Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Lincolnshire Secure Unit
Summary
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- Inspectors verified
Ann-Marie Born
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Previous overall verified
Outstanding
- Postcode verified
LN1 1YL
- URN verified
SC042921
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallGood
- Leadership and managementGood
70% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (12,716 inspections).
Tone of the report
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In line with other reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
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Strengths
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- Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements. p.16
- Outcomes for children and young people outstanding Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good Outcomes in education and related learning activities good p.2
- These include the quality of recording following supervision and training sessions for staff; ensuring discussions with young people following room searches are recorded and improve the monitoring of risk assessments for the use of the education workshop. 3 of 16 Exceptional care planning effectively meets young people's unique and diverse needs. p.2
- Young people have very positive health outcomes from excellent health care arrangements. p.6
- Excellent partnership working with the local authority designated officer (LADO) and LSCB effectively helps to ensure young people are protected. p.9
Concerns
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- Consequently young people are safeguarded and feel that they can identify a worker they would go to if they felt unsafe. p.8
- Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements. p.16
- Access to ICT remains limited and is insufficient to enable young people to make better progress in developing relevant vocational skills or to research future education and employment opportunities. p.14
- Most young people arrive with few qualifications in English or mathematics, with reading and numeracy skills well below those expected for their chronological age following a poor school experience. p.13
- Physical intervention is used when necessary to safeguard young people from harming themselves or others, or to prevent serious damage to property. 10 of 16 Comprehensive risk assessments detail the forms of restraint and duration that can be used safely with individual young people. p.9
Next steps
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- ensure that risk assessments of the whole children’s home environment are carried out to identify any potential sources of harm to the children are record in writing and regularly reviewed, in particular securing the items in the education workshop (NMS 10.8) p.4
- ensure that the manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies to identify patterns and trends an immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring; in 5 of 16 particular training records (NMS 21.2) p.4
- ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping, trained to maintain them and to understand the need to be careful, objective and clear when making records, in particular recording action points arising from room searches (Volume5, Statutory Guidance, paragraph 3.28) p.4
- supports their development; specifically, review the use of the independent living skills and cookery room so that the facilities and arrangements regarding its use meet the needs of young people and promotes their education and attainment (NMS 8.1) p.5
- ensure young people are helped to achieve their educational or training goals; specifically, involve young people formally in discussing their on-going progress and reviewing targets across all areas and ensure these are regularly recorded and updated (NMS 8.4) p.5
- ensure access to information computer technology is improved to enhance learning, access careers advice and guidance and employment-related research (NMS 8.2) p.5
- ensure that education volunteers are equipped with the needs of the children, appropriately trained and used effectively to support classroom learning (NMS 18.1) p.5
- ensure that information of late arrival and early departure from education p.5
What the report dwells on
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Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 16
- Words of findings
- 5,349
- longer than usual (typical 1319)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 41, typical 51
- Average sentence
- 18 words
- Next steps
- 8
- typical 4
- Hedged sentences
- 5%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Unique reference number SC042921 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Secure Unit
p.1
Registered person Lincolnshire County Council Registered person address Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices Newland LINCOLN LN1 1YL Responsible individual Janice Spencer Registered manager David Clarke Date of last inspection 30/01/2014 2 of 16 Inspection date 09/09/2014
p.1
Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection None
p.2
Overall effectiveness good
Outcomes for children and young people outstanding Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good Outcomes in education and related learning activities good
p.2
Overall effectiveness
This is a good home overall. The experienced and committed management team are aspirational for young people to succeed and to achieve the best they can, while staying safe. Ambitious improvement plans will even further improve the outstanding care experience for young people providing further exercise opportunities and greater rewards for improvements in behaviour. Robust link working with partner agencies ensures young people's safety and well-being are central to practice. A Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) manager wrote, 'The LSCB has developed a good working relationship with the home and the unit manager is a proactive member of the LSCB Operational Delivery group. The home seeks advice from local authority designated officers where appropriate and is always keen to encourage them to access the unit and to invite discussions on matters concerning the safeguarding and welfare of the young people who reside there.’
