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

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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 privately run and provides care for up to 6 children. According to the statement of purpose, the home provides care for children with autism and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The service offers 5 long-term placements and one short-term placement. The manager registered with Ofsted in 2013.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, 5 children were living in the home. The inspector met all of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2025 Full Good 15/11/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC064182 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive exceptionally high-quality care based on their individual needs. They experience a homely and warm environment, supported by a diverse staff team that is highly motivated to ensure the children achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Relationships in the home are warm and trusting. Staff understand each child’s sensory needs and emotional triggers. They use creative strategies to reduce anxiety and offer children space to share openly about any concerns and worries. This level of emotional understanding helps the children to build trust, confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are non-verbal, and staff use various methods of communication to engage with them. This includes using a responsive approach, social stories, pictures and signs. For example, staff present children with different toys for activities, and children choose by pointing. This helps staff to understand children’s wishes and feelings and to meet their needs, and it gives the children some autonomy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The health and wellbeing of children are prioritised. Children are registered with local healthcare services and are supported to attend appointments and receive treatment when necessary. One child has significant medical needs, and so staff ensure they attend routine and specialist health appointments. They work closely with health professionals to make sure the child receives the right healthcare at the right time. If necessary, staff proactively seek alternative or additional support services to meet the child’s specific needs, ensuring their health, wellbeing and ongoing development are promoted effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Educational attendance and success are key features of the progress children make in this home. Children are supported to maintain their previous educational placements. This means that children retain important relationships with known adults and peers. Children’s attendance levels are excellent. Staff promote a seamless learning environment, in which everything the children do is seen as a learning event. The registered manager has high aspirations for the children, and the staff work creatively with professionals to support the children’s engagement with education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Family time is supported well. Staff work effectively to build trusting relationships with families and encourage their participation in the development of their child’s care. Parents visit the home, cook meals and help staff to develop menus based on traditional family favourites. This means that children enjoy familiar foods that they enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a range of activities, from going to the beach to baking in the home. Photos of children enjoying these unique opportunities are displayed throughout the home and captured in memory books to demonstrate that children have fun, enjoy time with staff and have lasting positive memories about this home. Inspection report for children's home: SC064182 4 The home feels homely, and there is evidence of the children’s presence everywhere. Their bedrooms are comfortable and personalised. The home provides a safe space that the children can enjoy. It is thoughtfully organised and beneficial to the children. The children enjoy positive relationships with staff, and there is a sense of family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The plan to replace the original fire doors is almost complete, with the remaining 2 fire doors planned for replacement in the near future.

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

A strong safeguarding culture underpins practice in the home. The registered manager is committed to maintaining high standards of safeguarding practice. This is achieved by continuously enhancing staff’s knowledge through effective training, reflective supervision and practice-based learning. This results in a highly skilled team that can respond swiftly and effectively to any safeguarding concerns.

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

Assessments and plans clearly identify potential risks and are informed by evidence and information about the child. They are clearly structured, with colour coding used to highlight and reflect the child’s specific needs. Staff have a full understanding of how to identify and manage risks, and this is consistently reflected in their practice. There is no complacency when considering the risks to children. This ensures that children are supported to live safely, with their wellbeing promoted effectively.

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

Staff deliver purposeful and relevant key-work sessions that support children’s individual development. Through these sessions, children build essential life skills, including developing independence, using alternative communication methods, following routines, managing emotions and taking greater responsibility for their personal care. Key work is closely aligned with each child’s individual plan and starting points, ensuring activities are meaningful and tailored. This approach enables children to safely take age-appropriate risks, supporting their confidence and overall development.

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

Staff are provided with continuous learning opportunities to review the safety plans for children. For example, team meetings are used for reflective practice, research and development sessions and for opportunities to explore potential scenarios where a child may be at risk. This ensures that staff are alert to the potential signs of danger and the actions to take to mitigate any such risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A dedicated registered manager leads this home. She speaks with passion about the children, demonstrating a genuine commitment to meeting their needs. She is inspirational, forward-thinking and innovative. Her vision is to continue providing the children with the outstanding care that they currently receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are fully aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. They maintain rigorous oversight through daily logs, weekly catchups, risk Inspection report for children's home: SC064182 5 reviews and multi-agency meetings. This ensures practice remains consistent, reflective and effective. The sustained reduction in risk behaviours, emotional dysregulation and incidents is clear evidence of the impact of strong and effective leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The continuous development of staff is a prominent feature in this home. Research-led practice, such as a trauma-informed approach and the development of communication methods, has strengthened the already skilled staff team and the development of children’s care, progress and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team creates a culture where staff feel valued, supported and motivated. This stability and consistency directly benefit the children, who experience reliable care from staff who know them well and are committed to their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff morale is very positive, and retention is excellent. Staff are passionate about their work and the impact that they have on children’s lives. Their passion and commitment enhance the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive consistent formal and informal supervision and unwavering support from the management team. Staff undertake annual mandatory training and a range of bespoke training opportunities that reflect the needs of the children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager places enormous value on the children’s happiness and safety and on their sense of fun and exploration. As a result, parents and professionals say that their children are making significant and sustained progress. Inspection report for children's home: SC064182 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the interior of the home continues to be maintained, including completing the planned replacement of the fire doors. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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

Sadia Akhtar, 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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