Children's home run by Lavender Group Homes

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children receive well-planned and consistent care. Each child is settled and happy in a long-term placement. As a result, children are confident in the care that they receive and know what to expect on a daily basis. Comments from young people include, ‘I really like my key worker; she is funny and spends time with me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children with complex needs each make notable progress from their starting points at admission. A parent said, ‘Because of their gentle persuasion my son is so much more sociable now.’ An educational professional noted that the progress for one child since admission is ‘absolutely amazing’ and highlighted the improvement in personal presentation, general happiness and progress with schoolwork. Feedback from parents and external professionals demonstrates that joint working is highly effective. Comments include, ‘I have nothing but praise for them, they are open and honest and we work as a partnership.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are protected by robust safeguarding arrangements. High supervision levels mean that staff are always with children and respond quickly to issues arising. As a result, there have been no serious incidents. Staff are aware of, and respond well to, the needs of each child. Behaviours are understood in the context of individual disabilities, and behaviour management strategies are implemented accordingly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The initial registered manager remains in his post but has been absent from work for an extended period. The organisation has responded to the circumstances by putting forward a second person for registration. This means that there is again a registered manager in day-to-day charge of the home. Staff say that they feel supported in their role and speak with pride about the effective way that the members of the team work together. The management team has well organised systems in place to monitor the quality and effectiveness of care arrangements. Service development is central to the manager’s thinking. He is swift to take action when weaknesses are found, or when changes to practice may improve outcomes for children. For example, he evaluated the circumstances around a child’s difficulties with transitioning from the home to school. He worked with parents, the school and the staff to make adjustments to practice. As a result, the child’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

anxieties are reduced and he now readily leaves the home and enters the car for the school journey.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one requirement and four recommendations set at the time of the previous inspection have been addressed. The registered provider has submitted a copy of the updated statement of purpose to HMCI. This means that Ofsted is able to monitor changes to the service arrangements as endorsed at the time of registration. Medication administration is strengthened through the introduction of a medication protocol for a specific medication. Children’s daily records are now signed and dated. This provides an improved audit trail of the care provided to children. Records kept of incidents involving the use of a physical intervention are now consistently maintained. Activities which pose an increased risk to children are supported by improved guidance and risk management strategies. This strengthens safeguarding arrangements for children.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/07/2016 Full Good

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children’s home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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’. the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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