Lincolnshire Secure Unit

SC042921 Unique reference number 23 July 2009 Inspection date Gwen Buckley Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

26 November 2008 Date of last inspection .

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

p.2

About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is a secure unit managed by a County Council Children's Services Authority. It is located on the outskirts of small town. The secure unit is registered as a children's home, but is also approved by the Secretary of State to provide secure accommodation for up to nine children and young people, aged between 13 and 17 years.

p.4

Brief description of the service

At the time of inspection there were nine young people placed in the home.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is presently undergoing a major rebuild. Department of Children Schools and Families funding has enabled the gym and school facilities to be upgraded. Other building work is ongoing to upgrade doors and windows, outside play and vocational areas, office accommodation and the admission room.

p.4

Summary

This was an unannounced inspection to evaluate the progress made against the previous inspection recommendations. The key standards in the 'staying safe' outcome group were viewed. The staff recruitment and selection processes were not inspected. Nothing in this inspection would indicate that the service delivery or provision had deteriorated since the last inspection.

p.4

Summary

The practice in the home is child-focused and outcomes for the young people are good. Young people say they feel safe, enjoy good, supportive relationships with staff and are given individual help and support as required. Staff manage the needs of the young people and take steps to keep them safe while the work to improve the home is ongoing. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made at the time of the last inspection. The bath taps pose a potential hazard as ligature points and need to be replaced. Since the last inspection, due to the on going building work, young people have not had access to the bathroom. It is reported this work will be completed as part of the work presently underway. This recommendation is therefore repeated.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The second recommendation was to review the method of recording restraints, incidents and sanctions, to ensure the clarity of information held. A review has been undertaken and a new system for recording introduced. This new system is being piloted. Amendments have been made to templates used and effective monitoring highlights staff training needs. There are still a few areas of the recording that can be improved particularly the single separation recording systems, where all the information is available, but not easily accessible. Although progress has clearly been made, to ensure the new system has all the required information and new guidance developed for staff in the use of the new electronic single separation monitoring system, this recommendation is being carried forward.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff in the home respect young people’s right to privacy. This can be difficult to achieve in a secure setting, with the need to ensure the safety of all the young people, but they manage this well. Staff take account of individual needs and consider gender issues when planning for care.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a good complaints system in place that young people are confident in using. Appropriate responses that protect the young people are made to any allegation or suspicion of abuse. The home’s staff are aware of child protection procedures and referrals are made and investigated as required.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

System are in place to effectively manage young people at risk of suicide and self harm. Young people at risk are taken seriously. Very good systems are in place to identify and monitor any incidents of bullying in the home. Action is taken by staff to effectively work with all the young people involved in any incident of bullying, whether they are deemed the victim or instigator. External assistance is available to the young people involved in bullying in the home, for example, the advocate or staff from the local adolescent mental health team support individuals as required.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young person feel safe in the home and one stated ‘that staff help you with your issues here and keep you safe. In here they help you to see the dangers you put yourself in and what to do about them on the out’. They also stated that they had been to school for the first time, in a long time, were enjoying it and wanted to continue when they leave.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of procedures to follow should a young person go missing and state should they go, young people will be responded to positively on return.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a reward and privileges (RAP) system that encourages good behaviour. Young people are encouraged to progress through this system and given support to move forward. Young people feel the RAP system in the home is fair and state ‘it took time to get your head round the points system, but got there’ and ‘although it is a challenge to get to the higher level it is achievable and worth it’. When possible staff enable young people to make positive choices rather than impose sanctions. However, sanctions when used are appropriate to the behaviour displayed.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Newly developed systems for recording restraint, sanctions and incidents are in place. The new systems are being piloted and a few minor amendments are needed along with further staff guidance to ensure all the required information is clearly recorded. The home is having new electronic activation systems fitted outside bedrooms to enable more accurate recording of single separations. The quality assurance systems in place to monitor sanctions, restraints, and incident recordings are good. CCTV is used effectively to monitor practice and ensure young people’s safety.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Extensive building work is ongoing to provide new accommodation for young people and staff. This incorporates new external play areas, administration and office space, along with new bedrooms for staff and young people. Doors and windows are also being replaced internally. Staff are managing a very difficult situation well, keeping young people safe during the building 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921 work and minimising disruption to them as much as possible. However, young people do not have access to a bath at present due to the ongoing building work and the potential ligature points.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Steps are taken to remove hazards that would compromise welfare. Staff are aware of evacuation procedures, fire wardens and first aid trained staff are identified for each shift. Regular fire drills take place and excellent systems are in place for undertaking safety checks, the testing of equipment and maintaining appropriate records. Young people are provided with a safe environment in which to live.

p.6

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review the method of recording restraints, incidents, sanctions and separations to ensure the clarity of information held and ensure related staff guidance is updated (NMS 22) • consider replacement of the taps in the bathroom to enable it to be accessed by all young people. (NMS 26) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921

p.6