Children's Home run by Affinity Childrens Care Ltd in Wakefield

Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 1 Registered provider: Affinity Childrens Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and manages this home. It is registered to provide care for up to 2 children, who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home and both were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in May 2025. The manager registered at the same time and is working towards the required qualification.

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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: 3 November 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 3

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Summary of findings

Since the monitoring visit in February 2026, leaders and managers have continued a positive pathway of improvement. The children are settled and making progress. For both children, this has been their most stable and consistent home. The staff give them a sense of belonging and permanence.

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Summary of findings

Children say they feel safe and well cared for. The children’s needs and risks differ significantly due to their differences in age, gender and individual characteristics. However, staff adapt their working styles and practice to meet the children’s needs and reduce risk, giving the children better outcomes and life experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained with plenty of age-appropriate games, books and toys for the children. One child has a designated area to promote their passion in nail art. Another child’s bedroom was thoughtfully personalised in a way that also reduces risk. The design of the home helps children to feel a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy and have trusted relationships with staff. Children said that they feel safe and well cared for. For one child the ability to seek out staff and ask for a cuddle is seen as a ‘break through’ in managing their emotions better. A parent said that they are reassured about the care and support given to their child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have well planned and predictable weeks that help them know what is happening in their life each day. Children enjoy a range of activities and experiences based on their interests. Children have visited parks, places of interest and enjoy spending time away in the caravan, trying out new and fun activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have differing needs due to their age, gender and personalities. Staff meet these needs through firm but fair boundaries and consistent routines, helping children to feel safe, secure and supported. One child is developing their independence skills at a suitable pace, in preparation for the next stage of their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote a learning environment and have supported children’s attainment through home learning and in their school setting. Effective challenge from the manager has resulted in children accessing learning environments that are suited to their individual needs. Children now have aspirations and an appetite for learning.

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

Children are safe and well cared for. The committed and well-established staff team safeguard and protect children effectively. Staff have a good understanding of the needs Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 4 of the children, including the effect of adverse childhood experiences. Staff are suitably trained to understand and respond effectively to each child’s behavioural characteristics and needs.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans reflect the individual risks and vulnerabilities of the children. The plans provide staff with the strategies and staffing sufficiency to reduce risk. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in missing- from-home incidents, and exploitation risks are understood and disrupted.

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

Staff help children to understand risk and be safer. Children fully participate in putting together their own safety plans that promote ownership and helps children to make more informed choices. This has helped children be safer when travelling in the car and when being online.

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

Staff understand why children may experience crisis. Staff are able to re-direct and de- escalate situations, significantly reducing the need for them to physically restrain children. Restraint is used as a last resort and the method is proportionate and the holds used are least restrictive. Reflection and discussion are routinely held and facilitate opportunity for practice learning and development.

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

Children are supported to gain an understanding of staff use of natural consequences. Incentives, goals and targets are used to encourage positive behaviour. Staff review these measures with the children to ensure that any measures used are effective and proportionate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are ambitious for the children in their care. They are strong advocates for the children and will appropriately challenge outside agencies. This ensures that children have equitable access to services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations of her staff, and this is underpinned by the training, learning and development that is put in place. Staff are recognised for their specific skills and experience, and this is promoted through the development of champion roles. Children benefit from a small, well-established staff team, who provide continuity and stability of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training and development is regularly revisited to ensure that staff are competent in their delivery of care. Staff have confidence in the manager and describe her as a good leader, who supports their wellbeing. Staff receive regular supervision sessions and appreciate the support that the manager offers to help them progress in their roles. Team away days, bitesize learning events and team meetings are held regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and parents are positive in their feedback. The created monthly newsletters and weekly reports provide regular updates on the children’s progress. Professionals feel the ethos of the home is very child-centred and family orientated. Children enjoy eating Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 5 meals together, where they can chat about their day. It gives children a sense of normality through positive interaction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No permanent staff have been appointed since registration and staff retention is good. There are robust systems in place to ensure that safer recruitment processes are followed, when agency staff are used. Agency staff form part of an integral team and some have been appointed as permanent staff, bringing additional stability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a range of quality assurance processes in place that ensure that children have the best possible care. Advice was given on improving the quality of care review to meet regulation and the manager has taken this on board to address the shortfalls noted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 6

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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: 2821080 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Affinity Childrens Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Azzurri House, Walsall Road, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 0RB

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2821080 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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Inspector

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