Children's Home run by Aspris Children’s Services Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 1 SC481221 Registered provider: Aspris Children’s 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 run by a private provider. It offers care for up to 5 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/05/2025 Full Good 15/01/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/04/2023 Full Good 12/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 3

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Summary of findings

Staff know children well and support their individual needs, interests and progress. Children enjoy a range of activities and are supported with their education, health and preparation for adulthood. Leaders advocate strongly for children and work well with safeguarding partners. There are some shortfalls in communication with parents and professionals, staff supervision, and recording, but these have not affected the overall care provided for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home. The inspector saw all the children, and 2 children took part in the inspection. Children said that they feel loved and cared for by the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff plan children’s moves carefully and work with children, families and professionals to understand each child’s needs. This helps children to experience moves with greater continuity and support. Children have been able to personalise their bedrooms with personal items and photos of their families and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and build positive relationships with them. Children are encouraged to share their wishes and feelings, and staff use this knowledge to shape children’s routines, activities and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy various activities, including baking, gaming, seaside trips, cinema visits, swimming and going to the park. These experiences help children build confidence, develop interests and make positive memories with staff. Staff document these experiences for children in memory books.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate strongly for children to receive education. The manager has challenged placing authorities when suitable provisions have not been available. As a result, 2 children now attend school and benefit from structure, learning and opportunities to socialise with other children. Staff continue to work with professionals to prepare another child for returning to education following a lengthy hospital stay. Two children have also been supported to secure employment, helping them to develop confidence, a sense of responsibility and skills that will support them in adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and professionals speak positively about the care their children receive. However, some parents and professionals have raised concerns about limited communication from staff at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 4

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

Leaders assess children’s needs before they move into the home. They consider children’s histories, vulnerabilities and individual risks, alongside the skills of the staff team. Risk management plans provide clear information for staff about children’s triggers and how to respond. Leaders review these plans when children’s circumstances change. This helps staff to provide consistent support.

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

Staff build strong relationships with children, which helps them to support children to manage difficult emotions. They recognise when children become distressed and respond calmly. Children are increasingly willing to talk to staff about worries and frustrations. When children self-harm, staff follow their care plans and respond without judgement. Children receive support to care for injuries in a nurturing environment and are given the opportunity to talk afterwards.

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

Leaders have reviewed the location risk assessment to include risks in the local community, as well as in the home. Children take part in fire drills and learn how to leave the home safely. Staff use scenarios and diagrams to help children understand fire safety. These precautions help to keep children safe.

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

There have been a high number of physical interventions and allegations against staff, most of which relate to one child. When allegations are made, staff and the manager follow safeguarding procedures. The manager makes appropriate referrals to the local authority designated officer and works closely with the police, the placing authority and other safeguarding professionals to develop safety plans.

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

Staff and children are not consistently spoken with following incidents involving the use of physical intervention. As a result, children do not always have an opportunity to share their views. Staff also miss opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and empathetic manager who knows the children well. The manager has a clear vision for the home and is a strong advocate for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have managed staff shortages well. They use a consistent group of agency staff who know the children well. Permanent staff and agency staff work together to maintain consistency for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and sometimes include external professionals. These meetings help staff develop their understanding of children’s needs and reflect on practice. The manager uses meetings to address practice issues and to recognise good practice. Staff value the support they receive from the manager. Staff say that the manager is available and that they feel listened to. Staff say there is positive team morale. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 5 Supervision and appraisal arrangements are in place for permanent staff. However, their quality and consistency are variable. Some supervision records could not be located, and there is limited evidence of supervision for agency staff who regularly care for children. Appraisals do not consistently include feedback from professionals and colleagues who work alongside staff, limiting opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Four staff members are enrolled on the relevant qualification but have not yet completed it. Leaders and managers reported that difficulties with the awarding academy have contributed to the delay, and they are taking steps to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are gaps in children’s medical records. This makes it difficult to establish whether health-related actions have been completed and not recorded, or whether they have been missed altogether. The manager has not identified these concerns through their monitoring arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 6

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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 registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience;

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Requirement Due date

and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 29 September 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents involving the use of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that such use is fair. This includes speaking to children and staff following incidents and recording the conversations. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should ensure regular communication with parents, placing authorities and other professionals involved in children’s care. In particular, leaders should ensure that relevant information about children’s care, progress and significant incidents is shared promptly and consistently. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.3)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear

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Recommendations

recording. In particular, ensure that all records are clear and detail information in a concise and factual way. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role complete the required qualifications within the relevant timescales. Leaders should maintain clear oversight of staff’s progress towards completing the qualification and take action when there are any delays to help ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills required to meet the children’s individual needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12) Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 7

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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: SC481221 8

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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: Michelle Batchelor

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Inspector

Thembie Mzila, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC481221 9 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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