Children's home run by HAVEN CARE GROUP LIMITED

Inspection report children’s home: 1244350 1 Registered provider: Holly Lodge Home Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has skilfully matched the three children in placement, who are aged between seven and nine. They have all struggled to form friendships and engage with adults in the past, but are settled and happy in the home. This has led to improved effectiveness in the care and progress of the children. The children are enjoying warm and trusting relationships with child-focused staff and are making friends in the home and community. Dedicated staff provide the children with a comfortable, homely and nurturing environment and children respond positively to this. The social worker for one child said that this is his longest placement and that it has provided him with the stability that he needs. She says he has ‘blossomed’, is now able to have conversations with adults and his social skills have developed. He was previously ‘addicted’ to technology and now goes swimming and wants guitar lessons.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Inspection report children’s home: 1244350 2 Children are making progress in their emotional, social and physical development, in family contact and in education attendance and achievement. A family member commented, ‘This home has been amazing, his behaviours are getting better and better. He said he loves it and likes all the staff. He is being properly looked after.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is now focused on providing staff with training on attachment theory and the PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) model of care in order to enhance their understanding and practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to keep children safe and the registered manager is diligent in reviewing and updating detailed risk assessments and behaviour management plans. A consistent staff team, clear boundaries and the staff’s in-depth understanding of children’s triggers all contribute to keeping children safe. Staff work with children in age-appropriate ways to help them understand issues like stranger danger and crossing the road safely. Children do not go missing or self-harm. No children are assessed as being at risk of child sexual exploitation but staff are trained to recognise risks and respond appropriately. Children feel safe and say that they can go to any of the staff if they are worried or upset.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to work effectively with a range of professionals and to advocate on behalf of children when they feel that their needs are not being met. One child is not yet in education. The registered manager is advocating strongly on his behalf for him to attend a school in his home area, so that he does not face a change of school if he is able to return to his family. Staff have formed positive relationships with family members. One family member commented, ‘The manager is interested in the family; they went to see his mum when she was in hospital. They go well over and above what can be expected. Nothing is too much trouble for them. The manager is an incredible person who is creating a home. I am so indebted to her. They are amazing, amazing people.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is organised and well run, and the registered manager provides staff with reflective supervision and ensures that any practice issues are quickly addressed through training and discussions. The registered manager efficiently addressed some recent medication errors, and staff can now demonstrate their understanding of the recording system and how to safely administer medication to children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are two areas for improvement in the home, both of which the registered manager is aware of and keen to address. Admitting a younger age group has led to questions being asked by the children about sexual development and behaviour, which staff have not been fully prepared for. Staff need to be able to respond in an age- appropriate way to these questions and provide children with the level of information and understanding that they need.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

While the home is welcoming and provides children with a comfortable environment, it is in need of redecoration and the paintwork on the fire doors is dirty and stained. These doors have an institutional look to them. Staff are spending time decorating the home Inspection report children’s home: 1244350 3 themselves when they need to be prioritising time with the children. The home lacks storage for outdoor play equipment and children’s push-bikes are out in the garden where they are insecure and open to the weather.

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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, 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, and inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that ensures that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) and (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

With particular reference to staff knowing how to respond to children in age-appropriate ways regarding sexual development and behaviour. 23/02/2018

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with the relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. Inspection report children’s home: 1244350 4 (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

This is with particular reference to improving the appearance of the fire doors which look institutional and to the general standard of decoration in the home being improved. The home also needs storage for young people’s push-bikes and for garden furniture and toys.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

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 children’s home: 1244350 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Holly Lodge Home Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 29, Anglesey Business Centre, Anglesey Road, Branston, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3NT

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Inspector

Louise Whittle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1244350 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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