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

Unique reference number SC034241 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector Mark Ryder Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 17/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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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 three schools owned by the company offering placements 52 weeks a year to children and young people with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour. The senior school is situated near a small market town a few miles away.

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Brief description of the service

The school caters mainly for children and 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 nine 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.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of this inspection there were 29 children and young people in residence. A number of children and young people directly contributed to this report.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced follow up inspection from the visit in September 2010. The inspection focused upon how the service protects and safeguards the welfare of children and young people as well as improvements identified from the previous inspection. No other outcome areas were assessed.

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Summary

The residential provision of this school continues to meet the needs of children and young people. Staff are committed to supporting children and young people with complex learning and behavioural needs. They do this well. Children and young people enjoy staying in an environment that is both stimulating and safe.

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Summary

Areas for improvement were, however, identified. Two good practice recommendations have been made to further strengthen and improve this service. These concern putting in place a dedicated sanction log and ensuring fire safety issues, raised during this inspection, are addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were four recommendations made at the last inspection. All have been met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure that all children and young people have written parental or guardian consent for staff to administer minor first aid and non- prescribed medication. Files now include such consent ensuring staff can legally provide first aid if required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Safeguarding procedures have been updated and provide a clearer and more robust process for staff to follow in the event of a child protection incident. Children and young people are therefore protected in line with the service's safeguarding policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was also asked to ensure education plans are incorporated into each child or young person's individual residential file. This has been met with staff being able to access targets and objectives for each child or young person outside of school hours. Children and young people are therefore able to follow a 24-hour curriculum that focuses upon their needs to develop into adulthood.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, an area of improvement was identified at the last inspection for care plans to be much more reflective of individuality of need. Plans now record details of children and young people's religious, cultural and racial needs. This is a good start to a process where equality and diversity is fully integrated into the assessment, records and practice of this setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people receive good quality care from a competent, motivated and well trained staff team. Staff provide personal care mindful of privacy and dignity. This includes ensuring bathroom doors are closed when in use. There is a relaxing and friendly atmosphere which children and young people value and enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information about complaints are accessible to children, young people and parents in a number of formats. Whilst it is a challenge to enable many of the children and young people to express their needs, staff are able to identify any patterns in behaviour that could suggest worry or anxiety. Staff are aware of the complaints procedure and ensure that concerns are followed through. Complaints are addressed without delay.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are safe living at this setting. Training, support and guidance provide staff with the skills necessary in identifying where children and young people are most at risk. For example, there is a high level of supervision of children and young people to reduce self injurious behaviour. Due to the vulnerability of the children and young people, the staffing levels are high to reflect this. For example, the risk of residents missing from the school is low. The school has, however, strategies in place if such an incident took place. This means that children and young people are secure and kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people enjoy being with staff and clearly benefit from their care and support. Staff manage children and young people's behaviour through careful evaluation. The use of physical intervention is low. Staff all receive regular training on effective de-escalation and the safe use of restraint. Records of such incidents provide details of what actions were taken. The use of sanctions within this setting is also low, although reporting procedures do not meet national minimum standards. For instance, a lack of a bound and numbered sanctions book makes it unclear how effective this is. This is an area for improvement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not a major concern due to the high staff presence and careful matching of children and young people who share rooms and live together. Staff manage to diffuse conflicts and provide children and young people with support and understanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a robust maintenance programme of electrical installations and oil tanks. Fire safety records include frequent checks on all areas to reduce the risk to children, young people, staff and visitors. Drills are regular to include all staff, children and young people so that they familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures. One fire door, however, does not close fully and a passageway, that is part of an escape route, is partially obstructed by a piece of furniture. This could be a potential risk in the event of an emergency and is an area for improvement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment of staff continues to be a strength of this school. There is a checking in and out procedure for all visitors to the residential area. Therefore, children and young people are kept safe from a robust recruitment process and suitable checks on visitors to the house.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that a separate, dedicated, bound and numbered book is kept of any sanctions made (NMS 22.11)  ensure that positive steps are taken to keep children, staff and visitors safe from risk from fire and other hazards. (NMS 26.1)

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