Children's Home run by Affinity Childrens Services Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 1 Registered provider: Affinity Childrens Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, a new manager and responsible individual have been appointed. The manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with both children.

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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: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: Following the previous inspection, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation at the home, which lapsed on 16 July 2026. A compliance notice relating to Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard) was also issued. This was reviewed and deemed to have been met at a monitoring visit that took place on 3 June 2026. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/04/2026 Full Inadequate 09/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/05/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 3

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Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, children are more settled in the home and making progress in all areas of their development. Serious incidents involving children have reduced. Staff use their positive relationships with children to support them effectively, helping them to understand their emotions and the impact of their actions.

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Summary of findings

Leadership and management arrangements have improved since the last inspection. This has contributed to greater stability and strengthened oversight of the children’s care and safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved into or out of the home. The children are settled and making progress in all areas of their development. Staff provide a warm and welcoming environment where children have developed positive relationships with the adults who care for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can identify trusted staff they would approach if they have worries or concerns. They are comfortable sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences with staff, and when they do so, they receive appropriate and supportive responses. Staff use a curious and child-centred approach to understanding children’s experiences. This helps children feel listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education. Staff work proactively with schools and colleges, advocating for children and ensuring that their needs are understood and met. For one child, this has supported them to remain engaged in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop independence skills that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. Progress is supported through secure and trusting relationships with staff, whose practice is characterised by patience and empathy. For example, one child has made progress in taking responsibility for their own health. This has been achieved through ongoing and meaningful discussions with the child. This helps children to build confidence and make positive choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of children maintaining relationships with family members and other significant people in their lives. Children are actively supported to maintain these connections, helping them to strengthen their sense of identity and belonging.

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

Staff demonstrate commitment to the children and have a good understanding of the risks children face. Children’s plans and assessments identify known risks and provide Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 4 guidance to inform staff practice and responses. While these documents are mostly updated to reflect incidents and emerging concerns, on one occasion, important information relating to a child’s health condition has not been recorded clearly. However, this has not affected the child’s wellbeing.

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

The number of incidents involving children has reduced. Staff are increasingly effective at supporting children and managing risks. When incidents occur, staff use curiosity to better understand the underlying causes of children’s actions. This helps them recognise the link between children’s emotional wellbeing and their behaviour, enabling timely support that prevents situations from escalating.

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

Children are safeguarded through positive and trusting relationships with staff who know them well. Staff use these relationships to understand children’s emotions and consider the impact of their behaviour. This approach supports children to develop strategies to resolve conflicts and manage difficult feelings.

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

Children are encouraged to take risks appropriate to their age and development. Staff support children to build their independence, make decisions and learn from their experiences. When situations do not go as planned, children are helped to reflect and consider alternative choices for the future. This balanced approach promotes children’s safety while developing their confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leadership and management arrangements have improved since the last inspection. Greater stability has been achieved through a comprehensive review of recruitment processes, resulting in the appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced manager and responsible individual. This has strengthened management oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have taken a proactive approach to addressing previously identified shortfalls and meeting compliance and regulatory requirements. This demonstrates a commitment to achieving stronger practice and providing greater consistency for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff express high levels of job satisfaction and report feeling listened to, supported and valued by leaders and managers. Team stability is evidenced by low staff turnover. Regular team meetings provide opportunities for staff to come together to discuss children’s needs and experiences and to reflect on practice. This collaborative approach promotes consistency in the care and support provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of support to staff has improved. Access to high-quality, relevant training has been effective in broadening staff knowledge and skills. Staff receive regular supervision sessions that are reflective and practice focused. Discussions explore children living in the home, the impact of practice, and professional development. Staff wellbeing is recognised and promoted. This supportive approach ensures that staff are better equipped to deliver care that is informed and child focused. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Furthermore, they must ensure that this information is clearly recorded in children’s plans and risk assessments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.15)

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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: 2746965 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Affinity Childrens Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Coach House, Horse Fair, Rugeley WS15 2EL

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Inspector

Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2746965 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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