Children's home run by Lioncare Ltd Operating as The Lioncare Group

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2483691 1

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Lioncare Ltd Operating as The Lioncare Group

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who may have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since 1 January 2021.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken following an increase in notifications received by Ofsted. This related to significant incidents involving children and allegations against staff. The visit was undertaken remotely, in line with COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance. The inspector spoke with staff, the acting manager, responsible individual and two professionals as part of this visit, children’s feedback was captured through discussions held with the professional network. There has been a change in the management of the home following the previous registered manager leaving. The previous deputy manager is now acting manager.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are committed to the children. This includes during times when children have displayed behaviours which may be challenging. Through their sound understanding of individual children, staff have been able to respond empathically to them. Feedback from one professional exemplified the team’s approach of continuing to be there for one child. They said staff have been ‘brilliant’ and have stood by the child. The detailed individual risk management plans provide staff with effective strategies to respond to each child’s identified risks. There were some inconsistencies between risk assessments and behaviour support plans with regards to the agreed strategies to support children.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s emotional well-being has been promoted positively by staff. Access to specialist therapeutic services has been appropriately advocated by the acting manager. Collaborative working between services has helped children to engage in Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2483691 2 their learning. Children’s engagement in education has been supported well by the education staff from the in-house school, who visited to help them with their learning.

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This monitoring visit

Consultation with children is embedded well through the regular group meetings. These provide children with the space to discuss their experiences and to talk about the group dynamics of living together in the home. Children help plan activities and are involved in planning the redecoration of the house. Staff support children to choose colour schemes, purchase materials and to help with the painting. The home was being redecorated during the visit. The virtual tour of the home showed the improvements that have been made to the home.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding practice is effective. There have been some significant safeguarding concerns which have been appropriately responded to by the staff. Professionals have commented on the proactive approach of the management team. This has ensured effective information-sharing with statutory agencies. Children have thus been safeguarded from emerging risks posed outside of the home. There has been a thorough response to allegations relating to staff. There is collaborative working with the designated officer by the acting manager.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager has a sound therapeutic understanding of the children’s individual needs. Importantly, their empathic and reflective approach helps staff to understand what the children’s behaviour is communicating to the team. Staff are reflective and caring in their response to children’s needs. Children have received a positive and consistent experience of care throughout the period where the management changes have occurred.

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This monitoring visit

The home has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The responsible individual implemented effective contingency planning in response to this. This included the responsible individual taking over day-to-day management of the home for a limited period. The whole staff team was committed to ensuring continuity of care for the children. Staff reported that they felt really well supported by the senior leadership team throughout the pandemic. The responsible individual was effective in working collaboratively with all relevant agencies to ensure the health and safety of children and staff. This resulted in the children being well cared for during this difficult time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/02/2020 Full Good 19/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2483691 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that identified risks are recorded in corresponding behaviour support plans when reviewing risk management plans for each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: Lioncare Ltd Operating as The Lioncare Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 58a Livingstone Road, Hove, Sussex BN3 3WL

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Inspector

Maria Lonergan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2483691 4 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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