Children's Home run by Lonsdale Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 1 Registered provider: Lonsdale Care Ltd

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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 owned by a private company. It offers care for up to 4 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties. It also offers care for children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2022, and the manager registered in September 2023.

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Information about this children's home

There were 3 children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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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: 10 December 2024

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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: 2676352 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Good 21/02/2024 Full Good 29/11/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 3 children have experienced positives moves on from the home. Staff supported one child to move into independent living accommodation, one child to return to their family and one child to transition to foster care. Two new children have moved into the home. One moved in as an emergency admission, and one was a planned move. Both children experienced a positive transition into the home and are beginning to make progress in all areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled and staff provide children with stability. Family members and professionals speak highly of staff and the care they provide for children. One social worker said, 'Progress is absolutely amazing; never seen a child make this amount of progress'. This demonstrates that the manager and staff are providing children with consistent and effective care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a welcoming and homely feel. The environment is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Photos of the children are displayed throughout the home, helping to create a sense of identity. Children's bedrooms are personalised to reflect each child's preferences and are decorated with their own belongings. This gives children a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their family and people who are important to them. Staff maintain regular communication with children's family members and keep them updated about their child's progress. This helps children to maintain their identity and continue to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children attend school full time and have 100% attendance. One child was not attending education when they moved into the home and is now accessing home education. This demonstrates that staff support children's ongoing learning and development effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. Staff take appropriate action to ensure that children receive medical treatment when required. One child is receiving support from a psychologist and staff implement the recommended strategies to promote the child's emotional wellbeing.

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

There has been one missing-from-home incident since the last inspection. Staff followed the agreed procedures and the child returned home safely. Staff understand the actions they should take if a child goes missing. Each child has an individualised missing-from- home protocol within their risk assessment, which guides staff practice.

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

Children report that they feel safe and say that they have someone they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns. When one child raised a complaint about the impact Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 4 that another child's behaviour was having on them and staff, it was responded to promptly.

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

There have been a number of incidents requiring the use of physical intervention. Records demonstrate that these are proportionate and necessary to keep the child and staff safe. Physical intervention records include information in line with regulation.

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

Staff use rewards and consequences to help children understand rules and boundaries. The children are given a choice of consequence. These consequences are proportionate and effective. This helps children to develop positive behaviour.

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

Safer recruitment processes are followed, which means that staff are recruited safely. Recruitment checks ensure that only suitable staff are employed to work with children in the home.

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

Children have individualised risk assessments that are regularly updated and reviewed monthly. However, one child's risk assessment does not accurately reflect their current risks. This limits staff's understanding of the child's vulnerabilities and does not provide clear strategies for managing potential allegations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is caring, ambitious and advocates well for children. One member of staff said:

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

'The registered manager supports his team of staff and encourages their continued development but ensures the children are developing and their needs are being met at all times, with their views, wishes and feelings being heard at the forefront of all meetings and care plans for their futures.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This provides staff with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their practice. Staff attend team meetings, which help to support their development. Team meetings also provide staff with the opportunity to share good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff maintain effective relationships with relevant professionals. This supports a coordinated approach to meeting children's needs and contributes to providing consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Notifications of significant events are submitted as required. However, the registered manager and responsible individual do not take all necessary action following allegations to ensure that the children are safe and protected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the strengths and areas for development of the home. However, this could be strengthened with more rigorous monitoring or by reports from the independent person, including direct interactions with children's family Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 5 members. This is a missed opportunity for leaders and managers to identify and address areas for development. Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 6

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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

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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that allegations are responded to in line with the provider's policy. 19 May 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff have updated allegation management training and that they are able to demonstrate an understanding of how to respond to allegations. 19 May 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 7 The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all significant incidents, including allegations against staff, are notified to Ofsted. 19 May 2026

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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: 2676352 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 20 Brookhouse Road, Caton, Lancaster LA2 9QT

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Inspector

Karen Andrews, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2676352 9 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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