Children's Home run by Affinity Childrens Care Ltd in Walsall

Inspection report for children's home: 2690163 1 Registered provider: Affinity Children's Care Ltd Full inspection 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 2 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 they have submitted an application to register with Ofsted. The registered provider has also appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is currently assessing whether this person has the necessary capacity, experience and skills to fulfil 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 and contributed to the process.

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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: 17 September 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: 2690163 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2690163 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the same child has continued to live in the home. They moved out for 4 months last year to trial group living in a neighbouring property but have since returned. The home remained vacant during this period, and no other children joined the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When the child returned to the home, a detailed plan was developed to support their transition back. Their wishes and feelings were considered when creating the plan and deciding how they wanted to mark leaving their previous home. A leaving meal was arranged to provide a positive conclusion to this change in their care plan.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the last inspection, the child was not in education and faced barriers to learning. They have since returned to full-time education and have made exceptional progress. Their engagement and attitude towards learning are highly positive. They are ambitious for their future and are making plans for post-16 education. One professional said, 'This is the best home I have worked with, as the home is out of area we are reliant on their support to help identify suitable education provisions. They have found a provision for the child that has restored their relationship with education, it has been a real success.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's health needs are well supported. They have access to both routine and specialist health services. When concerns arise, staff act promptly to make referrals to specialist agencies for additional support. Reflective discussions are held with the child to provide advice and guidance, promoting resilience and self-awareness and helping them to make positive life choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's wishes and feelings are central to staff practice. Relationships that are important to the child are actively supported, with the home ensuring that they maintain positive connections with family members and links to their local community. The manager has developed a strong working relationship with the family and ensures that they are kept informed of the child's progress through regular phone calls and a monthly newsletter that highlights their achievements and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's interests are actively promoted and nurtured, including participation in ice- skating and horse-riding lessons. They have also enjoyed a range of activities, holidays and day trips, creating many happy memories. These experiences have been documented in a personalised journal that includes photos and keepsakes of these special occasions. Inspection report for children's home: 2690163 4

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

The child has positive relationships with staff and can identify several trusted adults in the home to approach with any worries or concerns. They understand how to make a complaint and are confident that their concerns will be listened to and taken seriously.

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

Missing-from-home incidents were frequent prior to the child returning to live at the home. Staff have worked creatively to reduce the risks of the child going missing. Restorative work to rebuild relationships between staff and the child has improved communication. This has enabled the manager to support the child in reflecting on their reasons for going missing and in considering how they would like staff to support them.

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

Additionally, the manager attends weekly safety meetings, which are attended by all professionals supporting the child. This has created opportunities to reflect on incidents collectively as a multi-agency approach to find solution-focused responses. As a result, incidents of the child going missing from home reduced each month and have ceased since November 2025.

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

Incidents of self-harm are managed sensitively. Staff understand the associated risks and have received specific training to ensure that they can provide appropriate support. The child's plans address their vulnerabilities effectively and set out the actions that staff should take. In addition, the child is supported to attend weekly therapeutic appointments. When it has been necessary to conduct a room search following a self- harm incident, this has been carried out with dignity, respect and the child's consent.

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

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff recognise and reward the child's progress and achievements. When behaviour escalates, staff use a range of strategies to de-escalate situations. Following incidents, staff take time to reflect with the child to identify learning and agree ways forward. Where possible, reflective discussions reinforce relationships and help mitigate the risk of incidents reoccurring. As a result, there has been no use of physical intervention in the home.

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

When the child raises concerns, leaders ensure that thorough investigations are completed and information is shared with the relevant agencies. Prompt and appropriate action is taken to review working arrangements, and staff and the child are supported through discussions so they understand the processes and remain informed.

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

The child lives in a comfortable and welcoming home. It is personalised to their individual tastes and is well maintained. The manager ensures that any maintenance issues are promptly addressed to maintain a high-quality living environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A dedicated manager leads the home and is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for the child. This ethos is embedded within the team. The manager is suitably Inspection report for children's home: 2690163 5 experienced and qualified to fulfil her role. The home is fully staffed with a consistent and stable team, ensuring that the child is cared for by adults who know them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager reflects on incidents in the home to identify solution-focused responses to the child's care needs. Opportunities to reflect with key professionals have ensured a joined-up approach to meeting these needs. As a result, staff practice has been adapted to respond to fluctuating requirements. The manager and responsible individual have analysed themes and trends arising from incidents and have engaged with specialist agencies for advice and guidance to inform their learning and improve responses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong understanding of the child's needs. The child's in-house plan reflects the support provided by the team and outlines the next steps they are working towards to prepare for moving on from the home. The positive relationships formed with key professionals demonstrate the manager's effective leadership and have informed the child's next steps. Feedback from professionals has been highly positive, with all noting the significant progress the child has made since living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported and enjoy working in the home. They benefit from monthly team meetings and a comprehensive training package, which includes child-specific courses to enhance their practice. Additional bespoke managerial training has been introduced for the next 6 months to support the manager's transition into the role and to aid the development of the deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

However, recent supervision for some staff has not been completed in line with the home's workforce development plan, resulting in some staff not receiving supervision for 3 months. This shortfall in practice has only occurred in recent months. Leaders have a clear plan to address this issue, with supervision sessions booked for a month’s time Responsibility for supervision will also be shared with a new deputy manager, who has recently joined the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager's monitoring is largely effective. However, shortfalls were noted during the inspection. These have not had an impact on the child but have resulted in information not always being accurately recorded, and, on one occasion, the manager's oversight of a significant incident was missed. Inspection report for children's home: 2690163 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)) 2 March 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2690163 7

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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: 2690163 8 regulates 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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