Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC042967 Inspection date 28/03/2014 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 21/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This home is managed by a local authority and provides longer-term care for up to six young people. The home aims to provide young people with care and support for their emotional and behavioural needs.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

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

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection in August 2013 the home was judged as being good in relation to its overall effectiveness. Three recommendations were made at that inspection. The Registered Manager and staff team have ensured that all three recommendations have been fully met. The home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for young people since the last inspection.

p.3

Progress

The Registered Manager has put in place a system for all notifications to be sent electronically to Ofsted. This ensures that they are received within 24 hours of any relevant incident and enables Ofsted to monitor and track the home more effectively.

p.3

Progress

Placement plans for each young person contain detailed information about their histories and the support they require. Staff support young people to consider and make comments on their placement plans on a regular basis. The staff team set realistic goals for young people, clearly setting out what the aims and objectives are and how they will be met. The Registered Manager has redesigned the recording systems in order to better set out the individual plans and how they will be met for each young person. Young people know and understand what the plans are for them and work positively with staff to ensure that their plans are met and reviewed on a regular basis. Staff consider and update the plans regularly to ensure that the needs of each young person continue to be met.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection an assistant manager has come into post. This has enabled the Registered Manager to set up a clear structure for the supervision and support of all staff members within the home. Staff now receive regular formal supervision which is recorded in detail and signed by both the supervisor and supervisee. This enables the Registered Manager to maintain a good oversight of how staff are working with the young people and to track their progress. Monthly supervision sessions are planned in advance and the Registered Manager has clear structures in place to monitor and oversee this area of practice.

p.4

Progress

Young people engage well with education whilst living in the home. The staff team demonstrate a real commitment to ensuring that all young people have appropriate educational provision in place to meet their needs. Staff work closely with other agencies and education providers to ensure that young people have the best chance of success. All young people have educational provisions in place and attend well. Some young people have moved on to college or apprenticeships and remain motivated to attend and succeed. Young people clearly see the value of education and training and express a desire to achieve and secure employment or training after their formal education ends.

p.4

Progress

Young people have access to a wide range of social activities whilst living in this home. They discuss with staff what they would like to do and enjoy taking part in things such as swimming, local gyms, football and basketball. Some young people also enjoy working with staff on areas like decorating and garden maintenance. This promotes a sense of pride in the home and encourages young people to take responsibility for its upkeep.

p.4

Progress

The home has a detailed development plan in place which is regularly reviewed and overseen by the Registered Manager. The home also has a comprehensive Statement of Purpose and children's guide. The Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect staff changes. although the most recent version has not been sent to Ofsted.

p.4

Progress

Staff meet with young people every month to discuss a wide range of things. However the written records of those meetings do not currently reflect how any requests made, or concerns raised, by young people have been dealt with. The Registered Manager does not formally respond to young people following these meetings to advise them of how their views have been taken into account.

p.4

Progress

A particular strength of the home is how well it supports young people to meet their complex health needs. The staff work closely and proactively with the relevant health professionals to ensure that the holistic needs of young people are identified and met. Supported by the staff team, young people access specialist services to meet their needs. This ensures that their physical, emotional and psychological needs are met during their time at the home. The staff team also work closely with other agencies such as the police and youth offending services. They support young people to consider any concerning behaviours they may display and to work with them to reduce any anti-social behaviour. Young people are kept safe from harm by the staff team. This is supported and promoted through detailed risk assessments and missing from care protocols and procedures.

p.4

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Statement of Purpose is kept under review and, where appropriate, revised and that Ofsted is notified of any such revision within 28 days. (Regulation 5(a)(b)) 30/04/2014

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that young people understand how their views have been taken into account, and where significant wishes or concerns are not acted upon, they are helped to understand why. This is with specific reference to providing formal feedback following residents’ meetings. (NMS 1.2)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6