Children's home run by Lavender Grove Cares Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 1 Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares Limited

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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 with complex social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been in post since October 2022 and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

There are two children currently living at the home. Since the last inspection, children have settled and are engaging well with staff. Both children have started to attend school. This is progress for children who have been out of education. Children’s attendance is not consistent, but staff work closely with schools and the virtual inclusion officer to support children to attend.

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The care of children

Children are encouraged to build positive friendships and have their friends to visit them. This enables staff to build positive relationships with children’s friends and assess their suitability. Building friendships increases children’s social networks.

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The care of children

Staff support family visits to help children to maintain relationships with family members. Staff transport children to visit their families, and families visit children at the home.

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The care of children

The home is welcoming and decorated to a good standard. Children have been involved in choosing colour schemes and pictures for the house. This gives children a sense of belonging.

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The care of children

Interactions between staff and children have improved and this has helped children to feel settled. One child has redecorated her bedroom and brought accessories from home. This encourages children to accept living at the home.

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The care of children

Children’s care plans have been developed and are reviewed monthly with the child. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are used to inform their care. This helps children to understand their care plans and how adults will support them. Staff understand the importance for children to be involved in decisions that involve their care.

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The safety of children

Missing-from-care incidents have increased for one child. During these incidents, staff work closely with the police and other agencies to encourage the child to return. Regular safety planning and strategy meetings consider the risks to the child. Staff arrange return home interviews for the child. The social worker said that, while there are concerns, the duration that the child is missing for and the distance they go have decreased. The social worker said, ‘Staff do everything they can to keep her safe.’ Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 3 There have been occasions when staff have been unable to manage a child’s behaviour, which has led to the police being called. However, this is as a last resort to keep the child safe. Behaviour plans inform staff of children’s triggers and guide their responses to incidents. This helps staff to work consistently and this benefits the children.

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The safety of children

Staff safeguard the children well. Staff have received recent face-to-face safeguarding training. Comprehensive risk assessments support the staff in keeping children safe. These assessments are regularly reviewed, and amended when necessary. This means that staff have relevant and up-to-date information to reduce any risks.

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The safety of children

There have been no concerning safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. Safeguarding records are clear and staff show professional curiosity when talking to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager was appointed in October and is in the process of registering with Ofsted. She has the experience and qualifications to manage the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision. Supervision meetings relate to children, safeguarding, staff practice and staff development. Regular staff meetings help staff to understand children’s behaviours and support them to work consistently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A consistent staff team is now in place, and this supports the children to build and maintain positive relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Most staff have the level three or level five qualification in residential childcare. Once staff have worked through their probation period, they start to work towards a qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Recruitment and retention of staff have improved. A stable staff team helps children to experience stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff use appropriate consequences in response to children’s unwanted behaviour; however, the manager does not evaluate the effectiveness of these. This means that opportunities to understand the impact of the consequence or whether it is meaningful to the child are missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The six requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection have been met. One new requirement has been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/10/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 28/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance 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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(ii)) 30 November 2022 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 6

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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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 7 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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Inspector

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