Children's Home run by Maple Lodge Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 1 Registered provider: Maple Lodge Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately run and provides care for up to seven children who may have learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The first child moved into the home in March 2025. At the time of inspection, there were two children living at the home. The children contributed to the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The newly renovated home is well thought out and decorated to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their taste. Bedrooms reflect children’s personalities, which gives them a sense of ownership and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers have created a sensory room that holds considered resources that meet the children’s needs. This gives the children a calming or stimulating environment, which can enhance their well-being and emotional regulation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education. The children have appropriate education provisions in place and staff support them to attend. One child had issues with being transported to school. The manager communicated this difficulty to the local authority. Following this, the staff transport the child without incident.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff hold children at the centre of their work. Managers and staff discuss children’s progress, in regular key-worker meetings. Jointly, they review the care plan and routines and agree strategies to manage children’s emotions and complex behaviours. This helps staff to have a good understanding of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a range of activities at the home. One child enjoys dancing. Staff dance with them daily as part of their after-school routine. The staff are sourcing an appropriate dance school in the local area. This supports children to explore their interests and develop skills and hobbies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have different communication needs. Staff use helpful communication tools to give the children a voice. One child was observed using sign language as well as picture exchange communication systems to share their wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals who are involved with children are complimentary about the care the children receive. One social worker said, ‘[Child’s name] horizons have been broadened thanks to the managers and staff. Their life has been enriched since moving into the home.’

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

The children’s guide is child friendly and gives children a sense of what it is like living at the home. The guide is personalised for each child and contains information to help children understand who to speak to if they are worried or if they need support outside the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 3 Staff have undertaken the organisation’s safeguarding training. They are confident in their responsibilities of reporting and escalating any child protection concerns, and understand the whistle-blowing policy.

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

Staff use appropriate boundaries and guidance consistently. Combined with structure and routines, these help the children to feel secure and safe. Staff have the skills to manage and de-escalate challenging situations when needed. As a result, there have been no incidents that required physical intervention.

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

The house is safe and secure. There are comprehensive audit schedules in place. A programme of safety assurance is overseen by the manager, who has an excellent understanding of what is required to maintain the home to a high standard.

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

Managers did not consider one child’s identified risks when they moved into the home. A fully informed assessment of how the staff would meet the child’s needs and the potential impact on other children at the home was not carried out. The risk management plans had not been devised, meaning that staff would not have guidance in how to respond to an incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, suitably qualified and supported by a deputy manager and team leaders. Staff feel supported by the managers. One staff member said, ‘It has been great learning from such professional and knowledgeable people.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that children are protected by the organisation’s recruitment practices. Staff are checked and assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. These procedures contribute to the safety of children by preventing unsuitable adults from working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a detailed induction and training package. The manager ensures that staff are up to date with the home’s mandatory training. In addition, staff have received bespoke training that is designed to support their understanding of the children’s individual needs. Staff feel prepared and confident to provide the necessary care for the children as a result.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is innovative, creating opportunities for herself and staff to develop their skills and knowledge through regular workshops. Topics include understanding children’s attachment styles and trauma. These workshops have developed the staff’s understanding and knowledge, which enhances the care they provide to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a good advocate for children. She is confident to challenge placing authorities and professionals to ensure that children have access to the support and services that they require. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 4 The manager has been instrumental in embedding a child-centred culture. Children receive regular praise and positive affirmation. This is strengthening children’s emotional well-being and helping them to develop a positive view of themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One child moved into the home in an emergency. Their risks were not fully known, understood or communicated to staff. Accepting children in an emergency without planning and preparation does not align with the home’s statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s risk assessments detail all the children’s identified risks and the strategies in place to minimise these. 16 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (1) (6)) 16 May 2025

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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: 2821148 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Maple Lodge Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Argyle House, 3rd Floor, Northside, Joel Street, Northwood Hills, Middlesex HA6 1NW

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Inspector

Sarah Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2821148 7 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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