Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 1 Registered provider: Aspris Care North West Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in October 2020 and is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious failures that mean the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 5 February 2025

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2025 Full Good 16/05/2023 Full Good 05/07/2022 Full Good 16/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s safety and overall experiences are adversely impacted by ineffective care planning and shortfalls in safeguarding practices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The registered manager and responsible individual admitted a child into the home despite their needs being outside of the home’s conditions of registration. The child’s needs are not in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The registered manager did not ensure that staff received relevant training to meet the child’s specific needs. As a result, the child’s health needs are not met. The is a significant shortfall as the child has physical disabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Another child moved into the home without thorough care planning and full consideration of their risks and vulnerabilities. This resulted in an escalation in incidents and the police being called for assistance. The child was arrested due to the staff being unable to manage the child’s needs. This placed the child at risk of being criminalised and they experienced a premature move out of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

One child has lived at the home for a long time. This child has made limited progress. The child currently attends college for 4 hours per week. When the child is not in college, staff do not ensure that the child has a consistent daily routine. The child stays in bed for most of the day. Consequently, the child lacks structure throughout the day, which is impacting negatively on their educational progress, aspirations and future opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not provide the child with learning opportunities or support them to develop the independence skills that they require to prepare them for when they leave the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The manager and staff understand the dynamics regarding children’s relationships with their family and friends. Staff have established positive relationships with one child’s parents and friends. Staff advocate for the child and support them in seeing and remaining in contact with their family and friends. This helps the child to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them.

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

The registered manager and responsible individual did not assess one child’s needs before they moved in. The child does not have a risk assessment or behaviour support plan in place. Therefore, staff do not have guidance to support their safeguarding practices.

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

Staff do not have specific risk management strategies to help them to manage risks in practice. A risk in relation to another child has reduced. However, when incidents do Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 4 occur, staff do not consistently seek medical advice to manage this risk. This could impact on one child’s health and safety.

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

Staff told the inspector that they do not understand one child’s needs and are not confident managing the child’s vulnerabilities and complex needs.

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

Staff have not received the necessary training specific to care for a child with physical disabilities. This impacts on staff managing situations safely. Staff are not trained in the necessary physical intervention practice. This leaves staff and children at risk of potential harm.

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

There have been several occasions when one child has been missing from home. Staff follow missing-from-home procedures and work with the police and the child’s parents to locate the child and return them home.

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

The home environment is not suitable or safe for one child to live in. The responsible individual and registered manager have not reviewed policies, procedures and fire risk assessments to ensure these are safe for a child with physical disabilities. The child does not have a personal evacuation plan in place. Therefore, staff do not have the necessary guidance to ensure the child can leave the home safely in the event of a fire.

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

Two allegations have been managed well in line with safeguarding procedures and reported to the local authority designated officer. This ensures that staff remain safe to care for children. However, one allegation and one serious incident were not notified to Ofsted. This impacts on the regulator’s monitoring of the home.

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

Staff speak to children about their risks and vulnerabilities. However, records do not demonstrate how effective this work is to reduce risks in relation to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager has a childcare qualification and is working towards a management qualification. Staff and parents spoken to shared varied views about the leadership and management of the home. One member of staff said that they lack confidence in the manager and said, ‘We have a team who are concerned they can’t meet [name of child]’s needs and are feeling uncomfortable. I raised a concern with [name of manager] and in not so many words, I was advised we have a bed, and we need to fill it.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Observations of the registered manager with the child are positive. The registered manager works shifts in the home. However, this impacts on his overall management of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager’s monitoring and review systems are poor. The responsible individual identified these concerns. However, this has not been addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 5 Staff do not have consistent supervision. One member of staff said that they have had supervision on one occasion. Supervision records are poor quality and do not demonstrate that staff can talk about their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have frequent team meetings. However, meetings are not well attended by staff. This is a missed opportunity for staff to discuss their caring and safeguarding practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Children do not receive care from a consistent staff team. Staff from other homes within the organisation have been working at the home. However, they have not received an induction or relevant information in relation to the children. This impacts on their caring and safeguarding practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Since the last inspection, a new staff member has started working at the home. They received an induction to prepare them for working at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not regularly seek feedback from professionals, family members or staff. This is a missed opportunity for leaders and managers to identify and reflect on any themes, patterns and trends and any shortfalls in staff practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager does not respond to complaints in line with the provider’s policies and procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

One recommendation raised at the last inspection is met. Two other recommendations were not met and are raised as requirements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 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 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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes 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)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to that all staff are adequately trained, know and understand children’s risk management plans and are confident to use identified strategies to reduce risks. 22 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 7 Ensure that the fire risk assessment is updated.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that advice and guidance are obtained from the fire service to inform a thorough review of the premises to ensure that they are safe for a child who has a physical disability.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and 22 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 8 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The provider needs to ensure that they are operating in line with the conditions of registration within the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that all staff, including managers, complete training to meet children’s needs. This includes caring for a child with a disability.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that children receive care from a consistent staff team.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that there are effective monitoring and review systems in place to ensure the registered manager and responsible individual have effective oversight of staff practice.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; 15 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 9 help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that any care that is arranged or provided for a child that—

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Requirement Due date

relates to the child’s development (within the meaning of section 17(11) of the Children Act 1989) or health; and

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Requirement Due date

satisfies the conditions in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

that the care is approved, and kept under review throughout its duration, by the placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that the care is delivered by a person who—

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Requirement Due date

has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver that care; and

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Requirement Due date

(is under the supervision of a person who is appropriately skilled and qualified to supervise that care; and

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Requirement Due date

that the registered person keeps the child’s general medical practitioner informed, as necessary, about the progress of the care throughout its duration. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)(vii)(c)(i)(ii)(d)(i) (3)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 15 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 10 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(c))

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended 15 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 11 that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)) 15 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— 15 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 12 keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

Nothing in paragraph (5) or regulation 46 (review of premises) requires or authorises the registered person to contravene or not comply with—

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Requirement Due date

any conditions in relation to the registration of the registered person under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b) (5) (6)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(e)) 15 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children who make complaints or raise issues about their care are responded to in accordance with the provider’s complaints procedure. Children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. In addition, when neighbours make complaints, this should be responded to in accordance with the complaints procedure. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.13) Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 13

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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: 2596541 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspris Care North West Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Barton Close, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1SJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Penelope Rafferty

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2596541 15 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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