Children's home run by Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company

Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 1 Registered provider: Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a small private organisation. It provides residential short breaks for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and long-term care for up to 3 children. The children may have intellectual and developmental disabilities and additional complex health needs, including autism.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors spent time with 6 children who were staying at the home during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2022.

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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: 1258276 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/05/2024 Full Good 05/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 12 children have started using the short-break services and 7 children have stopped. Some children who have stopped using the short-break services have transitioned to specialist services that are better equipped to meet their increasingly complex health and support needs. Other children who were living at the home outside of short-break arrangements have successfully returned to their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children continue to make good progress with the support of the stable staff team. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children’s individual needs. They respond with sensitivity and care when children become distressed. They use their positive relationships with the children, along with specialist resources, to help children calm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from a safe, well-decorated and homely environment during their stay. Thoughtful features, such as well-presented themed bedrooms, mural artwork and personalised signs for children’s mobility equipment, help children feel valued. Managers have plans to further improve the house by providing children with a more welcoming entrance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the children do well in education. They ensure effective communication between schools and the home. Staff help children to learn new skills to become more independent. This helps children to develop essential life skills. This in turn empowers the children and promotes a greater sense of achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to enjoy their short breaks. Staff provide opportunities for the children to be busy both at the home and in the local community. Children play card games and watch movies with their peers. They enjoy trips to the zoo, clothes shopping and walks with staff. Staff celebrate annual and cultural events, which promotes a strong sense of belonging and self-worth for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their health needs. They follow the care plans and protocols in place when children develop issues with their health. However, at times, information has not always been shared promptly, meaning parents and professionals outside of the home have not always been kept informed about changes.

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

Staff get to know children well. They anticipate and prevent difficult situations whenever possible. They understand behaviour as a means of communication and recognise when children are becoming distressed or frustrated.

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

Staff treat children with sensitivity and understanding. They use reassurance and gentle prompts, as well as distraction, to help children to calm naturally. Consequently, physical intervention is rare. When used, it has been proportionate and necessary to prevent a Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 4 child from coming to harm. The one incident of restraint that has occurred was well recorded with good management oversight.

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

Staff are aware of their core safeguarding responsibilities and the additional vulnerabilities that disabled children may face. They confidently speak out if they see or hear anything that concerns them, and they feel supported in doing so by managers. The managers have created an open environment where staff are able to share concerns without fear of reprisal.

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

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of identified risks and follow risk management protocols in place. They are guided by comprehensive and clearly written risk assessments and care plans. Staff ensure that when children experience seizures or become unwell, the child’s safety and welfare are prioritised.

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

Complaints and concerns are rare. When staff conduct does fall below expected standards, the manager takes quick and decisive action. The manager ensures that the wellbeing and safety of children remains paramount and that children are not negatively impacted by the actions of staff. When a concern about staff was raised, the manager appropriately investigated in partnership with other relevant agencies. The investigation found that staff had followed all guidance to ensure the safety of the child. Although no shortfalls were found, the manager used this situation to look for ways to drive further improvements.

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

Social workers and parents speak highly of the home and provide positive feedback about the safety and wellbeing of children. One headteacher said, ‘Incidents are managed well. We have regular communication through telephone calls and meetings, and they are resolved quickly.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has had consistent leadership for several years with a stable management team that provides good levels of care. The registered manager and other senior leaders work well as a team. They carefully assess the staff’s ability to meet the needs of new children and consider the dynamics of the home. This ensures careful consideration of how staff can best meet the needs of children who come to stay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager acts on any shortfalls identified. For example, while no children experienced a negative impact on their wellbeing following some medication errors by staff, the manager has made improvements in the monitoring, recording and administration of medication. These tighter training and monitoring processes reduce future risks. There have been no further errors since the new system was implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders make sure staff receive a full and effective induction. Revised checklists have been introduced to assure managers that staff are competent in their roles. The manager has implemented new training for staff to improve clarity of information-sharing with medical professionals when staff seek urgent medical support for a child. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 5 Staff receive regular and effective supervision. Leaders and managers provide a safe space for staff to talk about issues affecting them outside of the home. These sessions also help staff to reflect on their own behaviours and practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure they seek to develop the home’s effective working relationships with each child’s placing authority and parents by making sure information is shared at the earliest opportunity. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.3)

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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: 1258276 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Achieving Aspirations Community Interest Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Compair Crescent, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0EH

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Inspectors

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Thembie Mzila, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1258276 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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