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

Unique reference number SC034241 Inspection date 25/03/2013 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 28/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The school is one of three owned by the company and is registered as a children's home. The school provides placements of various lengths for children and young people with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour. The senior school is situated a few miles away.

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Brief description of the service

The school provides residential accommodation for 49 young people. Education is provided in a separate building situated on site.

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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 full inspection in November 2012, the overall effectiveness judgement for the home was outstanding, with no requirements or recommendations made. Progress since the last inspection is good. The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued commitment to improve the quality of care and outcomes for children.

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Progress

The leaders and managers have continued to drive an ambitious service of quality. The Registered Manager ensures that there is regular monitoring of the quality of care provided and has provided Ofsted with copies of management monitoring reports produced throughout the year. Managers ensure that such monitoring includes tracking of all patterns and trends within the home and that action is taken to address any areas of concern promptly. Recording of all aspects of young people's care is detailed and reflects their individual and holistic needs. Care plans and risk assessments are up-to-date and reviewed and amended as needed on a regular basis. This ensures that young people's needs receive full consideration at all times.

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Progress

Young people are happy and relaxed with members of the staff team. They live in a very well maintained and homely environment. Young people have been able to personalise their rooms and have access to the children's guide in a form which they can easily understand. Young people contribute to menu planning and are encouraged to express their likes and dislikes about meals. The food provided is of a very high standard and enables children to experience a wide range of different meals. Young people receive highly personalised care which enables them to develop skills and confidence over time. One parent stated that their child has made significant developments in this home. They said that 'the changes are amazing and I cannot praise the staff team enough for what they have done for my child.’

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Progress

Placing authorities also report high levels of satisfaction at the quality of care and improved outcomes for young people placed here. One social worker stated 'I cannot fault the staff team. They communicate very well with me and there have been noticeable improvements in the behaviour and quality of life experienced by the children I have placed here.’ One parent stated that the staff focus consistently on the positive attributes and qualities of their child. They report high levels of satisfaction at the commitment of the staff team to ensure that their child develops independence skills in preparation for their move to adult services.

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Progress

Young people take part in a wide range of social activities. These include swimming, bowling, horse riding and trips out to places of interest. Young people recently attended a theatre event and there are plans for them to go out for a meal and visit the cinema. Parents report having total peace of mind that their children will be very well cared for and enjoy a wide range of social activities in this home. They praise the staff team for enabling their children to take appropriate risks and in widening their horizons over time.

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Progress

Young people maintain contact with their families and significant others, supported by the staff team. Staff ensure that young people keep in touch with significant others, using imaginative practices. These include the use of e-mail and visual forms of electronic communication. This enables young people to maintain meaningful contact with family and others during their time here and develop skills in using technology. Placing authorities report satisfaction at how well the staff team support young people to have direct and indirect contact with significant others.

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Progress

Young people feel safe in this home and able to express any concerns they may have. Parents report confidence in the staff team ensuring that their children are protected from harm. Allegations and suspicions of harm are dealt with promptly by the Registered Manager. A close working relationship with local safeguarding teams is in place and ensures that prompt action is taken surrounding any concerns. Recording of allegations against staff does not always clearly reflect the Registered Manager’s actions in sufficient detail.

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Progress

Positive behaviour is encouraged and use of restraint is seen as a last resort by staff with young people. Staff use distraction, re-direction or time-out techniques wherever possible with young people. Parents and placing authorities comment on noticeable improvements in young people's behaviour since moving to live in this home. Recording of the use of time-out is not always clear in relation to the use of soft-play areas in the home.

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Progress

Staff receive regular, high quality training and supervision. This enhances their skills and competence in working with young people in the home. Staff present as highly competent and confident in their roles. Young people benefit from being cared for by caring, committed and highly dedicated staff. Parents report high levels of satisfaction and confidence in how the staff team support their children at all times. From their starting points, young people develop skills, increased self-esteem and achieve well in relation to their education.

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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

 ensure that the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Ensure that immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. This is with specific reference to recording of the use of time-out and soft play areas (NMS 21.2)  ensure that a clear and comprehensive summary of any allegations made against a particular member of staff is kept, including details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, including a record of any action taken and the decisions reached. (NMS 20.7)

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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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