Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Unique reference number SC042921 Inspection date 08/01/2013 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Secure Unit

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Date of last inspection 10/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This secure children's home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict young people's liberty. Education is provided on site.

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Brief description of the service

The children's home can accommodate up to 12 young people, who are aged between 10 and 17 years. Admission of any young person over the age of 10 but under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2012, the overall effectiveness rating was judged good.

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Progress

One requirement and four recommendations were made at the last inspection. All matters have been fully addressed and there are no new areas for improvement. At the last inspection, the registered person was required to ensure that the system for monitoring a range of matters at the unit provides for consultation with children, their parents and placing authorities. This matter has been fully addressed. The Registered Manager ensures that consultation now forms an integral part of the monitoring of the unit. Views of young people, parents and placing authorities are used well to improve the quality of care provided.

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Progress

A recommendation was made at the last inspection that the registered person further develops the missing from home procedure to include relevant and required information. The procedure has been reviewed and developed to further support and guide staff in keeping young people safe. A further recommendation asked the registered person to ensure the home has agreed a policy regarding regular security searches of communal areas with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This policy has been developed and agreed with the Local Safeguarding Children Board to ensure practices at the unit help to keep young people safe.

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Progress

The registered person was asked to ensure that summary reports of the Registered Manager's monitoring are sent to Ofsted every six months and within 28 days of completion; also that reports should contain recording about the quality of the matters monitored in order to identify trends and patterns. These issues have been fully addressed. Reports have been sent to Ofsted as required and do contain details of any trends, themes and patterns and areas for improvement. This ensures that Ofsted can monitor the quality of the service provided to young people and shows how the unit is improving through effective oversight and management.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, progress has been made in other areas that enhances the quality of care provided to young people and promotes positive outcomes. There has been good progress and achievement by young people in education through the support of teaching and care staff. Their level of attendance at education is high at 99% and there are good examples of the progress young people make. For instance, young people generally progress two full levels in maths, science and English in relatively short periods of time; on average they improve their reading age by two years and nine months while at the unit. Young people have submitted art work and poetry for an exhibition held in London and some poems have also been published. The work was commended by the organiser and deemed of a high quality and calibre. Young people are proud of this.

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Progress

Building work has been completed which enhances the quality of provision and the quality of care. For example, an additional visitors’ room is now available where young people and their families, or others important to them, can meet in a relaxed and comfortable environment. There is also a new admissions room which gives privacy and an appropriate environment for young people coming into the unit.

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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.

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