Children's Home run by Lodge Group Care UK Limited in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 1 SC064182 Registered provider: Lodge Group Care UK Limited 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 six children. According to the statement of purpose, the home provides care for children with autism and learning disabilities. The service offers five long-term placements and one short-term placement.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2013.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, five children were living in the home, and one child was accessing short-break care. The inspector met all five children living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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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: 15 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good 09/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have built warm and gentle relationships with children. They speak proudly about each child, highlighting their personal traits. Staff use the Picture Exchange Communication System to support children in expressing their needs. Staff wear lanyards with images that the children can select to aid in this process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children freely explore their home and surroundings. They can use the sensory room, arts and crafts room, and outdoor space. Each child has a communication book, in which they choose activities for the day. This encourages them to make their own decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress. The registered manager expects staff to help them grow and develop. A social worker said, ‘They provide support, education, life skills, and sensory activities both at home and outside.’ Another social worker noted that the staff work hard with the virtual school. . Social workers, teachers and parents said that communication is a key strength of the home. Staff keep them informed and provide updates and monthly reports. When important issues about the children emerge, the registered manager listens and acts.

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

Children are supported effectively by staff who consistently adhere to clear behaviour support plans. These plans identify each child’s specific triggers and equip staff with tools to de-escalate challenging behaviours. Although all staff members are trained in physical intervention techniques, they have successfully managed situations without needing to use them.

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

When incidents occur, staff explore solutions to limit further occurrences. This reflection has resulted in fewer incidents involving the children.

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

Parents and social workers say that the children are happy and safe. They believe the team is dedicated to caring for children. They value the quality of care provided to the children.

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

There is strong supervision of children, helping staff protect them and others in the home and community. Staff understand each child’s unique and complex needs, especially those with additional health needs. They know how important supervision is for safety.

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

Staff understand their roles and ensure that children are safe. The registered manager covers this in training and works with other professionals. For example, even though there have been no reportable incidents, the registered manager has liaised with the Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 4 local authority designated safeguarding officer to keep the staff informed of any current safeguarding themes or issues and to enhance their knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager encourages a culture of passion and enthusiasm. They aim to do the best for the children and help each child to make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows the children well and understands their needs. All staff members share this knowledge. They engage in discussions and update important documents. They recognise that documents need frequent updates as children grow, develop and change at a rapid pace.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively. For instance, they arrange training sessions on engaging with nonverbal children. Additionally, the registered manager closely monitors and reviews how staff apply this training, supporting them in integrating the new knowledge into their daily practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is also a strong advocate for the children. This was evident in a specific health case involving a child. Unsatisfied with the initial outcome, the registered manager ensured that health professionals thoroughly explored all available options. Through their persistent efforts, they secured an appointment with a specialist to address the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Parents, social workers and teachers consistently provide positive feedback. A key strength of the home lies in the leaders’ high aspirations for the children and their effective communication skills. This promotes transparency and openness, which play a significant role in the children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

However, the home has notable shortcomings in its maintenance and furnishings. Several items and areas in the environment require repair or replacement. Maintenance records indicate that some furnishings have been overdue for replacement for an extended period. Additionally, not all necessary repairs and maintenance tasks are documented, leading to delays in addressing these issues. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 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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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirements Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirements Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirements Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirements Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(vii)(viii)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that repairs and maintenance tasks are swiftly addressed. They must ensure that furnishings are repaired or replaced in a timely manner. 5 May 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 6

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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: SC064182 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lodge Group Care UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 87 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8JA

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Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC064182 8 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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