Children's Home run by Lifeworks Charity Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 1 SC003792 Registered Provider: Lifeworks Charity Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a charitable trust. It provides care for up to 10 children who may have sensory impairment, learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. This includes up to four residential and six short-break places. Currently, two children live in the home, and 12 children visit for short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since January 2023. A manager was appointed in March 2023. They have withdrawn their application to register with Ofsted following a decision by the provider to close the home.

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This monitoring visit

Serious concerns in relation to the care or protection of children were identified at the assurance inspection that was carried out on 29 June 2023. Following this inspection, a compliance notice relating to the quality and purpose of care standard was issued. This monitoring visit was completed to review the actions taken by the provider to address the compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the registered provider has notified Ofsted of its intention to close the home at the end of October 2023.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, concerns in relation to the care and/or protection of children were identified, and the compliance notice is not met.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have failed to implement actions to improve all areas of the home environment for children. Some new furnishings have been provided for children, and wallpaper has been repaired. Other areas of the home have not been improved, including flooring that is worn or marked, one child’s bed that is scuffed and a child’s sofa that has torn fabric. O utside areas are not well maintained and are Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 2 not welcoming spaces for children to enjoy. A recommendation made from a fire risk assessment relating to the home environment has not progressed.

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This monitoring visit

Shortfalls relating to the leadership and management of the home remain. Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that there is sufficient oversight of children’s daily care and safety. Subsequently, managers have failed to identify discrepancies recorded relating to one child being administered paracetamol.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have failed to implement systems to ensure that the quality of care is monitored effectively. When incidents occur, staff interventions that keep children safe are recorded and children’s views are gathered. A new system in place has increased oversight of incidents. However, daily records fail to include the actions that staff take to ensure that children are cared for safely in times of distress.

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This monitoring visit

Staff use communication aids effectively to understand children’s wishes about the activities that they would like to participate in, and they are involved with the decoration of rooms in the home. Photos of children enjoying activities are included in individual books, which are shared with their families.

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This monitoring visit

Additional training to enhance staff’s skills and improve responses to children has not yet been received by all staff members, and supervision sessions are not carried out regularly. This limits opportunities to promote consistent care. Staff have provided their feedback to managers about the quality of care. However, comprehensive reviews to identify themes and implement any actions are not yet carried out.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no changes in staffing arrangements, and there are no plans for new children to move into the home or attend for short breaks. Managers have notified children’s families of their intention to close the home. They are liaising with children’s placing authorities to identify alternative care and support provisions.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, a new compliance notice has been issued relating to the quality of care provided to children. Ofsted will visit the home to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home in due course. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/06/2021 Full Good 03/12/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 4

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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 and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must take urgent action to review the home environment to ensure that decoration and furnishings are suitable and that the premises provide a welcoming environment for children.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered provider must improve and increase management oversight in the home to ensure that children are cared for safely. A clear system for recording and reviewing children’s care effectively must be implemented. 8 September 2023

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 5

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lifeworks Charity Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lescaze Offices Room, 33 Shinners Bridge, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6JD

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Laura Fraser-Crewes

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Inspector

Louise Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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