Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC042950 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Elaine Cray Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 07/07/2010 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 home is a six-bedded children's home run by the local authority. It caters for young people aged between 10 and 17 years of age who present emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Ground floor accommodation comprises of a kitchen, pantry, dining room, hall, lounge, computer room, toilet and shower and two offices. On the first floor are six bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are gardens to front and rear with car parking to the front and side of the building. The home is situated close to the town centre and enjoys good access to local facilities and public transport.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. The focus of this inspection is the judging of the key standards relating to the outcome group staying safe. This inspection also reviews the progress the provider has made with actions and recommendations resulting from the previous inspection.

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Summary

The evidence gathered on this interim inspection shows outstanding outcomes for the safeguarding of young people with significant development and improvements in their behaviour. The overall judgement of good from the findings of the full inspection in July 2010 remains. Two recommendations are set as a result of this visit.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home's complaints processes are improved with comprehensive and up-to-date information. This includes the home's Statement of Purpose, posters, leaflets and the young people's guide. Information is easy to access, understand and includes contact details for Ofsted. The home was also asked to improve the recording of care plans and some information in the sanctions book. Care plans are now comprehensive and excellently documented. The sanctions book is improved but does not have a section to record the comments of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by excellently planned and effectively implemented safeguarding arrangements. There are robust staff recruitment procedures and young people are kept safe by staff who are well trained in safeguarding children procedures, behaviour management and health and safety. Staff are fully aware of the procedures regarding young people going missing and who to notify about serious incidents in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are significant improvements in young people’s safety due to the staff team’s proactive and meaningful approach to working with agencies and the inclusion of young people and families in these processes. Young people thrive in a structured yet enabling environment and are encouraged to make more positive lifestyle choices for themselves. They are empowered and have increased self confidence to promote their own safety, understand risk taking behaviour and look at positive alternatives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people say they feel safe at the home and identify positively with their improved behaviour. Their behaviour is managed and significantly improved with clear written behaviour management policies, procedures and placement care planning. Young people’s behaviour and welfare is further protected and supported by staff who promote and implement effective risk and behaviour management strategies in their day-to-day practice. There are clear, structured boundaries with an emphasis on promoting incentives and rewarding positive and improved behaviour. Young people have positive relationships with staff who are exceptionally proud of the young people’s achievements which include not going missing from care so frequently, improved relationships with family and making positive social associations and relationships. Records are maintained and show good accountability for when sanctions and physical intervention are used in the home. However records do not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

include comments and signatures of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy of young people is respected and they enjoy their own private space. Young people’s views are valued and they are provided with open and accessible ways to enable them to express their concerns, wishes and feelings. Young people understand and are protected by the clear written complaints procedure and additional information included in the young people’s guide. There is an anti-bullying policy. Young people say there are no concerns about bullying and they feel confident that staff will always do something because bullying is not acceptable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The physical environment is well maintained and monitored in terms of health and safety, with comprehensive and generally detailed documentation. Fire safety procedures are checked, monitored and young people know what to do if there is a fire. However the records are unclear as to whether any of the drills have been carried out at night.

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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 fire drills cover night-time fire evacuation procedures (NMS 26.7)  encourage young people to write or have their views recorded and sign their names in the records kept by the home when disciplinary measures or restraint are used. (NMS 22.14)

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