Children's home run by Lavender Group Homes

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC450701 1 SC450701

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Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It provides care and accommodation for children with learning difficulties. The home may only provide care and accommodation for up to six children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home does not currently have a registered manager in post.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to assess progress of the home following serious and widespread concerns being identified during the recent assurance visit. This monitoring visit took place off site. A risk assessment was undertaken which considered COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.

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This monitoring visit

A safeguarding concern was investigated and concluded. The children involved were supported by the home and external professionals. The manager has received guidance from the designated safeguarding officer around management of allegations against staff.

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This monitoring visit

The child protection policy has been reviewed and updated. It now contains clear guidance around the management of allegations and links to local policies and procedures.

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This monitoring visit

Not all staff have completed training around the behaviour and risk factors of children in the home. This means that some staff do not have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage specific risks.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments and support plans are now more detailed. They contain known risk factors for the individual child and guidance for staff on how to manage the risks. These plans do not contain details of an author or a date of review. There is no evidence of whether these documents are shared with the staff team or other professionals. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC450701 2 Not all of the requirements raised following the assurance visit were assessed during this visit. They will be carried over to the next inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/01/2020 Full Good 28/11/2018 Full Outstanding 12/02/2018 Full Good 22/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC450701 3

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 31/03/2021

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 31/03/2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC450701 4

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lavender Group Homes, Office 7 and 9, 10 The Headlands, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN15 7HP

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC450701 5 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 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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