Children's home run by Lazarus Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 1 Registered provider: Lazarus Care Group Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A small private provider operates this home. The home offers care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2025 and holds a Level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered in August 2025, one child has moved in and currently lives at the home. Relationships between staff and the child are trusting and caring. Staff show a good understanding of how to meet the child’s needs well. The child said that they like living in the home and feel safe.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff support the child to make good progress in education. Prior to living in the home, the child did not attend school for a significant amount of time. Staff support the child with a consistent routine, this encourages the child to engage in their studies. Due to this, the child has aspirations to study in college.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The health of the child is actively promoted. Staff encourage regular walks in the community, and they support the child to cook balanced meals. Staff understand the child’s health needs and also ensure that they attend regular appointments. This supports the child’s overall well-being.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop their interests. The manager has created a monthly newsletter, this contains information on local activities and national events. Staff support the child living in the home to travel to army cadets and local youth groups. This supports the child to develop new skills and build friendship groups.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming and comfortable. Children are encouraged to personalise the home to reflect styles they like. When repair work is needed, leaders ensure that this is addressed promptly.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s documents and plans do not always contain up-to-date information. For example, the delegation of authority and local authority care plan were out of date and were not relevant to their current home. As a result, leaders cannot be assured that they are following the correct plans for the child.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The views and wishes of the child are not regularly captured. Leaders have not implemented a system where childrens views can be consistently gained. It is not clear how leaders use the voice of the child to inform practice.

p.2

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

Staff support children to stay safe online. Leaders and staff plan and deliver discussions and quizzes around associated risks. This provides the child with better awareness and contributes to safer online experiences for them.

p.2

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

There have been no allegations raised since the home has been registered. The child living in the home can identify adults to speak to if they have a concern. Since opening, one complaint has been made by the child. This was investigated by the manager, Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 3 relevant professionals were also notified. Due to the manager’s response, the child was assured that their concern was heard.

p.2

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

There are good systems in place to safeguard children. Risk management plans and missing protocols provide clear guidance, and they are regularly updated by the manager. As a result, staff are confident when responding to incidents.

p.3

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

Staff manage incidents involving self-harm well. Leaders create clear protocols for staff to follow, this is agreed with the child’s placing authority. Staff respond sensitively and use the trusting relationships they have with the child to ensure they feel supported during difficult times.

p.3

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

There are suitable arrangements for the management of medication. Leaders and staff complete regular audits to ensure clear oversight. Since the home has been registered, one medication error has taken place, the manager completed a robust investigation to explore what had happened. The staff team were provided with additional training and assessments. Following this, staff are more confident when administering medication.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a committed and experienced registered manager. She is supported by an experienced responsible individual and deputy manager. Together, they work well and form a strong leadership team. Leaders have a good understanding of the child’s needs and the staff team’s areas of strength and areas for development. This has contributed to the progress made by the child.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly reviews the quality of care provided at this home. She has robust monitoring systems in place, which she uses to identify areas for improvement. The manager also has a clear workforce plan, which she uses to identify team targets for the upcoming year. This has led to consistency and development of practice across the staff team.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by management. Leaders provide staff with regular and good-quality supervision. They allow reflection on current practice, and staff’s wellbeing is regularly checked on. One staff member said they ‘feel 100% supported by managers. Can speak to them at any point…I feel comfortable to speak to them.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are safely recruited. The manager has a robust system in place to ensure that she has received all relevant information. She is thorough in her approach and explores any discrepancies that have arisen. Due to this, the manager is assured staff are safe to work with children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a range of learning opportunities. The manager arranges bespoke training, which is relevant to the needs of the child. Team meetings are regular, and children are the key focus. Staff benefit from regular clinical meetings, which support them in their work with children. As a result, staff are confident in their roles and clear on their responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 4 Partnership working with external professionals is effective. Staff provide frequent updates on the child’s progress, this enables everyone to have the most up-to-date information. One professional commented, ‘Things have been positive, communication has been excellent and handled their needs really well.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 5

p.3

Recommendations

 Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up-to-date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. Case records must be kept up-to-date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. Children’s case records must be kept for 75 years from the date of birth of the child, or if the child dies before the age of 18, for 15 years from the date of his or her death. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2)

p.5

Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2846147 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lazarus Care Group Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o MPS Accountancy LTD Unit S The Wallows Industrial Estate, Fens Pool Avenue, Brierley Hill, England, DY5 1QA

p.6

Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2846147 7 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.

p.6

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 .

p.7

Inspector

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7