Children's Home run by Acheron Care Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 1 Registered provider: Acheron Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in May 2023 and is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager, who registered with Ofsted in May 2025, is no longer working in the role and has submitted a voluntary cancelation request to Ofsted. A new manager has been appointed and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the Social Care Common Inspection Framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to experience challenges. Shortfalls identified at the full inspection relating to staff practice, supervision of children, management of conflict between children, and staff’s ability to respond effectively to challenging behaviours, have remained evident during this period. However, there have been some recent improvements in these areas. This inspection found that requirements under regulation 6, 11 and 13 have been met. The requirement under regulation 12 has been restated.

p.2

Summary of findings

Shortfalls have been acknowledged by leaders and new managers. They have reflected on the findings from the last inspection and have taken action to address the areas identified for improvement. This has led to some recent positive changes in practice.

p.2

Summary of findings

The registered manager left the home, resulting in instability. There is now a new manager, deputy manager and a head of care, working alongside an experienced responsible individual. Together, they are leading the efforts to bring about improvements, strengthen oversight and drive forward improved quality of care. They are enthusiastic and focused. As a result, the home is currently undergoing a period of transition, which includes the implementation of new recording and reporting systems, enhanced monitoring arrangements, staff changes, and additional training delivered to staff. Therefore, improvements implemented in response to the inspection findings have not yet become fully embedded and further time is required to demonstrate sustained progress.

p.2

Summary of findings

Managers have reviewed children’s plans and staff guidance, to improve accessibility and provide clear and consistent guidance to meet children’s needs. This means staff have access to individualised plans to inform their practice and ability to meet children’s needs more effectively.

p.2

Summary of findings

When staff practice was not in line with the home’s policies or children’s plans and fallen below the expected standard of practice, managers have taken appropriate action. Managers have ensured that learning from incidents is identified and changes have been implemented to improve staff practice and risk management.

p.2

Summary of findings

Staff respond appropriately when children go missing from the home and appropriate measures are put in place following incidents to minimise the risk of reoccurrence. However, strategies to prevent children going missing and alerting staff sooner could have been implemented faster to better mitigate the known risks. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 3 Staff feedback is positive. They say there is improved morale in the home and described feeling supported by the new management team. Regular supervisions and team meetings are now taking place, providing staff with opportunities for support and reflection. This strengthens communication, re-enforces expectations and improves oversight. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/05/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/05/2025 Full Good 05/06/2024 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)) 30 October 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 6 In particular, the manager must ensure that staff respond to children in line with the therapeutic model of the home and in line with children’s plans. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 7

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acheron Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Manor House, Hilderstone, Stone ST15 8SQ

p.7

Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2736705 8 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8