Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kisimul Group Limited in Lincolnshire

SC034241 Unique reference number 14 December 2009 Inspection date Fiona Parker Inspector Random Type of 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: SC034241

p.3

Brief description of the service

The school was founded in 1977 and is registered as a children's home. The school is situated in a rural village and is one of two schools owned by the company offering placements 52 weeks a year to children with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour. The senior school is situated near a small market town a few miles away.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The school caters mainly for young people up to the age of 16, providing residential accommodation mainly in a two storey Georgian house, which is set within four acres of grounds. The main building provides 22 places with two satellite houses providing an additional eight and seven places respectively. Education is provided in a separate building situated on site, as are other facilities including a heated swimming pool, a large adventure playground, a soft play area and a multi-sensory room.

p.4

Summary

This visit is to ensure compliance with the Children Home Regulations covering the standards and regulations for the welfare of children and young people living in registered children's homes.

p.4

Summary

This is a random inspection focussing on the key standards in staying safe. The outcome areas of being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well being and organisation have not been assessed on this visit. This inspection took place over four and a half hours, for the majority of this time children and young people were engaged in education but were observed during a play time with staff members.

p.4

Summary

This inspection found there are good outcomes in relation to staying safe. Children and young people's welfare and safety is promoted and they are protected by robust policies and procedures. High levels of supervision ensure individual needs are met and appropriate attention and care is afforded to each young person.

p.4

Summary

There are no actions or recommendations as a result of this inspection. The judgement for staying safe is good and the overall judgement is good. 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

The previous inspection resulted in one action relating to ensuring any verbal notifications of significant events reported to Ofsted are subsequently followed up in writing. This action is met and a recent notification has been forwarded appropriately in writing. The managers have also introduced a flow chart for notifications to ensure oversights do not occur and the process is robust.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034241 Young people's care and privacy is carefully considered in line with their particular needs and vulnerabilities. Robust policies and procedures outline the agreed practices for personal and intimate care, ensuring safe practice is clearly understood and followed. Young people benefit from several areas in the home where they can have some private space either as part of supporting them with challenging behaviours or for some quiet time.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Detailed individual plans outline robust assessments of each young person's needs and clear strategies support staff to respond positively. Potential bullying is, however, unintentional, recognised and supported by robust assessments and the actions of staff when needed. From observations it is clear staff are pro active and vigilant, predicting when to intervene and making judgments on what level to do this, whether with physical or verbal direction. Young people are not frequently absent from the home, due to the particular needs of the young people. There are occasions when young people want to remove themselves from staff supervision. The risks and situations where this may occur are clearly understood and managed through the high levels of supervision. There is a robust procedure should a young person go missing and an appropriate response to involve the police at an early stage. There are no incidences of

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

young people missing from adult supervision.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Managing behaviour and supporting young people positively is a clear focus of the home. Plans detail the agreed strategies and permissible sanctions for each young person. Plans also include the circumstances and method of restraint considered appropriate for each young person and subject to agreement of parents and the local authority. Records in relation to sanctions and restraints are detailed and can be cross referenced with the agreements in individual plans, supporting appropriate action taken and standards being met.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding matters are treated seriously and prompt action is taken to ensure the welfare and protection of young people. Records show appropriate and timely referrals are made and clear audit trails evidence procedures are followed and the outcomes are clear. Procedures are up-to-date and contain the latest arrangements with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and are clear on the particular vulnerabilities of the children they protect. Staff are aware of the procedures, and their responsibilities within these, ensuring young people are safeguarding. Equally robust individual risk assessments are in place, outlining potential risks and strategies to minimise these. In addition physical safety is taken seriously and checks on equipment and systems for electricity and gas, and fire safety is routinely undertaken.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment procedures are robust and fully meet the standards ensuring only people who are suitably checked work with young people. Good arrangements are in place to ensure visitors to the site sign in at the reception and are guided and accompanied by staff while on site. These robust measures in addition to staff's supervision and vigilance promote safety in the home and grounds.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034241

p.5

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

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034241

p.6