Children's home run by Albrighton Care Ltd in Cannock Chase

Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 1 SC484830 Registered provider: Albrighton Care Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 2 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2025. She holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management for children’s residential care.

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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: SC484830 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/03/2024 Full Good 22/11/2022 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good 02/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home reopened in October 2025, one child has lived in the home, and they have since moved on. At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders carefully plan children’s transitions into the home. For the most recent admission, the manager developed a detailed transition plan and engaged well with professionals, including social workers and the child’s current carers. Leaders also established a positive rapport with the child’s relatives, helping the team gain a thorough understanding of the child’s needs. One relative told the inspector: ‘Communication was really good; they would communicate even over small things. They were absolutely excellent.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between the child and staff were positive. The manager and team demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding the child’s needs. Staff carried out regular ‘All About Me’ sessions, which encouraged the child to share their interests and helped strengthen their relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Systems to monitor children’s progress are effective. Staff use bespoke incentive charts to track children’s development, including independent living skills. The child was fully involved in this process, and their views were incorporated, ensuring a child ‑ centred approach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff promote positive routines. A personalised daily planner was created for the child, including educational and social activities such as youth club and roller skating. As a result, the child formed positive social networks within the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well supported. Staff promote routine health appointments and encourage regular exercise. The manager liaised with local services to ensure that the child had appropriate access to therapeutic support. This contributed to the child experiencing good overall health during their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and child focused. Communal spaces, such as the lounge and kitchen, are modern and well maintained. Leaders encourage children to personalise their bedrooms, promoting a sense of belonging.

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

Leaders and staff understand children’s risks well. The manager regularly updates children’s plans and risk assessments, which are clear, detailed and accessible for the staff team. Staff work consistently in line with these plans, ensuring a coherent approach to safeguarding. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 4 No allegations or complaints have been made by children since the last inspection. Leaders ensure that children understand how to raise concerns. Staff focus on building trusting relationships that support children to identify a safe adult. The manager has introduced child ‑ centred resources, including a ‘worry bear’, which the child who previously lived in the home used to express their feelings. When external complaints have arisen, leaders respond promptly. On one occasion, a neighbour raised concerns about noise levels; the manager visited the neighbour and brought flowers as an

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

apology. This contributed to improved relationships with the local community.

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

Consequences are generally fair and effective. When applied, they are consistent with children’s plans. Staff engage children in discussions to help them understand the reasons for consequences. Records are clear, and the manager provides detailed oversight, ensuring that only appropriate measures are used.

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

Leaders work effectively with external professionals to help children learn about risks. The manager requested direct work from the local fire service to support a child’s understanding of fire safety. She also arranged for the local community police officer to develop a positive relationship with the home. This proactive approach enhances children’s awareness of different risks and contributes to their safety.

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

Physical interventions are used proportionately and safely. Following incidents, the manager ensures that both the child and staff have opportunities to reflect. This helps the manager to evaluate the safety and appropriateness of practice. However, some incident records lack clarity in parts, making it difficult to track all actions taken during the event.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is committed and passionate. She ensures that staff are equipped to provide tailored, child-centred support. The manager has recently been supported by a cover responsible individual, which has ensured continuity in leadership and contributed to the high quality of care provided by the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported by leaders. Management provides consistent, high-quality supervision that promotes staff development. The manager is committed to developing the team; one staff member has recently taken on a sensory lead role, and another now supports the manager with referrals. This supports staff investment in their roles and enhances the care that children receive. One staff member told the inspector: ‘Our staff team works well together and supports one another. There’s also an emphasis on reflective practice and learning, which helps us improve how we care for the children. [Manager] provides clear guidance and sets the right approach to care.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders ensure that staff access a wide range of training opportunities. Staff complete bespoke training relevant to children’s needs. This has recently included training in dignity and privacy, anti-ligature practice, and PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) and other courses specific to children’s needs. Leaders facilitate regular Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 5 team meetings, during which staff recently reflected on the journey of the child who previously lived in the home. This supports learning and continuous development across the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are robust and contribute to sustained progress. The manager completes monthly audits that identify development areas promptly. This supports the good standard of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment of internal and agency staff is robust. The manager ensures that internal references are sought from previous managers to confirm staff suitability. She works closely with agencies to secure consistent agency staff and ensures that all recruitment information is in place before they begin work. The manager has created an agency staff file containing up-to-date plans and risk assessments to ensure they have the information needed to care for children safely. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: SC484830 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Albrighton Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 15 Heritage Park, Hayes Way, Cannock WS11 7LT

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Inspectors

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Emma Hutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC484830 8 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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Inspectors

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