Atkinson Unit

Unique reference number SC046276 Inspection date 04/02/2014 Inspector Paul Taylor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Secure Unit

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Date of last inspection 10/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This secure unit is managed by a local authority. The unit is registered as a secure children’s home and is approved by the Secretary of State to provide secure care and accommodation. The unit currently provides placements for up to 10 young people.

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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 October 2013, the overall effectiveness of the secure unit was judged as good. Two requirements and one recommendation were made. These have all been addressed. One further recommendation has been made during this inspection.

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Progress

An improved and robust recruitment process has implemented which now ensures that all adults working in the home have thorough background checks carried out. This process now includes support staff from agencies who may work on site on occasions, even if there role does not include direct contact with the young people. An example of this type of role is staff who may work in the kitchen as support for the established permanent chef. The recruitment process ensures that only adults with appropriate employment checks and histories work in the home.

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Progress

The home has ensured that the quality assurance checks of key records, such as incidents where physical intervention has been required, are effectively implemented. This ensures that the records are checked and audited to ensure clarity and to reflect upon strategies and practice. The home has reviewed the process whereby personal searches may have to carried out on young people especially when they are being admitted to the home. This process now protects the dignity and privacy of the young people and is sensitively planned and carried out.

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Progress

Caring and trusting relationships between staff and the young people means that behaviour management is of a very good standard. Each young person has a bespoke individualised support plan, which involves input from the young person. These plans outline what strategies and approaches should be used to encourage positive behaviour and to manage areas of anxiety and challenge. Additionally, the use of restorative justice enables young people to reflect upon their behaviours and gives them the opportunity to put right any incidents. For example, cleaning or repairing items if they have been damaged. On occasion the young people have not been willing to engage in restorative justice sessions and sanctions have been implemented. Some of these sanctions are not always directly related to the behaviour which has caused them to be imposed. Examples include young people receiving early bed times for poor behaviour in education much earlier in the day.

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Progress

This means that the sanctions are not always seen as fair or relevant by the young people.

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Progress

Feedback from the young people about how they feel treated and respected overall, is very positive. Young people benefit from trusting positive relationships with the adults who care for them. 'I like them, you can talk to them' is a comment made by one young person.

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Progress

The home continues to have close liaison with external agencies and pursues any safeguarding issues rigorously to ensure that young people's safety is treated with paramount importance. Records are regularly audited and are of good quality. They clearly outline what steps have been taken to ensure that any concerns are explored and what actions have been taken by relevant agencies, such as the police and safeguarding representatives.

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Progress

The home has also recruited to another post for the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service (CAMHS) based on site. This ensures that there is additional support and advice available for the staff and the young people. Regular training for members of staff helps to ensure that they have insight and understanding around issues such as self-harm.

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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 sanctions and rewards for behaviour are clear, reasonable and fair and are understood by all staff and children.

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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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