p.2
Overall effectiveness
Nevertheless there are some areas of improvement necessary. These include the quality of recording following supervision and training sessions for staff; ensuring discussions with young people following room searches are recorded and improve the monitoring of risk assessments for the use of the education workshop. 3 of 16 Exceptional care planning effectively meets young people's unique and diverse needs. Young people feel recognised and valued as individuals. The subsequent sense of well-being and security enables young people to engage with the care provided leading to outstanding outcomes. A social worker said, 'It is that sense of achievement and pride in yourself they instil in them that is huge. It’s a really positive experience for my young person to be here. It has saved her life, it has given her the time out to reflect.'
p.2
Overall effectiveness
Young people speak very positively about the care they receive and their relationships with staff. The nurturing and skilled staff team are positive role models for young people. Their consistent care and firm boundaries enable young people to feel protected while they develop important coping strategies and develop an understanding of the behaviours that have led to them being placed in this home. The consequent improvement in self-esteem and self-knowledge enables young people to build trusting, sustainable relationships with staff. A young person said, 'I feel I've got amazing relationships with staff.’
p.3
Overall effectiveness
Sound safeguarding processes are understood and implemented by all staff. Extensive individual risk assessments ensure that young people's vulnerabilities are fully understood allowing for them to be protected, on occasion from their own behaviours. As a result, young people are and feel safe in this home. One young person commented, 'I do feel safe, staff are always there and I've never felt they couldn’t cope with whatever happened' and another said 'You might be surprised to know that I am very happy here.' 4 of 16
p.3
Information about this children’s home
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.
p.4
Information about this children’s home
The children's home can accommodate up to 12 young people, who are aged between 10 and 17 years. Up to 10 young people who have received a custodial sentence can be placed at this home by the Youth Justice Board. Other young people are the subject of Section 25 of The Children Act 1989 and placed by local authorities. Admission of any young person under section 25 of The Children Act 1989 who is over the age of 10 but under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.
p.4
Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement
30/01/2014 Full outstanding 31/07/2013 Full good 08/01/2013 Interim good progress 10/05/2012 Full good
p.4
Recommendations
To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):
p.4
Recommendations
ensure that risk assessments of the whole children’s home environment are carried out to identify any potential sources of harm to the children are record in writing and regularly reviewed, in particular securing the items in the education workshop (NMS 10.8) ensure that the manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies to identify patterns and trends an immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring; in 5 of 16 particular training records (NMS 21.2) ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping, trained to maintain them and to understand the need to be careful, objective and clear when making records, in particular recording action points arising from room searches (Volume5, Statutory Guidance, paragraph 3.28) ensure young people have a home which promotes a learning environment and
p.4
Recommendations
supports their development; specifically, review the use of the independent living skills and cookery room so that the facilities and arrangements regarding its use meet the needs of young people and promotes their education and attainment (NMS 8.1) ensure young people are helped to achieve their educational or training goals; specifically, involve young people formally in discussing their on-going progress and reviewing targets across all areas and ensure these are regularly recorded and updated (NMS 8.4) ensure access to information computer technology is improved to enhance learning, access careers advice and guidance and employment-related research (NMS 8.2) ensure that education volunteers are equipped with the needs of the children, appropriately trained and used effectively to support classroom learning (NMS 18.1) ensure that information of late arrival and early departure from education
p.5
Recommendations
sessions by young people is collected and analysed to identify reasons for their partial attendance and reinforce the prioritisation of education (NMS 23.11) ensure that a written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff (NMS 19.5) ensure that new staff undertake the Children's Workforce Development Council's induction standards, commencing within 7 working days of starting their employment and being completed within 6 months. (NMS 18.3) 6 of 16
p.5
Outcomes for children and young people outstanding
Young people enjoy positive relationships with the members of staff who care for them. Clear boundaries underpinned by respect and concern for their wellbeing from members of staff enable young people to develop trust in their carers. This is turn helps young people to reflect upon their backgrounds and histories and to explore how to develop their coping and life skills and to make positive choices. A young person stated, ‘I haven’t been here very long, but they already understand me and don’t judge me.’
