Children's Home run by Linden Oak Homes Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 1 Registered provider: Linden Oak Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 25 November 2023. A new manager has been in post since December 2023 and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since it opened, one child has moved into this home. The child’s social worker described the staff who coordinated the moving-in process as ‘really thoughtful’.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular direct-work sessions take place with the child. These offer support and guidance to the child around a range of topics. The sensitive approach taken by staff means that the child is reflective, listens and takes an active part in these meetings.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Currently, the child does not have an identified education provision. Staff are actively working with the placing authority to find a suitable learning environment. In the meantime, tutors provide on-site lessons in key subjects such as English and mathematics. Alongside this, the child engages with regular animal therapy sessions, which they enjoy.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and maintained. The child benefits from a variety of spaces where they can relax and take part in activities. Photos around the house capture the child’s varied adventures with staff and create a homely feel.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since living at this children’s home, the child has become safer. Their missing-from- home episodes have significantly decreased compared to when they were living in their previous home. The child has been reported missing only once and staff responded appropriately to help them return safely.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff support the child to learn how to keep safe online. They also undertake appropriate checks of online purchases to ensure that any items purchased are suitable.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Information for staff that details the child’s risks has not been updated following the missing-from-home episode and an online shopping incident. This potentially means that new staff would not be fully aware of the child’s recent behaviours and actions to take to reduce risks.

p.2

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff recruitment systems meet regulations. However, there was no formal risk assessment for one member of staff who started work alongside other staff with one aspect of their recruitment process still outstanding.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since this home opened, the registered manager has left. A new manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 3 Staff receive training in a wide range of topics. This prepares them to meet all the child’s needs. Staff receive a detailed induction into the home. This ensures that they are familiar with relevant policies and procedures.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision that includes feedback on their practice and helps each staff member to develop professionally. Staff spoke positively about the support and guidance they receive from the senior leadership team.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the home opened, a small core of staff have undertaken the vast majority of shifts. This has provided consistency for the child. However, this has meant that some staff are working excessive hours week-on-week. This risks staff making errors due to tiredness, and risks sickness or burnout. Positively, new staff are currently being recruited. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirements 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.4

Requirements Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirements Due date

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

p.4

Requirements Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(d)) 31 March 2024

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

p.4

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the Social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Linden Oak Homes Ltd

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 112 Morden Road, London SW19 3BP

p.5

Inspector

Anna Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2737081 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6