Cambridgeshire secure care home goes from 'inadequate' to 'good' in 18 months

Clare Lodge in Peterborough has been rated ‘good’ (stock image)

A secure care home in Cambridgeshire has been awarded a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted nearly 18 months after it was rated inadequate. Clare Lodge, a secure unit providing care for up to 16 girls aged between 10 to 17, was visited for an assurance inspection on January 23, 2024.

A previous full inspection in September 2022 found the care home to be ‘inadequate’, with a full inspection in November 2022 determining that it required improvement. Since then, the care home was rated ‘good’ in a full inspection in July 2023.

An assurance inspection report which rated the care home as ‘good’ was published on Saturday (February 17). It said children at the care home experience a “pleasant and nurturing environment” where staff “understand and prioritise their needs”.

According to the report, one child said: “I love being here. I feel safe, get on with staff and enjoy education.” Another was quoted as saying: “My key workers are awesome.”

Councillor Ray Bisby, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I am really pleased to see that Clare Lodge continues to provide good standards of care to the vulnerable young girls who are staying there. The girls who come to Clare Lodge have often faced many difficulties in their young lives, and staff are putting their needs first to ensure they feel safe and cared for and their voices are heard.”

The report said leaders and managers had taken action to address two requirements and two recommendations from the previous inspection. “Leaders and managers are working through a well-thought-out improvement plan,” it said.

Inspectors identified two areas in which the home can improve, including organising the complaints record and ensuring learning is planned to help children make progress. Assurance inspections are intended to evaluate the care and safety of children, as well as effectiveness of leaders and managers.