p.6
Outcomes for children and young people outstanding
Young people have very positive health outcomes from excellent health care arrangements. Young people’s health needs are swiftly assessed so that they can be met effectively. Primary health care needs, such as dental and optician appointments are arranged promptly. Young people also benefit significantly by having access to specialist health intervention, treatment and advice from health professionals, such as substance misuse workers, and speech and language therapists. Young people’s emotional wellbeing is promoted to a very high standard and given a high priority. This enables them to settle and to be able to consider and reflect on their behaviours and lifestyles. Additionally, young people are able to lead active healthy lifestyles in the home. This includes eating a healthy balanced diet and being able to partake in regular physical activities and exercise.
p.6
Outcomes for children and young people outstanding
Young people are able to contact their families and others important to them. They are also able to receive visitors into the home. Where there are restrictions on contact this is explained to the young people together with the reasons for doing so. A young person sated, ‘They have listened to me and helped me to keep in contact with the people I want to. I can make calls whenever I want.’
p.6
Outcomes for children and young people outstanding
Young people significantly develop their independence and life skills. Bespoke high quality detailed assessments of their abilities enable young people to identify areas where they can build on their skills. For example, they learn to cook and budget. Some young people take part in repairing lawn mowers and bicycles which can be sold to the general public. Additionally there are opportunities for young people to take part in activities in the community and to go on work experience. An example of working with the wider community includes a young person becoming a peer mentor and providing and supporting training in fire awareness on courses run by the local fire brigade. These innovative opportunities enable young people to further develop self-esteem and confidence. Young people and their parents and social workers recognise that there is significant and excellent progress in this area. A parent commented, 'She does lots of activities. Such an improvement, it’s working for her.’
p.6
Quality of care outstanding
Care provided to the young people is of an excellent standard. Each young person’s needs are known and members of staff work diligently to nurture young people’s development and skills. Members of staff are sound role models and provide consistent and safe routines which enable young people to develop trusting relationships.
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
The embedded culture of respect and valuing each other’s opinions enables young people to be confident in expressing their feelings in the manner they find preferable. For example, in young people’s meetings or one to one sessions with members of staff or by approaching managers and advocates. As a result young people are able to influence activities, menus and to voice their thoughts about their individual plans. A young person said, ‘It’s really great here, there’s always someone to talk to and they listen.’ Young people are also asked during their meetings with link workers if they have any comments or concerns. This is proactive and further encourages young people to share their views on how they feel they are being treated.
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
The open and accepting culture of the home ensures that young people are aware of how to complain and to whom. Young people are confident in using the complaint system. They are satisfied with outcomes. Young people feel heard and that their points of view are valuable.
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
Detailed care plans include the views and contributions of the young people as well as others, such as parents and social workers, and outline how each young person is to be cared for and supported. These documents are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are accurate and up to date and that the young person is in agreement with them. As a result of this, young people have an investment in planning for their future and in identifying how they can improve their life chances and life skills. This enables young people to make significant changes to their behaviours and to experience success in the home. A mother of a young person stated, ‘I have seen such an improvement in her, it’s working for her. She’s much happier. Much better than her last place.’
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
Young people have access to a range of health services. Every effort is made to engage the young people in living healthy and active lifestyles while they are at the home. Young people attend any medical appointments supported closely by members of staff. There are also health professionals available on site to the young people. For example a psychologist, mental health nurse and psychiatrist. These professionals also provide guidance to members of staff in preparing plans of care. This approach further promotes the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the young people to a very high standard.
