Children's Home run by Lakeside @ Our Place Limited in Worcestershire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 1 Assurance inspection

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to 10 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider also operates a registered school in a separate building on the same grounds. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025. She is working towards a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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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 inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 2553111 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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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was undertaken due to a concern about a serious incident being raised to the regulator.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the visit, seven children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, three children have moved from the home. One has returned to their family and two have moved on to adult care provisions. No children have moved into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have made improvements to the home environment, including redecoration and personalisation of children’s rooms. The cleanliness is much improved, with the implementation of a regular cleaning schedule. There are some areas that need attention due to minor damage and to ensure that they are inviting spaces for children to use.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are cared for by staff who know them well. Staff support children’s independence and cultural and religious needs. They ensure children have access to a wide range of social opportunities, including holidays during the summer and day trips tailored to children’s preferences. Seasonal events, such as Halloween, are celebrated with engaging activities.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work well with health professionals to maintain children’s health. They seek advice when concerns arise and ensure children attend appointments. For example, one child previously had poor eating habits, but these have now improved, and the child has appropriately gained weight.

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Findings from the inspection

At times, children can display behaviours that are difficult to manage, and there have been relatively frequent incidents where staff have needed to use physical intervention. These interventions have been used to keep children safe. However, the quality of recording varies and does not consistently include all required details. On occasion, staff administer prescribed ‘pro re nata’ medication to help a child manage anxiety. However, behaviour management records do not clearly outline the agreement for this, including when it should be used and what behaviours it is intended to address. This limits the manager’s ability to evaluate the appropriateness of interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

Monitoring and oversight by managers and leaders are not sufficiently robust. They have not identified where records of physical interventions lack clarity and accuracy. Leaders have also not demonstrated professional curiosity in reviewing these incidents, such as seeking clarification on staff actions or following up on suggestions. Opportunities to use any learning from speaking to staff and children following incidents have also been missed. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 3 Managers have not ensured that all safer recruitment checks have been completed for agency staff. For one worker, a full employment history and overseas checks were missing. Failures to ensure that all necessary checks are completed could result in unsuitable individuals working with children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and leaders have undertaken their own audits, following recent concerns that were raised in relation to children’s care. In addition, children’s placing authorities have visited and undertaken their own quality assurance. These audits have highlighted similar shortfalls. An action plan is in place, and the manager has started making the necessary improvements.

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Findings from the inspection

External professionals and parents spoke positively about the home, staff and managers. One parent commented on how they felt listened to and valued as a parent.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has made progress in addressing the previous requirements and recommendations. One requirement and four recommendations have been met. One requirement, in relation to safer recruitment checks, remains unmet and has been reinstated. Another requirement could not be assessed at this inspection and will be reviewed at the next visit. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/06/2025 Full Good 30/04/2024 Full Good 18/04/2023 Full Good 23/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records of physical interventions are accurate and contain all the relevant information required. 2 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 6 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all necessary safer recruitment checks are undertaken for agency staff working at the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 2 January 2026

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Requirement 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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each 2 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 7 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the manager uses their monitoring and oversight effectively to ensure records are full and accurate and that they use professional curiosity in exploring action staff have taken, specifically when using physical intervention, to ensure the intervention was appropriate and proportionate.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff provide consistent care and that children have opportunities to experience positive mealtimes.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and was not assessed at this visit. It will be assessed at the next inspection. 18 July 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 8

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well maintained at all times. In addition, ensure that other areas such as the pod are tidy and welcoming to children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.3) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bransford, Worcester, Worcestershire WR6 5JE

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Inspectors

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Alison Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2553111 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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