Lincolnshire Secure Unit

SC042921 Unique reference number 17 June 2010 Inspection date Gwen Buckley Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 November 2009 Date of last inspection .

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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Brief description of the service

This is a secure unit managed by a local authority children's services. It is located on the outskirts of a 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 twelve children and young people, aged between 13 and 17 years.

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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, office accommodation and outside play area to be upgraded. Further building work is almost completed to upgrade doors and windows, vocational areas, and all young peoples bedrooms.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of inspection there were ten young people placed in the home. The views of the young people were sought and taken into account during this inspection; four assisted by talking with the inspector individually and others in small groups.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection which covers progress towards the implementation of the recommendations from the last inspection. The Every Child Matters outcome group Staying Safe was inspected with the exception of staff recruitment records that are not held in the home.

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Summary

The atmosphere in the unit is generally positive with a few individual young people presenting very challenging behaviour. Young people report positive relationships with staff; they feel they are treated fairly and feel safe and that action is taken by staff to prevent bullying.

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Summary

Action has been taken to address all of the previous recommendations. No recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Four recommendations were made at the time of the last inspection. They have been fully addressed and good progress made in relation to each of them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended the manager review the system in place for repeat ordering of medication. There is now a member of staff with lead responsibility for ordering medication to ensure repeat prescriptions are processed in a timely manner. Stock totals are regularly checked, ensuring each young person gets the medication required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A previous recommendation was made to ensure young people have an opportunity to evaluate the one-to-one and group-work sessions which address their specific care and sentence plan targets. This has been addressed by the introduction of weekly feedback sheets that young people are asked to complete. This enables them to have a say in how they found living at the home over the previous week as well as their key-work or group-work sessions. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921 The manager was asked to review the role of key workers in case management delivery, including their attendance at case review meetings. A new post has been introduced to prepare packages for key workers to use in group and key-work sessions. These packages are tailored to meet the identified targets young people have in the care plans. The post holder is also there to support the staff delivering the work. This is a temporary post and it is to be reviewed after six

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Improvements since the last inspection

months. Key workers are encouraged to attend reviews; however, this will depend on shift patterns. Should a key worker not be able to attend a review the case manager will attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A previous recommendation was made to review the performance management systems to ensure service development is informed by systematic analysis of information. The manager has developed the ‘delivering Every Child Matters in secure settings’ audit tool. This looks at all aspects of care and practice and provides the manager with a picture of how the home is operating and what developments are needed to improve the service for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young peoples’ privacy is respected and all information handled in a confidential manner. Young people and staff show respect for each other when young people use the phone beside the office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A good internal complaints procedure is in place which is understood by young people and independent advocacy services are available. However, young people stated that there is no need to use the formal complaint system as any issues are addressed informally to their satisfaction.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A robust child protection system is in place which protects young people from abuse. Staff ensure appropriate responses to any allegations made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good anti-bullying systems are in place protect young people. Both care and teaching staff take responsibility for ensuring everyone is aware of bullying and the effects this has on individuals. Young people are confident that staff will see any incidents of bullying and will take action to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good systems, which staff follow, ensure young people are protected and all incidents notified as required to external agencies such as the local safeguarding board, the local authority’s designated officer and Ofsted. Although no young person has gone missing from the home there are procedures in place to guide staff should this occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An excellent level of management scrutiny of all incidents is in place which covers restraints, sanctions and single separations. Senior staff routinely monitor the use of single separation, restraint and disciplinary measures in the unit and review practice to protect young people. This monitoring looks at close circuit television footage of incidents and related written records as well as care planning issues for young people and identifies any practice development needed. Help is sought on mental health issues to help those young people who need to be restrained. Guidance is also available from external professionals to help guide staff caring for young people. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921 Staff strive to use interpersonal skills and positive relationships to de-escalate situations and effect change when a young person presents challenging behaviour. Young people report, ‘sanctions are fair’ and, ‘their achievements are recognised by staff’. Young people are rewarded

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

for achievements both by praise from staff and by receiving points on the level system that is in place. Those young people on the highest level, ‘superstar’, are very positive about the privileges they have, the trust shown to them by staff and they enjoy the use of the enhanced lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good health and safety procedures in place ensure young people are protected from harm. Fire procedures are well established; evacuation drills are carried out monthly and night staff made aware of procedures. Young people feel confident that they know what to do in the case of a fire. All tests of the fire alarm systems and drills are recorded. Staff receive training in the fire procedures as part of their induction and ongoing training. Young people live in a well maintained building with regular checks undertaken on services such as electrical wiring, emergency lights, fire extinguishers, electrical equipment and of gas installations.

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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.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042921

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