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
The home makes every effort to engage young people in interesting activities and this helps them to make positive life choices. Young people have an excellent range of activities available to them. This means they can experiment and try out interests 8 of 16 and activities which they have not tried before. Apart from the wide range of activities on site, the home is innovative in using community contacts so that the young people can go off site when they have approved mobility programmes, and expand their life experiences. This enrichment develops their self-esteem and confidence. As a result, young people have been able to join local football clubs and to take part in activities such as wind surfing with accredited and approved mentors.
p.7
Quality of care outstanding
The detailed care plans and rigorous admission process ensures that each young person’s specific religious and cultural needs are identified and met. Additionally, the uniqueness of each young person is valued and promoted. Where young people have specific needs, for example, a learning difficulty, the staff will adjust how they work with the young person and ensure communication is commensurate with the young person’s understanding and ability. Behaviour management and care plans are also reviewed and adjusted to meet each young person’s needs. This supports and enables the young people to achieve success and to feel that they are genuinely valued as a part of the home.
p.8
Quality of care outstanding
The home is comfortably furnished and in a good state of repair. Young people are able to personalise their rooms and this encourages them to have an investment in where they live. They also have numerous works of art and project work displayed around the home and this encourages a feeling of pride and achievement. A social worker stated, ‘She’s doing brilliantly. She is like a different person, she really is.’
p.8
Keeping children and young people safe good
Young people report that they are safe and feel safe. The caring staff team recognise the individual vulnerabilities of each young person and take proactive steps to address them. Young people receive the same care, rights and protection in this home as they would in another residential setting. Consequently young people are safeguarded and feel that they can identify a worker they would go to if they felt unsafe. This sense of belonging and security enhances young people’s well-being and self-confidence empowering them to address the matters that have led them to be placed in this home. A social worker stated, ‘She’s probably safer here than she has been in her whole entire life.’
p.8
Keeping children and young people safe good
Young people are protected from bullying behaviour by the proactive staff team who recognise their diverse needs and vulnerabilities. Any potential episodes are addressed immediately and innovative intervention plans for both the perpetrator and the victim are effectively implemented. These are discussed and agreed with young people and fully underpinned by the use of restorative justice practice. As a result, young people learn valuable negotiation and self-protection skills while building self- esteem and feelings of self-worth.
p.8
Keeping children and young people safe good
The home maintains up-to-date locally agreed missing from home protocols with the police and local authority. Young people are protected as any mobility or health 9 of 16 appointments in the local community are extremely well planned for and staff would know what to do if there was an incident. Consequently young people have not attempted to abscond on outings. There have not been any incidents of absconding from this home since the last inspection.
p.8
Keeping children and young people safe good
An excellent child protection policy is well known by all staff who confirm they know what to do if there was a child protection concern. Newly appointed staff have child protection procedures explained to them as part of their induction process. Young people are therefore effectively safeguarded.
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
Excellent partnership working with the local authority designated officer (LADO) and LSCB effectively helps to ensure young people are protected. There has been one referral in relation to an allegation against a staff member since the last inspection. All relevant authorities were informed appropriately thereby protecting young people and staff. An LSCB manager wrote, ‘The LSCB has no concerns regarding the home, the use of restraint, staff competence or indeed the safety of young people in their care.’
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
Young people learn the benefits of positive behaviours as a result of the consistent expectations and boundaries demonstrated by staff. The effective incentive scheme gives young people the opportunity to progress to greater rewards and independence. For example, the use of the platinum lounge where they can make their own drinks and having a larger choice of television channels and films to watch in their bedrooms. Young people aspire to achieve gold and platinum status. Consequently young people’s behaviour improves as they engage with the care provided and learn more appropriate coping strategies. A young person said, ‘Because I am doing so well I got the bedroom I wanted.’
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
Young people’s individual and diverse needs, including self-harm risks, are extremely well planned for. Comprehensive risk assessments are complemented by the ‘yellow form’ system which ensures that all staff are aware of both persistent and current risks. Consequently young people are closely monitored and protected leading to a reduction in self-harm incidents and aggressive behaviours. A social worker said, ‘The relationships with the staff here for her are really, really positive. She’s able to discuss her thought process with them which is how she’s able to change her behaviour.’
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
The majority of young people, even those who have only been in the home a short time, enjoy positive, caring relationships with staff and some of the young people. The robust behaviour management plans identify any known triggers and are effectively implemented in day-to-day care. These enable young people to learn positive ways of reacting to negative emotions. A social worker said, ‘She is learning to trust adults and is learning consequences, which is massive for her.'
