Children's Home run by Ad Astra Children’s Home Ltd in Portsmouth

Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 1 Registered provider: Ad Astra Children’s Home 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 privately owned and may provide care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the first inspection of the home since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making progress. They are becoming more able to manage their emotions and explain what they need. Their confidence has grown and they are now able to speak up for themselves more clearly. In their recent review meeting, they confidently shared their views about school and explained what changes they felt were needed to support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to learn independence skills for when they become an adult. Because of this support, the child can now travel on the bus independently and has become more confident with cooking. Staff also help the child learn how to budget and manage their money, which is helping them feel more in control of their everyday life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is generally healthy. Staff support them to attend their health appointments, so that their physical and mental health needs are met. During a child and adolescent mental health services assessment, the manager was commended for how well they understood and supported the child. This attuned support helps the child feel safe and confident when talking about their health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views are listened to and acted on. Staff gather the child’s views in several meaningful ways. Weekly ‘house huddles’ give the child regular opportunities to share ideas about activities, meals, routines and home improvements. Staff also have regular day-to-day discussions with the child. These approaches help the child to feel listened to and involved in decisions that affect their daily life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not ready to access formal education, but staff support them to take part in online tutoring so they can keep learning. Staff also advocate and engage with relevant professionals so that the child can get a school place that meets their needs. Staff make sure they have a range of activities planned for the child to maintain a healthy routine and continue developing their skills. This helps the child to stay engaged and have a structured day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some areas of the home need repairing to make sure the child is living in a safe and homely environment. Leaders and managers have not acted quickly enough to make the necessary improvements.

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

Managers and staff recognise the value of multi-agency support to ensure that children are safe. Safeguarding concerns are shared appropriately with social workers, and police support is sought when required. The registered manager communicates with the local authority designated officer when there are allegations made about staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 3 The registered manager has worked with the police to arrange regular visits from a police community support officer. These visits give the child guidance and support to help reduce the risk of becoming involved in crime. Staff also have regular key-working sessions with the child to build their confidence, help with decision-making and encourage positive behaviour.

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

Leaders and managers oversee all incidents. Staff and the child receive emotional support following each incident to explore the reasons behind the behaviour. This helps to identify any areas of learning.

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

The child has developed positive relationships with staff. Staff are attuned to the child’s needs, so the child can seek support freely from trusted adults. During the inspection, the child engaged easily and openly with staff. These relationships help the child feel secure in the knowledge that they are wanted in the home.

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

Managers carry out safer recruitment checks; however, an important detail in a recruitment check for one staff member was overlooked, meaning that the suitability of a reference was not fully considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a registered manager with support from a deputy manager, who both know the child and staff well. They lead by example to support and develop the staff team. The registered manager is actively involved in the child’s day-to-day care. As a result, they are able to make informed decisions about the child’s care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the home’s strengths and areas that need improvement. They recognise that management oversight has not been effective in improving the quality of recording of incidents and ensuring that staff do not use work laptops when sitting with the child. As a result, they have identified additional support and training for staff to increase confidence and ensure a consistent approach to supporting the child. However, this is yet to be implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by managers and describe the working environment as positive. One staff member said: ‘I can honestly say it’s the best place I’ve worked.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision to support and strengthen their practice. Managers provide additional supervision when concerns arise and offer guidance whenever needed. Staff also participate in detailed handover meetings every few days, aligned with their shift pattern. This support ensures that staff remain informed of the child’s needs to best support them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager works well with other professionals to make sure the child gets the right support. Feedback from external professionals is positive. They praised how staff support the child and speak up for them, so their needs are understood and met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 4 They said the child is now more able to trust adults, share their wishes, and feel more confident because of the support from staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 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—

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that children live in an environment free from avoidable hazards and that concerns are addressed quickly to consistently maintain a homely environment. 1 June 2026

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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.

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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 have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a) (2)(a)(c)) 1 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 6 In particular, the registered manager must ensure that guidance, training and support offered to staff is effective in improving practice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice as set out in regulations 31–33. They must ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, the registered person should ensure that there is consistent scrutiny of information provided by potential staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2838225 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ad Astra Children’s Home Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bayliss Ware Ltd, 9 Stratfield Park, Elettra Avenue, Waterlooville PO7 7XN

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Inspector

Chido Mangava, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2838225 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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