Children's home run by Lavender Grove Cares Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 1 Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children aged between five and 18 years with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 21 April 2021. A manager has been in post since November 2021 and is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 27 October 2021

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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Inspection date: 9 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection in October 2021, the home was judged as declined in effectiveness. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager and deputy have been appointed since the last inspection. They work well together and have a clear vision of how they want the home to progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three children are living at the home. Two children successfully moved on to independent living and two children have moved into the home. A child spoken with during the inspection said that he likes the manager. He said, ‘You know where you are with her. If you do something good, you are rewarded.’ He said that he feels safe living at the home because the staff care about him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the structure of the children’s meetings. Staff use these meetings to check that children feel safe, remind them how to make a complaint and gain their views about the running of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff benefit from structured staff meetings and clear guidance and strategies on how to work with each child. This ensures that the children receive a consistent approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A serious incident occurred when a child gained access to a knife. Staff acted appropriately. The child returned the knife, and a key-work session was completed. However, the risk assessment was not updated after the incident. This potentially means that some staff may not fully understand current levels of risk and how to manage these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff now receive good-quality supervision which prioritises professional development and practice needs. The staff feel supported by the manager and deputy in their roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children feel listened to and spoke fondly of the manager and staff. They have developed positive relationships. A child said that he is happy at the home. The staff have supported him back into education. The child said that he ‘wouldn’t change a thing’. The positive relationships between the staff and children have helped the children to develop a more secure emotional base. This has contributed to a decrease in children going missing and incidents at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The atmosphere in the home is calm and organised. Children have clear daily routines. A child said that staff are respectful, and the boundaries and expectations are clear to him. This has helped him settle into the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 3 The manager has met six of the requirements from the last inspection. Two are restated. All the recommendations have been met. Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/10/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 28/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 5

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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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Requirement 12 (1) (2)(a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 19 April 2022

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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 home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments are updated after an incident.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 19 April 2022 Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 6

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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 for children's home: 2569520 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Gothic Cottage, Moreton Road, Ongar, Essex CM5 0EZ

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Inspector

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2569520 8 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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