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
Physical intervention is used when necessary to safeguard young people from harming themselves or others, or to prevent serious damage to property. 10 of 16 Comprehensive risk assessments detail the forms of restraint and duration that can be used safely with individual young people. Only staff who are fully trained in the home's restraint techniques are involved in physical intervention and pain compliance methods are not used. Young people are provided with the opportunity to learn from the experience by the detailed follow up sessions facilitated with a member of staff not involved in the incident. Young people are further safeguarded by robust monitoring processes which ensure that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage is routinely accessed by the management team. This ensures that practice complies with policy and is appropriate.
p.9
Keeping children and young people safe good
Sanctions used are appropriate and coupled with restorative justice practices, enable young people to learn from the consequences of their actions. Young people are provided with the opportunity to negotiate their sanction and then comment upon it in writing. This provides further opportunities for young people to reflect upon their behaviours and learn how to curb some negative impulses. For example, a young person wrote, ‘sweet, that’s okay’ after negotiating thirty minutes loss of television rather than losing points on his incentive scheme.
p.10
Keeping children and young people safe good
Single separation is used appropriately. It is used in line with government guidance. Young people report that this is always fair and proportionate and none expressed any concerns. The use of single separation is fully recorded to show the reasons for its use. Close monitoring and observations take place while young people are alone to keep them safe.
p.10
Keeping children and young people safe good
The appropriate placement of CCTV cameras ensures that young people’s dignity is maintained while they are protected. Young people’s bedrooms and bathroom facilities do not have CCTV coverage providing young people with appropriate privacy in their personal space. Sensitive, discreet observations ensure young people remain safeguarded while in their rooms.
p.10
Keeping children and young people safe good
Room searches are used appropriately to safeguard young people particularly if there is a risk of self-harm. Any items found are discussed with young people. However, there is no clear recording of this therefore full information may not be shared with all relevant parties. For example, informing the head teacher that a young person had removed an item from education.
p.10
Keeping children and young people safe good
There have been eight new members of staff appointed since the last inspection. Robust local authority recruitment processes are effectively followed. This ensures young people are cared for by the right people.
p.10
Keeping children and young people safe good
Young people are safeguarded by appropriate attention to health and safety practices. The security of the building is very good. Excellent key management systems ensure that keys cannot be removed from the building and nobody can gain access without appropriate authorisation. Young people are safeguarded by these measures. However the education workshop, where young people learn how to repair lawn mowers and cycles of all descriptions, is not as well managed as it could 11 of 16 be. A number of items which could potentially pose a risk to young people are not routinely secured. Young people never have access to this space unsupervised and are searched when they leave; however, the securing of items is needed to enhance safety in this area.
p.10
Leadership and management good
The experienced and competent Registered Manager has been in post for over six years. He is suitably qualified to undertake his role. He is well supported by a highly skilled team of deputy managers and senior staff. Staff and young people appreciate the accessibility of managers and the way they respond quickly when additional help or support is requested. On-call arrangements are effective and enable staff to quickly access guidance and support in challenging situations.
p.11
Leadership and management good
The homes Statement of Purpose is clear and provides a range of useful information to parents, social workers and other stakeholders. It is regularly reviewed to reflect changes to staffing and facilities in the home. This ensures that information provided is accurate and current. An additional leaflet is produced specifically for parents and families. This contains practical and helpful advice which promotes family contact arrangements. A well written young person’s guide helps young people to understand their rights and responsibilities in the home. It can be produced in a range of formats and languages so all young people can access it. In addition, the home displays posters around the home which contain advice from previous residents including how to access external advocacy and how to raise concerns. This is an effective means of providing information to young people.
p.11
Leadership and management good
Continual improvement is a high priority for the home. Development plans drive improvements in education facilities, vocational training, television and telephone systems, medical facilities and visitor rooms. The home has also improved the privacy of young people through the introduction of smart glass viewing panels to some bedrooms. The design and layout of the building has been altered so that staff can better manage incidents to minimise the impact of challenging behaviour on other young people. This reduces the potential for conflict and restraint because damaging and dangerous behaviours can be isolated. Group work has been enhanced by establishing links with a wider range of agencies, such as the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and motivational speakers.
