Children's Home run by Aspen Care homes Ltd in WalsallOfsted inspection, 16 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 1 Registered provider: Aspen Care homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in March 2026 and is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 1 child was living at the home and they spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager in post who is suitably experienced and qualified.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 2

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Summary of findings

Since the home opened in March 2026, one child has moved in. They are making good progress in several areas, including education, health and overall wellbeing. Staff are guided by well-organised and detailed plans. The child contributes fully to these plans, identifying areas in which they would like to make further progress.

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Summary of findings

Staff have developed positive relationships with the child and enjoy caring for them. The manager has good oversight of the home and is aware of its strengths and areas for development. Although there has been a high turnover of staff and mixed feedback regarding the level of support staff receive from the leaders, there are no visible signs this has adversely affected the child. Professionals speak highly of the care provided, recognising the home’s positive influence on the child’s progress and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When the child moved into the home, the manager ensured that sufficient information was obtained to confirm that staff had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. The child was able to choose their preferred bedroom and evening meal and was also given a copy of the children’s guide. As a result, the child has settled well and begun to make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys living at the home and said they would rate it as ‘11 out of 10’. Staff have listened to the child, learned about their preferred activities and encouraged them to make choices. As a result, the child takes part in a range of activities, including arts and crafts and helping staff with vehicle checks. The child also takes part in a range of sporting activities, such as swimming and attending the gym. This helps to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s education is a clear priority. When they moved into the home, the child had not attended school for a considerable length of time. Clear morning and bedtime routines, rewards and conversations have helped to improve attendance. Staff also remain in the vicinity of the school in case they are needed. As a result, the child has developed a more positive attitude towards learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s wishes and feelings about the time they spend with their family are taken into account, and staff work to ensure that family time is safe. A referral for professional support in relation to grief was also made, alongside ongoing support from staff to help the child manage these complex emotions. As a result, the child’s emotional wellbeing has been well promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a home that provides a welcoming and nurturing environment. There are several areas where they can relax, socialise and play, including a large garden with a trampoline. The child has personalised their bedroom and is supported to make Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 3 changes to it to reflect their developing interests. Photos of the child with their family, as well as engaging in activities with staff, are displayed throughout the home. This helps to reinforce the child’s sense of belonging.

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

The child feels safe living in the home. They have developed trusting relationships with staff and said that staff help them to manage their emotions and listen to them. Staff provide care that prioritises positivity and promotes the child’s self-esteem. For example, staff record and share a positive moment from each day with the child, alongside notes containing compliments and positive affirmations. As a result, the child has developed trusting relationships with staff and is growing in confidence.

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

Staff are generally skilled at de-escalating incidents, and behaviour management strategies are mostly effective and well understood. On 2 occasions, staff applied consequences that were not in line with the child’s plan. On both occasions, the situation escalated, resulting in the child becoming upset and leaving the home. Management oversight was effective in identifying this poor practice, and steps were taken to address it.

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

Managers respond effectively when children raise concerns. Thorough investigations are carried out, and information is shared with the appropriate agencies. Children are kept informed of the progress and outcomes of any enquiries. This helps children to feel confident about sharing concerns, knowing that they will be listened to.

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

When the child goes missing from home, staff actively search for them and welcome them back on their return. There has been a reduction in both the frequency of missing- from-home incidents and the associated risks. Staff have conversations with the child to help them understand these risks, which has contributed to this improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably experienced registered manager who is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for the child in her care. The manager is caring, child focused and advocates on the child’s behalf when necessary. She knows the child well and is fully involved in their life. There is clear management oversight of incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a high level of staff turnover in the team. Feedback from staff regarding support from the leadership team is mixed. When staff have raised concerns about colleagues, these have generally been addressed effectively, and staff have been satisfied with the outcome. However, on one occasion, a concern raised was not addressed. The manager reported that this was an oversight. Failures to address concerns promptly can leave staff feeling unhappy and unheard, which may have a negative impact on morale.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular team meetings, which are well attended. They provide opportunities for staff to learn from any incidents that have occurred over the previous Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 4 month, using reflective discussions. This strengthens staff practice and helps staff understand the child’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and reflective supervision. The manager also receives regular supervision. However, discussions regarding the staff and staffing dynamics are not explored in sufficient detail. This limits the manager’s ability to identify performance issues and find solutions in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals and family members are wholly positive about the care the child receives. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is doing amazing and has made lots of progress, it is lovely to see [name of child] in a lovely placement with staff who do everything they can and really like [name of child].’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 5

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that staff apply their training in practice to ensure that children receive good- quality and safe care in line with their needs.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, when staff raise concerns, the registered person must ensure that they are investigated in a timely manner, so staff are given prompt assurances that their concerns have been addressed.

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Requirement Due date

Furthermore, the registered person must ensure that supervision is effective and includes discussions about staffing dynamics. 12 November 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 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: 2874824 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspen Care homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Appledore Terrace, Walsall WS5 3DU

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Inspector

Emma Hutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2874824 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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