Children's Home run by Lifeworks Charity Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 1 SC003792

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Lifeworks Charity Limited

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 They have withdrawn their application to register with Ofsted following a decision by the provider to close the home.

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Information about this children’s home

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

Serious concerns in relation to the care and protection of children were identified at the assurance inspection that was carried out on 29 June 2023. Following that inspection, a compliance notice relating to the quality and purpose of care standard was issued. Ofsted completed a monitoring visit to determine if the compliance notice had been met on 8 August 2023. At that visit, we deemed that it had not been met and a new compliance notice was issued. This visit was completed to monitor the notice.

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This monitoring visit

The compliance notice required the provider to address failings in respect of the management oversight of the home to ensure that children are cared for safely. The notice also outlined the need for urgent action to be taken to improve the home environment to ensure that decoration and furnishings are suitable and that the premises provide a welcoming environment for children. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 2 Management oversight has been significantly increased to ensure that standards of care improve. Leaders and managers are now visible in the home daily to provide support to the care team. A new handover process has been implemented to ensure that carers are sharing information about children’s needs between shifts effectively. Thorough audits of care records are being routinely completed. This is helping to identify and promote learning opportunities for the care team. This is also helping to

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This monitoring visit

ensure that carers are clear about the needs of each individual child and how to meet these needs.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have worked hard to improve the environment for children. A great deal of maintenance and refurbishment work has been completed. A few areas that are outstanding are planned to be completed. This includes installing a shutter in the kitchen area, which was a recommendation from a fire safety visit. Overall, the environment is now welcoming and homely for children.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, no serious ongoing concerns were identified regarding the care or protection of children. The compliance notice is met.

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Recent inspection history

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 3

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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 4

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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

Polly Soper, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC003792 5 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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