p.11
Leadership and management good
Current improvement plans centre around ambitious objectives to create additional education, sports and staff training facilities. Planning for this development is now at an advanced stage. It is focused on increasing the range and quality of accredited vocational courses offered to young people. Additional objectives include the provision of a horizontal climbing wall, improving rewards to young people through the incentive scheme and providing smart glass vision panels in all rooms. Ambitious and creative plans for continual improvement reflect good quality management arrangements. 12 of 16 Managers have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They carefully follow Local Safeguarding Children Board policy and guidance so that all concerns and complaints are addressed promptly and effectively. All allegations and disclosures of potential abuse or poor practice are quickly notified to safeguarding
p.11
Leadership and management good
agencies and regulatory bodies. This ensures that investigations can be carried out promptly and robustly. Managers also ensure that all staff know what to do if they have safeguarding concerns or if they receive an allegation of abuse. However, current record keeping arrangements do not demonstrate that all staff have received training or guidance in safeguarding.
p.12
Leadership and management good
Staff are generally well supported through regular formal and informal supervision. They report that supervisors provide helpful guidance and advice so that they are able to improve the quality of care provided to young people. However, supervision is not always recorded. This limits the ability of managers to manage the performance of staff. It also hinders efforts to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of supervisory processes. However, each member of staff receives an annual appraisal of their performance. Appraisal is used well to set individual development objectives for staff. This supports the continual improvement of the home. Adequate use is made of staff meetings to share information, set high expectations of staff and to develop strategies to improve care standards.
p.12
Leadership and management good
All staff have access to a range of training and development opportunities. As well as core training, such as safeguarding, restraint, first aid and fire safety, staff have recently undertaken more specialised training that is tailored to the needs of the young people and the organisation. This includes training in restorative justice, gang awareness, autism awareness, online safety, reflective practice and information governance. This enables staff to meet the identified needs of young people and keep up to date with professional, legal and practice developments.
p.12
Leadership and management good
New starters are provided with a comprehensive induction to the home. This ensures that they understand essential policies and procedures, safety systems, daily routines, behaviour management approaches and the principal needs of each young person. Staff say that their induction helps them to understand their role, provide good quality care and adapt quickly to working in a secure environment. However, induction records are not always kept up to date. This makes it difficult for managers to demonstrate that new members of staff are provided with guidance in such areas as safeguarding, managing complaints and fire safety. In addition, because staff who have commenced employment in recent months have not undertaken the CWDC induction workbook, they do not benefit from a recognised induction in to children’s social care.
p.12
good
13 of 16 Education outcomes for young people are good. Young people make good progress during their time in education, often from a very low starting point. Most young people arrive with few qualifications in English or mathematics, with reading and numeracy skills well below those expected for their chronological age following a poor school experience.
p.13
good
Initial assessment is effective and carried out promptly so that programmes of learning match young people’s needs well. Many young people arrive with complex behavioural, emotional and mental health needs and staff develop personalised programmes to maximise their attainment within the home.
p.13
good
All young people leave the home with at least one national qualification and many leave with higher level qualifications. This prepares them well for moving on to further education or training. In English and mathematics, young people make better progress than their peers in mainstream schools.
p.13
good
Personal and social skills, self-esteem and confidence grow as young people are encouraged to take part in a good range of activities. They develop good practical skills in art, cookery, crafts and computer design technology. Most young people prefer the more practical aspects of learning. For example repairing and maintaining bicycles within the computer design technology programme.
p.13
good
Young people’s progress accelerates during their time within the home. Teaching staff are very skilled at helping young people overcome barriers to learning and motivating them to study.
p.13
good
Teaching, learning and assessment are good. Young people are enthusiastic about their learning as work is carefully matched to their ability, learning needs and individual circumstances. A variety of teaching styles are used in each lesson to help groups of learners of very mixed abilities increase their skills and knowledge and gain in confidence. Staff regularly praise young people for their effort. The education rewards scheme works well and recognition of young people’s participation, effort and behaviour helps them to focus on their work. In the large majority of lessons young people participate well and complete challenging tasks. This contributes to the good and often very good progress being made relative to young people’s starting points and length of stay.
