Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Unique reference number SC042921 Inspection date 08/06/2011 Inspector Gwen Buckley / Malcolm Stannard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Secure Unit

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Date of last inspection 20/01/2011 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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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This is a secure unit managed by a local authority, registered as a secure children's home and is approved by the Secretary of State to provide secure care and accommodation.

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Brief description of the service

The home can accommodate 12 young people of either gender whose behaviour has placed them or others at risk. Education is provided on site and external professionals offer support for young people's physical and emotional health needs. Facilities include outdoor exercise areas and a sports hall.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

At the last inspection in January 2011, the overall quality rating for the unit was judged as good. The requirement and the majority of recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Progress

A requirement was made to ensure the Statement of Purpose was updated and reference to other agencies is up to date. References to the Area Child Protection Committee have been changed to that of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and reference to fire regulations have been updated. The requirement has been met.

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Progress

Managers at the unit were asked to ensure the bath is safe for young people to use. Domestic style taps are fitted and as such are potential ligature points. A funding application has been made to the Department for Education to enable this work to be undertaken. The unit is awaiting a response to this funding application. As a result, this recommendation has not been met and is repeated.

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Progress

It was recommended that the home develop a policy and written guidance for staff to enable young people to keep and administer their own medication when safe to do so. Discussions have taken place with health care professionals on how a self medication policy can be developed and managed safely. To date no policy or guidance has been produced that would allow young people the opportunity, if assessed as safe, to look after their own medication. This recommendation has not been met and is repeated.

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Progress

A recommendation was made for the school to implement plans for the development of vocational education so as to broaden the curriculum further. A new welding shed has been completed increasing the provision for vocational study. Lawnmower repairs are undertaken in this area and a garden, previously out of use due to building work, is again used for horticultural activity. Imaginative use of mobility provides young people with work experience that meets their specific interests and individual plans for future work. As planned, funding for a large secure area to provide enhanced horticulture provision has been sought from the Department for Education. This recommendation is met.

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Progress

It was recommended that young people are able to have a shower after physical education (PE) when needed. The school timetable has been amended so that break times follow PE sessions whenever possible. Young people are offered the opportunity to have a shower following PE. This recommendation is met.

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Progress

Managers were asked to coordinate the delivery of the life skills programme by considering the planning, evaluation and evidencing of all sessions. A wide range of life skills work continues to be undertaken. This work is now being coordinated with care and education staff regularly discussing and prioritising the needs of each young person. A ‘my positive steps’ folder has been developed for use with each young person. This will show what young people can do and where they need help and who is identified to provide this help. It also holds records of achievement of individual work undertaken and will be available for young people to take with them when they leave. This recommendation has been met.

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Progress

It was previously recommended that the delivery of the activity programme be enhanced. An additional activity coordinator is now available who is responsible for the planning and delivery of sessions. A 12 week programme has been put in place which enables staff to commit to providing certain clubs and interests on a weekly basis. While this can be problematic should there be any staff absence from work due to illness, it does provide for a range of planned activities to be available each evening. There is a good record held of all sessions undertaken and an evaluation of the usefulness for and impact on young people is currently being carried out. This recommendation has been met.

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Progress

Management at the unit were asked to review the role of key workers so that they were able to carry out a full range of work with young people. A ‘team around the young person’ system has been introduced. This allows a young person to have access to four or five staff members who are specifically responsible and accountable for the work required to be carried out. This system always ensures that young people are able to access someone who has more in depth knowledge about them and their progress. It also ensures a staff member is always available to represent and support the young person in meetings. The caseworkers continue to oversee all direct work undertaken. This recommendation has been met.

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Progress

A further recommendation was made that the effectiveness of staff communication was reviewed. Previously information on sanctions which had been imposed or young people who were able to have certain items in their room was not always transferred between teams. A notice board is now accessible for all staff to view in addition to formal handover meetings. The notice board contains full details of any restriction on a young person or concessions which they may have received as a reward for positive behaviour. This system allows young people to receive consistent care from all staff members. This recommendation has been met.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 develop policy and written guidance for staff to enable children who are able and wish to keep and take their own medication, can do so safely (NMS 6.14)  ensure action is taken to counter the risk of self harm and suicide. This specifically relates to the risk posed by the bath taps so that children are safeguarded. (NMS 23.4)

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