Children's Home run by Ashwood Children‟s Care Home Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 1 Registered provider: Ashwood Children’s Care Home Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home. All the children were seen, and 3 were spoken to and contributed to the inspection.

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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

Date of last inspection: 23 September 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: 2558515 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/09/2025 Full Good 18/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/07/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive warm and individualised care from staff who know them very well. The children make progress in education, health, relationships and independence.

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Summary of findings

Staff plan children’s moves with care and help them maintain important family relationships. Children enjoy positive experiences and develop skills in readiness for adult life.

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Summary of findings

The staff understand children’s risks and provide support that reflects their individual needs. Managers are ambitious for children. They advocate strongly for services to meet children’s needs. Staff feel supported and take pride in children’s achievements. Management oversight and reflective team meetings promote consistent care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers carefully plan children’s moves into the home, taking full account of their individual needs. For example, one child visited the home on 4 occasions before moving in. These visits took place both in the community and at the home, and children already living there were invited to share their views. Another child required a more immediate move. To support this move, the staff created a pictorial guide, introducing the child to those already living in the home, as well as a pet that regularly visits. Managers also supported a child through a planned move back to their family. As a result, children experience well-planned transitions that are tailored to their individual circumstances and needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress in education. Staff work closely with schools, virtual schools, tutors and creative mentors to help the children progress. Managers challenge education plans when these do not meet children’s needs. One child had not attended education for 3 years before moving to the home. They now attend college and have achieved their first qualification. Children experience success in education and develop aspirations for their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Managers challenge health professionals when children’s needs are not being met. For example, for one child, this led to a change in medication. Staff reported a significant improvement following this change. A psychotherapist works at the home. Children have made positive progress in understanding their past experiences, managing their emotions and engaging with support. This helps children develop a better understanding of their health and wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prepare children for greater independence. One child takes part in a housing project and has access to a training flat. They shop for food, book and attend their own Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 4 health appointments and travel to see their family by bus. Another child chose to remain at the home rather than move to a semi-independent flat. Staff respect children’s individual pace and readiness for change. Children develop practical skills that prepare them for adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children maintain relationships with people who are important to them. They support family time at a pace that is right for each child. Staff also help children rebuild relationships after periods without contact. Staff seek children’s views through regular individual conversations. Children influence their care and remain connected to important people in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, holidays and celebrations. Staff show pride in children’s achievements and celebrate their progress. Rewards are personalised and reflect what is important to each child. Staff record praise in children’s daily records and positive praise books. Children also receive ‘star of the week’ awards. This helps children recognise their achievements and builds their sense of pride.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Each child has a ‘keeping me safe’ plan. This provides staff with guidance about known risks and safe responses. Risk assessments are reviewed as children’s needs change. Staff use this information to guide their day-to-day care. Children receive support that reflects their individual safety needs.

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

Staff balance online safety with children’s growing independence. Arrangements depend on each child’s age, needs and understanding of risk. Some children have greater freedom to use their mobile phones. Others receive more support and have their devices checked. Internet safety systems provide further safeguards. Children learn how to use technology more safely as their independence develops.

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

Staff respond to safeguarding concerns when they arise. Staff use direct work to help children understand risks and make safer choices. The manager recognises that some of this work has been reactive. More planned work could help children understand risks before concerns develop. This would strengthen a preventative approach to safeguarding.

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

Missing-from-care incidents are infrequent. Staff follow clear procedures when these occur. Children have individual protocols that identify vulnerabilities and guide staff actions. Staff provide detailed accounts of the actions taken to safeguard children. The manager completes a ‘lesson learned’ review after each incident. This helps staff consider whether any further action could reduce future risk.

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

Managers provide reflective oversight of significant incidents. Reviews consider staff actions, possible alternatives and any emerging patterns. Managers also consider staff wellbeing and identify further learning or supervision needs. Physical interventions, Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 5 accidents and allegations receive appropriate management oversight. This helps staff reflect on their practice and improve their responses to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy provide strong and consistent leadership. They are well qualified and work closely together. Managers know the strengths of the home and where practice can improve. A development plan supports continued improvement. Children benefit from leaders who have high expectations for children’s care and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers invest in the development of staff. Senior staff are trained to provide supervision and mentoring. Staff inductions are adapted to previous experience and knowledge. Staff describe managers as approachable and value learning from experienced colleagues. This supports a skilled and stable team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff take part in family meetings, and managers share learning from safeguarding matters and significant events. Staff discuss each child’s progress and current needs. They bring examples from practice for discussion. This promotes reflection and shared learning. Children benefit from adults who have a consistent understanding of their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers advocate strongly when services do not meet children’s needs. They work with education professionals to explore suitable provision and visit potential schools. Managers raise concerns with health professionals when medication is not achieving the intended outcome. They contribute their knowledge of children to professional discussions and seek appropriate solutions. This helps children receive support that better reflects their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff speak with pride about the children they care for. They celebrate achievements that are important to each child. Staff describe the joy of a child gaining his first qualification. Staff create personalised items for important events and when children leave. They describe the home as a second home in a family. These relationships help children experience a strong sense of belonging. Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 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: 2558515 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ashwood Children’s Care Home Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: G43a Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Burton-On-Trent, Derbyshire DE15 0YZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jonathan Cammiss

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Inspector

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2558515 8 and inspects 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 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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