p.13
good
Teachers make good use of information computer technology (ICT) to enliven learning, where it is available. In better sessions teachers make clear links between the learning taking place and future employability. In many lessons care staff voluntarily provide highly valued personal and pastoral support to young people during lessons, however, they are not sufficiently qualified and trained in supporting learning to be fully effective.
p.13
good
All young people have individual education plans; however, these plans are insufficiently detailed and do not clearly explain how targets are going to be 14 of 16 monitored and achieved. A new system of group tutorials has been introduced, but it is too early to judge its effectiveness. Young people are not always confident about how well they are progressing with all aspects of their education.
p.13
good
The observation of teaching practice is well established and the results of learning walks are used to support staff performance and identify training needs. Young people are routinely involved in discussions about their progress in education and are confident in raising issues and concerns as they arise. The education manager has close links with local schools to help review and improve the quality of the provision. Arrangements to further strengthen the level of professional support and challenge from the local authority have yet to be fully implemented.
p.14
good
Good attention is given to equality and diversity during lessons with frequent, interesting discussions and group debates. These concentrate on current affairs or topics of personal interest which help young people consider their previous understanding of significant subjects.
p.14
good
The curriculum is appropriate and teachers work well together to coordinate a diverse range of subjects and activities to meet the needs of individual young people. Core curriculum subjects are prioritised so that young people can begin to bridge the gaps in their knowledge and learning. The range of accredited courses is much improved and the home now provides good opportunities for young people to achieve awards in subjects including: life skills, food technology, bricklaying, gardening, mechanics and technology.
p.14
good
Young people enjoy a good range of educational and leisure sports, games and physical activities. The range of work experience opportunities includes, where appropriate, external placements and day release to local colleges.
p.14
good
Resources are used effectively in most lessons to enhance learning, encourage participation and stimulate discussion. Teachers make appropriate use of wall displays to support learning and to share young people’s work particularly in English, art and design technology.
p.14
good
Access to ICT remains limited and is insufficient to enable young people to make better progress in developing relevant vocational skills or to research future education and employment opportunities. The kitchen used to teach independent living skills and cookery is too small to accommodate the planned number of users.
p.14
good
A varied enrichment programme is offered across the home, particularly during school holidays, which is appealing, closely reflects the needs and interests of young people and enhances the education programme. Very effective links with a wide range of external organisations are used well to offer a wide variety of activities such as oral health, road safety, poetry, cooking, theatre and dance. Where it is practical, accreditation is available. For example, a few young people have achieved a BTEC level one award in ‘fire and rescue services in the 15 of 16 community’.
p.14
good
Education staff take an active part in informing and influencing young people’s care plans and contribute fully to transition planning. Teachers provide young people useful informal careers advice during lessons and group tutorials. Formal advice and guidance from a specialist agency is arranged, if required.
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good
Behaviour is good. Relationships between staff and young people are mutually respectful and trusting. Young people get on well with their teachers and peers which results in a relaxed and purposeful atmosphere in most lessons. Incidences of inappropriate behaviour are infrequent and most are dealt with effectively.
p.15
good
Attendance is very high. Lessons start punctually and movements at break times throughout the day are managed quietly and efficiently. However, the disruption to learning through young people arriving late or leaving lessons early is inadequately recorded and monitored. A small number of lessons are disrupted by the need for young people to attend meetings and appointments. Teachers are not always informed of these events and as a result are unable to plan learning effectively.
p.15
good
Young people work safely in classes and in practical activities. They learn about and demonstrate safe working practices, including the use of personal protective equipment within all activities. Briefings from care staff at the start of each day identify any concerns that need to be shared about individual young people and are used to help plan education activities well. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
p.15
good
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Judgement Description
Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.
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Judgement Description
Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.
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Judgement Description
Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.
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Judgement Description
Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.
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Information 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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Information about this inspection
The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.
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