Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Children's Home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Southampton
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Group verified
Aspris Children’s Services Limited
- Inspection date verified
20 May 2026
- Inspectors verified
Stephanie McDonald
- Helped and protected verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Name on report verified
SC407790
- URN verified
SC407790
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2025.
- OverallGood
- Helped and protectedGood
- Leadership and managementGood
70% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (12,716 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
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Strengths
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Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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No next steps set out.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Leadership & governance9
“Leaders and managers demonstrate a strong attachment to the home.” p.4
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 7
- Words of findings
- 847
- shorter than usual (typical 1319)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 52, typical 51
- Average sentence
- 14 words
- Next steps
- 0
- typical 4
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection report for children's home: SC407790 1 SC407790 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services Limited
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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework
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Information about this children’s home
This home is privately owned by a large national organisation. It is one of several homes owned by the provider in the local area and is linked to an independent school that is operated by the same organisation. The home provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.
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Information about this children’s home
At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home.
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Information about this children’s home
There is currently no registered manager at the home. A new manager has been appointed and is applying to register with Ofsted.
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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: 28 October 2025
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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: SC407790 2
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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement
28/10/2025 Full Good 13/01/2025 Full Good 14/02/2024 Full Good 04/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC407790 3
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Summary of findings
The home had been operating without a registered manager as a result of the registered manager moving into an operational role in the same organisation. Despite the gap in leadership, staff felt supported through supervision and development. Incidents are rare, due to the relationships that staff have with the children. Children are making progress in education and are being supported to develop age-appropriate independence skills which are preparing them for adulthood.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Children have developed trusting relationships with staff and can identify someone they can speak to if they are worried. They benefit from consistent and predictable care, which provides them with a sense of security and stability.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection. Their journey and achievements at the home were appropriately celebrated with a surprise party. Staff have maintained relationships with the child, ensuring continuity of care.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Two children attend school and are making progress. Staff support children with preparing for exams. The same 2 children have been accepted for their preferred college courses and are preparing for the next stage in their lives. For another child, who has recently moved in, leaders are ensuring that an appropriate education plan is in place.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Children regularly spend time with people who are important to them. One child is now enjoying some time with their sibling. This has increased their sense of belonging and identity.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Staff promote age-appropriate independence skills, including cooking, doing laundry and managing daily routines. Children are supported to maintain their own personal care. A noticeable improvement has been identified by one child’s social worker in relation to the child’s self-care skills.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Children’s mental health and wellbeing are regarded as priorities. Leaders appropriately consult the in-house therapy team to ensure that each child is receiving the right support from staff.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Staff encourage the children to contribute their thoughts and ideas through regular house meetings. These meetings enable children to express their opinions and to have the confidence that their views are valued. Children’s meetings explore topics such as mental health, culture and relationships. Staff encourage the children to speak openly about these topics. Inspection report for children's home: SC407790 4 The home is well maintained and decorated to a high standard. Children take pride in their home and have enjoyed personalising their bedrooms. They are supported through a rewards system to keep their bedrooms clean and tidy.
p.3
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
The home is a stable and supportive environment where children say that they feel safe. The staff know the children well and understand the impact of their previous experiences. Staff are knowledgeable and alert to safeguarding risks.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
The use of physical intervention is rare, with only one incident recorded since the last inspection. The manager undertook a thorough review of the incident and identified appropriate learning for staff, informed by the views of the child involved. A restorative conversation took place with the child following the incident. This helped the child to process what had happened.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
One child who recently moved into the home has had regular episodes of going missing. Staff follow missing-from-care procedures when the child goes missing and demonstrate curiosity to understand the underlying reasons for these incidents. Since the introduction of a new safety plan, missing episodes have declined significantly. The child said they are now enjoying spending more time with staff.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The organisation has appointed a new manager, who has recently started in post. The previous manager had been maintaining oversight of the home and was supported by an experienced deputy manager.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
Despite the manager being new in post, he has a clear vision for the home and has high expectations of children and staff. Staff are consulted about developments and, as a result, they feel valued and respected.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
Staff say that leaders and managers nurture their career aspirations. Furthermore, staff are happy with the direct emotional and practical support that they receive from leaders and managers, on a day-to-day basis as well as through their supervision sessions. As a result, staff feel listened to, which motivates them in their care of the children.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
Leaders and managers demonstrate a strong attachment to the home. This tangible sense of commitment influences loyalty and respect from staff. Collectively, this engenders a strong sense of togetherness that encourages staff and children to invest in their relationships with one another.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
Feedback from professionals is positive, with one social worker saying, ‘All the staff have lovely connections with [name of child]’ and that the child is encouraged to try new things.
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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: SC407790 5
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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: SC407790 6
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Children’s home details
Registered provider: Aspris Children’s Services 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: Vanessa Caldicott
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Inspector
Stephanie McDonald, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC407790 7 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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