Children's Home run by Lakeside @ Our Place Limited in Worcestershire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 1 Registered provider: Lakeside @ Our Place Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this children’s home. It provides care for 10 children with learning disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and associated challenging behaviours.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Following this inspection, Ofsted was informed that the responsible individual and the manager have resigned.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed. He has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. On 15 November 2022, a monitoring visit was carried out following concerns raised with Ofsted about the quality of care provided to children and in response to the provider notifying Ofsted of seven medication errors since 9 September 2022.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Inspectors found serious and widespread failings regarding the administration and management of medication. As a result of the visit, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation at the home and a compliance notice under regulation 23, medicines.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On the 5 December 2022, a monitoring visit took place to review the notice of restriction and to monitor the progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice. Inspectors found that managers had complied with the restriction notice. However, managers had failed to make all necessary improvements to meet the steps in the compliance notice. Consequently, a compliance notice under 23, medicines, was issued again. The restriction of accommodation remained in place.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to review the provider’s adherence to the notice of restriction of accommodation and to evaluate what steps the provider had taken to Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 2 meet the compliance notice and requirements. The inspectors found that the provider has complied with the notice restricting accommodation.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. There are currently nine children living in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has made improvements to the recording of medication administration. Medication is now safely stored and administered. Staff consult with health professionals when changes to medication are required or when new medication has been prescribed. The managers have ensured that staff have specific medication training and that the internal policy is clear. Consequently, staff are more confident and skilled in meeting children’s health needs, risks to children have been reduced and the steps in the compliance notice have been met.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has improved the home environment, and the required repair work has taken place. The communal living spaces and children’s bedrooms have been repainted. In addition, children’s artwork and story boards are now displayed. Managers are working through a plan to further improve the living environment.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has developed systems to use when supporting children to leave the home. This includes information-sharing with new carers and providing children with a transition planner that seeks their wishes and feelings. The manager has updated the home’s central log to reflect dates when children moved out of the home and details of where they have moved.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced systems to improve partnership working with education professionals, parents and social workers. This includes sending weekly reports to provide an update on children’s care and progress. Professionals spoken to during the inspection were positive about the care provided. One social worker shared that communication is regular and effective.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There continue to be shortfalls with children’s written risk assessments. Managers do not ensure that risk assessments have sufficient detail, and risk management strategies provided to staff lack rigour and clarity. For example, there is no guidance for staff when supporting a child following an incident of self-harm.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have taken action when allegations have been made against a staff member. However, on one occasion, managers failed to ensure that the local authority designated officer (LADO) was promptly informed. This did not impact on the care given to the children; however, this failing prevents safeguarding agencies from having oversight of the home and taking prompt action.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have used restraint appropriately to support children to keep safe. Records relating to restraint have been completed satisfactorily. Following the incidents, children can share their views using a range of different communication tools suited to their individual needs. The manager reviews records to evaluate restraint practice. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 3 Following the last inspection, the manager has updated the statement of purpose to reflect the use of surveillance systems in the home. However, managers have still not implemented a written assessment for each child to reflect the rationale for using monitors. Furthermore, CCTV is used without a sufficient assessment of need. This means that surveillance is used outside of the home’s internal policy.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, staff have completed additional training. However, not all staff have completed training specific to the children’s presenting needs. For example, some staff still require autism spectrum disorder training. In addition, not all managers have completed supervision training. The manager has plans to ensure that this shortfall is rectified, and appropriate training has been identified. This has been made a requirement and will be monitored at the next inspection.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The staffing rotas do not demonstrate that children have been provided with sufficient staff in line with their agreed plans. Furthermore, one rota indicated that a staff member had worked in the home while they had been suspended. During the inspection, the manager provided evidence that this was not the case. Shortfalls in maintaining an accurate record of staffing have been raised as a requirement.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The manager’s quality of care review was submitted late. In addition, the report did not include any feedback from children. This does not ensure a thorough understanding of the experiences of children.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The internal monitoring systems used by managers have not been effective in responding to shortfalls in practice. Furthermore, shortfalls raised during this inspection were raised at the previous inspection and are now repeated. Managers have acknowledged the shortfalls raised at this inspection and shared that they are determined to rectify them.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The managers have taken steps to address the compliance notice. Managers have addressed five of the requirements and one recommendation made at the last inspection. The restriction of accommodation has now been lifted. The requirements issued at this inspection will be monitored at the next inspection. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that concerns about staff practice are promptly referred to the LADO in line with safeguarding procedures.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person should ensure that risk assessments contain up-to-date, clear and specific guidance for staff to follow. 11 March 2023

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 11 March 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that staff have received training that is specific to meeting the needs of the children.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Additionally, the manager must review and evaluate the quality of care and improve practice.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This was raised at the last inspection and has been restated.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that managers demonstrate child-centred planning when children move into and out of the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has been restated. 11 March 2023

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if— 11 March 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 7 the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safe- guarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children. (Regulation 24 (1)(a))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that door alarms, CCTV and radios are only used as set out in a child’s agreed risk assessment.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has been restated.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case rec- ords") for each child which—

p.7

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the need for a child’s up-to-date care plan and education plan to be in place. 11 March 2023

p.7

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.

p.7

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lakeside @ Our Place Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lakeside, Bransford, Worcester, Worcestershire WR6 5JE

p.8

Inspectors

Sophie Hills, Social Care Inspector Janet Fraser, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2553111 9 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.

p.8

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9