Children's home run by Lavender Grove Cares Ltd

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

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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

There has been no registered manager since 12 October 2022. The manager appointed in October 2022 left the post in April 2023 shortly after the last inspection. A manager has been in post since May 2023 and is applying to register 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved in. There were three children living at the home at the time of this inspection. The child who moved in has settled well. They said that they are very happy living at the home.

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The care of children

Children are improving their attendance at their education placements. One child had a history of non-attendance at school for several years. The manager has worked closely with the child and external professionals to help the child prepare for a return to education in September 2023. The child said that they are grateful for the help that the manager is giving them.

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The care of children

Children are maintaining relationships with their families and school friends. One child is being supported to return to their family home. Staff thoughtfully prepare to make the time that the child spends with their relatives positive and enjoyable.

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The care of children

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff. Children and staff interact confidently with warmth and respect. All the children said that they like and trust staff and that staff are kind. The manager works in a way that helps children to explore and celebrate their identity and heritage. This work has begun to counter previous adverse events that children have experienced.

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The care of children

Staff help children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles. Children are learning independence skills for healthy eating and taking exercise, including using a gym membership. Staff follow agreed expectations for children who smoke and encourage them to consider smoking cessation support.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding matters are regularly discussed at team meetings and in staff supervision. Staff know what they need to do if they have a concern about a child’s safety. There have been no safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. However, staff remain vigilant to the presenting risks for children.

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The safety of children

There have been no missing-from-home incidents. The managers are very experienced practitioners in supporting children who are at risk from exploitation or who have a history of being missing from home. Actions to counter the likelihood of events taking place are considered in detail. Pre-emptive work with children takes place so that early indicators can be spotted, and staff can take action. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 3 Staff have all had training in positive behaviour support. Records of incidents are well written and show that staff work to de-escalate behaviours. There have been no incidents when staff have needed to use a restrictive physical intervention. However, the required frequency of refresher training in the safe use of physical interventions is not clear.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has experienced a significant number of management changes, including since the last inspection. A manager who has worked in children’s residential and community-based care for several years has been appointed. They have applied to register with Ofsted. The provider has also appointed an operations manager, who intends to become the responsible individual. They have extensive experience in supporting children who are at risk of exploitation and being missing from home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are providing care and support in line with the statement of purpose. This document has been updated to reflect the change of manager. However, the revised statement of purpose has not been submitted to Ofsted within the required timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Improvements have been made to the home’s environment, including extensive redecoration. However, the garden areas require maintenance to remove weeds.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The management team has worked quickly to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Managers have an action plan and are tracking their progress against it. However, these managers have been in post for a short period of time, and their immediate actions will need to be embedded and sustained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff all say that the new manager’s arrival has been a very positive and important step for the home to improve. Staff feel empowered and upskilled to carry out their roles. Children all said that they have a good relationship with managers and like that managers provide direct support to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular and detailed supervision sessions. Team meetings take place monthly and have good attendance from staff. Staff training is up to date. Managers aim to provide staff with additional qualifications so that they can train colleagues. This is building confidence and improving morale and team spirit. Senior care staff said that managers are teaching them problem-solving skills. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/10/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 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, The 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 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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the manager registers with Ofsted and that the management of the home is from a skilled and consistent leadership team. 31 July 2023

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(b)) 14 August 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well maintained. In particular, they should ensure that the garden area receives regular maintenance. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 6  The registered person should ensure that they are clear about the frequency with which staff need refresher training in physical restraint. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.58) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Jamie Cousins, Social Care Inspector Assurance 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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Inspector

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