeguarding expectations and strengthen staff understanding of risk. The staff team has reflected on learning from these incidents, and no further incidents of this nature have occurred.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a good understanding of children’s individual needs and the risks that need to be managed. They have the support of a committed deputy manager and settled staff group. The new responsible individual is known to the team, supporting continuity and stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers maintain strong oversight of practice through supervision, appraisals and informal check-ins. There is a monthly meeting for staff with the in-house therapist in addition to a monthly team meeting. This helps to promote reflection, learning and accountability. External professionals speak of having positive working relationships with staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive programme of training, delivered online and in person, with support from an in-house therapist. Training includes therapeutic approaches and de-escalation skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers appropriately challenge poor or concerning practice through supervision, reflective discussion and, where necessary, formal disciplinary processes. This demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2763071 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— that staff—

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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;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered individual must ensure that staff have the training needed to fully understand the needs of each individual child and have the skills to meet those needs. 12 February 2026

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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: 2763071 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 150 Station Road, Sidcup DA15 7AB

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Inspector

Matilda Clode, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2763071 7 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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