Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC042967 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Caroline Oldham Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/09/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 home is managed by a local authority and provides longer-term care for up to six young people between the ages of 10 and 18 years. Admission to the home is on a planned basis. The home aims to provide young people with care and support for their emotional and behavioural needs. This home is purpose built. The office is situated in a separate building behind the home.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in September 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding, with no requirements or recommendations set. Since then the home has continued to develop and improve the service they provide. All the staff team are focussed on providing a high quality service that meets the needs of the young people, and prepares them for independence.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive highly individualised, well planned care. There is great emphasis on developing young people's skills and interests, and consequently they grow in confidence. Young people engage in interesting and challenging projects, such as; applying to be a member of the Youth Parliament and going to London to meet members of Parliament, and working towards Duke of Edinburgh awards. In addition to the highly individualised programme of work, there are many innovative group activities that young people are encouraged to engage in. For example, there is currently a challenge to swim the equivalent width of the English Channel at the local swimming pool. Previously young people had taken on a cycling challenge on an exercise bike. There is a vegetable patch, and opportunities for making music and art with visiting professionals. This broad range of activities includes encouraging young people to lead healthy lifestyles and to develop their

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Progress

Young people say that they get on very well with the staff, and that they feel safe. Staff confirm that they put appropriate strategies in place to keep young people safe, according to the specific issues facing the young person. These strategies are imaginative and well thought out, and staff work hard to help young people understand some of the dangers they put themselves in, through risk-taking behaviour. As a result young people modify their behaviour and keep safe. Young people say that this is the home that they never had, and they are encouraged to display photographs and art work, and to invite their friends and family, in agreement with staff, to the home.

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Progress

Staff are very well supported in the home and their individual skills, expertise and interests are utilised wherever possible. Staff develop confidence and skills through the mandatory training programme, and also have opportunities for additional relevant training, which is focusing on meeting the needs of the young people. The manager believes that staff should manage young people's behaviour through the relationships they establish with the young people, and only use reward systems in specific recognised care plans. Consequently staff and young people have established trusting, respectful relationships and behaviour is manager through realistic expectations and discussion. The staff team work well together; communication systems are well thought-out and continually improved, for example, further developments in the handover system to ensure information is well documented.

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Progress

Staff are extremely supportive of the young people, working with them to find the best educational placements, and working closely with the educational placement. This results in rewards for positive behaviour at school, and provides additional individual tuition to build up knowledge. As a result attendance is very high and young people achieve well.

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Progress

Young people are well prepared for leaving care and the home offers ongoing support when young people move in to the community. Further work is being undertaken to find out how this area could be further improved via surveys, and ex- residents returning to talk to the young people about their experiences. There are very good systems in place to monitor the progress of the home, and strategies to review the business plan, but one further requirement has been set regarding supplying Ofsted with a copy of any review of the quality of care.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person supplies HMCI with reports in respect of any review conducted under Regulation 34 to monitor matters set out in Schedule 6. It is good practice for these reports to be completed at 6 monthly intervals and a copy of every report sent to HMCI within 28 days of completion (Regulation 34 (2) and CA1989 Volume 5: 3.14) 30/04/2012

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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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