Children's home run by Lavender Group Homes

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness . No children have moved in or out of the home since the last inspection. One child, who has lived here for many years, is due to move out over the coming months. The child said, ‘I feel a bit nervous about the move but I can talk to the staff.’ The manager is advocating for the child to have a gradual transition to an adult provision. She is also seeking clarity on the expected timescales for the move as she recognises that the lack of information is increasing the child’s levels of anxiety about her pending move. Children continue to make great progress from their starting points. A professional described one child’s progress as ‘a massive transformation’. He said, ‘Prior to moving in, it would take a number of people to get [child] into and out of the vehicle as she did not want to go to school. She now happily attends school and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

even packs her own school bag.’ All the children achieve exceptionally high levels of school attendance. One child is currently having home tuition as she has recently been experiencing some difficulties at school. The child said that the positive in this is that ‘I get to have one-to-one time with the tutors.’ The children take part in a range of individual and group activities. These include circus skills, horse-riding and swimming. In addition to being fun and healthy, the activities also offer the children sensory experiences and the ability to build on their coordination skills. The manager has introduced an awards system where the children have set targets, linked to their care plans, and the staff score each child’s progress weekly. The children receive small prizes at set points as they work towards a large reward such as a theatre trip. This encourages the children to try to achieve their targets

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and to work towards their chosen reward. Each child completes tasks that equip them with life skills and develop their levels of independence. The children’s individual independence folder details information about how they managed the various tasks and lessons learned and includes pictures of them completing the tasks and activities. This enables the children to see their own progress and assists the key workers in introducing new tasks at a pace that suits each child. There has been one occasion when a child was out without permission. The staff reported him as missing from home due to his level of vulnerability. These types of event are extremely rare and the staff responded appropriately. There have been no physical interventions, complaints or other significant events. The manager has completed the Level 5 qualification. She addressed the recommendation made at the last inspection by enrolling all the eligible staff on the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Level 3 residential qualification. This ensures that all the staff complete the modules that apply to residential care. The staff said that they feel supported by the manager and described her as ‘approachable and straight down the line’. The manager has a good grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She has a development plan to further enhance aspects of the service such as increasing the children’s social development by encouraging them to have friends over. One child said excitedly, ‘My friend is coming to dinner on Friday.’ The manager has introduced a staff newsletter and a staff awards system. The children vote for the staff member of the month and the manager votes for the employee of the month. She feels that this is a positive way to celebrate the team’s hard work. Professionals are very positive about the partnership working relationship that they have with the manager and the staff. They are also positive about the difference

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that the home is making to the children and their families. They said:  ‘They are very proactive and are great at sourcing activities locally.’  ‘Communication is really good. The parents are really pleased and [child] is happy there.’  ‘His needs are being met and he is responding to the boundaries that the staff put in place.’

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care and accommodation for six children who have a diagnosed learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 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 that 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 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 whom 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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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