Children's home run by Lavender Grove Cares Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 1 Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. No other children have moved in or out since. They had been living in the home approximately four months and spoke positively with the inspector, describing the home as ‘amazing’ and saying, ‘It’s not like a care home, more like a big family.’ Staff have built strong, trusting relationships with the child, and her views are consistently listened to and acted on. There is a clear sense of mutual respect and collaboration between the child and staff.

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The care of children

The child’s physical, emotional, social, health and educational needs are well met. The home has supported the child’s engagement in education and encouraged participation in therapeutic support. Family relationships are promoted, with flexible arrangements in place that allow the child to spend regular time with her family.

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The care of children

Children who move into the home are well considered. Leaders and managers ensure that the staff have the capacity and skills to meet children’s needs.

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The care of children

The home is spacious, clean, tidy and well decorated. Communal areas and furnishings are of a good standard. However, the child’s bedroom is fitted with a door alarm, but no assessment has been completed for this. Such measures should be assessed and reviewed regularly to make sure they are meeting the child’s needs.

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The safety of children

Staff know the child well and can safeguard her effectively. Detailed care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans provide clear guidance on the child’s risks and triggers, and on the most appropriate responses. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to support the child in moments of distress. Staff balance safety with a least restrictive approach and follow up incidents with key-work sessions, which are recorded regularly.

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The safety of children

Staff work well with external professionals. Feedback from professionals was overwhelmingly positive, with one stating, ‘The home is lovely; the staff are lovely. I’m not sure there is much more the placement can do to keep her safe.’

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The safety of children

Missing-from-home incidents have been managed appropriately. On most occasions, staff report incidents promptly, conduct their own enquiries and follow agreed protocols. Risks relating to child sexual exploitation, self-harm and mental health are also well managed. However, there were at least two occasions where records Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 3 failed to show that staff maintained appropriate levels of care and support for the child.

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The safety of children

Many records were of good quality and well written. However, some records lack sufficient detail. For example, some room search reports, and some missing-from- home records, were brief and lacked meaningful and necessary information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A new manager has been appointed since the last inspection. The manager has led a positive culture of change and improvement. She is well supported by the deputy manager and responsible individual. Positive feedback was received from the child, her parent and external professionals, particularly regarding the manager’s proactive approach to risk and communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has responded effectively to previous recommendations and requirements. Oversight of the home is strong, with good use of internal and external monitoring systems. For example, missing-from-home records are reviewed regularly, and advice from the independent visitor has been acted on, including updates to the locality assessment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are well supported. Training is accessible and up to date. Staff have also undertaken specialist training to support children. Supervision is regular and reflective, with records showing a range of topics discussed and areas for development identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

One complaint was made by the child regarding access to personal items. The manager responded fairly and transparently, balancing the rationale for the original decision with a willingness to reconsider and accept the child’s request. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/04/2024 Full Good 20/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 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;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should ensure that staff understand their roles in safeguarding and supervising children and make arrangements to protect children from harm. 30 October 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home seeks as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, additional security or monitoring items such as door alarms should only be used when there is an assessed need. ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 6 and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. In particular, records should include sufficient detail and any important information relating to an event or incident. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lavender Grove Cares

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Gothic Cottage, Moreton Road, Ongar CM5 0EZ

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Inspector

Daniel Rankin, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2569520 8 regulates and inspects 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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