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

Unique reference number SC034241 Inspector Rachel Griffiths Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Martyn Jackson Date of last inspection 27/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 17/09/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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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

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Information about this children’s home

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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Information about this children’s home

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/03/2014 Interim good progress 28/01/2014 Full outstanding 25/03/2013 Interim good progress 28/11/2012 Full outstanding

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3)(f)) 31/10/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

33 The independent person, when carrying out a visit, 31/10/2014 4 of 10 (2001) shall interview, with their consent and in private, such parents and relatives of young people accommodated in the home as appears necessary (Regulation 33 (8) (a))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) The system referred to in paragraph 1 (The registered person shall establish and maintain a system for (a) monitoring the matters set out in schedule 6 at least once in every 3 months; and (b) improving the quality of care provided in the children’s home) shall provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities (Regulation 34(3)) 31/10/2014

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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

 Staff and volunteers are supported and guided to fulfil their roles and provide a high quality service to service to children (NMS 19) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people make exceptional progress in all areas of their lives. One social worker commented that the development of a young person for whom she is responsible has ‘excelled across the board’. Young people develop life skills. They have greatly improved control over their emotions and significantly improved self-esteem. This enables young people to enjoy improved, meaningful and positive relationships with their carers and peers.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Education is provided on site and caters for individual needs which are exceptionally complex and diverse. All young people have excellent attendance at school and benefit from close collaborative working between school and care staff. Young people are consistently achieving outstanding educational outcomes from their starting point both inside and outside of the classroom. Consequently, young people’s sense of achievement and their options and opportunities in adulthood are greatly enhanced.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All young people make excellent progress in respect of their physical and emotional health because of a high level of consistent, multi-disciplinary support. Their physical health is enhanced by a healthy balanced diet. Therapeutic support and consistent routines enhance their emotional health and wellbeing. A social worker commented in respect of a young person; ‘his behaviour has settled, his seizures have reduced and he is really happy and settled’. Another social worker said that since moving to the home a young person is now ‘physically blooming’.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All young people engage in a wide range of activities in the community. This includes swimming, sailing, gardening, photography and trips out to different places of interest. A parent commented that his son ‘has done more activities in one month that he did in four years in his previous placement’. Such engagement enables young people to make a positive contribution to their community. It has built their self- confidence and self-esteem. It has enabled them to develop social skills, as well contributing to more positive physical health and wellbeing.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The quality of young people’s relationships with their family greatly improves as a result of living in the home. One of the significant reasons for this is that levels of challenging behaviour reduce. One parent told a member of staff that she can now take her son to other people’s houses without fear, and said that ‘normal life can now resume’. Improved family relationships enable young people to retain a sense of their identity. It also provides an opportunity for young people to have a solid family support network in the longer term.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people benefit from being supported to meet their pathway to independence targets. This enhances their independence skills and prepares them well for future 6 of 10 placements in their adult life. An independent reviewing officer expressed high praise for the transition plans for a young person. He said; ‘I am really pleased with the transition plan in place. The young person’s independence skills have really developed. His levels of empathy have developed and he is looking forward to his planned move into the upper school’. A parent commented, ‘I could not be happier, my son has much more opportunities in adult life as a result of the progress he has made at the home’.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people have excellent relationships with staff. Observations of staff demonstrate that they are skilled in a variety of different communication techniques and that they encourage and celebrate achievement. A parent commented that ‘staff have a good rapport with my son’. Another parent commented that he has ‘never seen his son happier’. The positive relationships young people have with a consistent team of committed staff helps provide a secure emotional base from where young people can develop.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people in the home have a range of learning and communication difficulties which means that the majority of young people are unable to verbalise their views. Staff are however very creative and use a range of methods and tools to ensure that young people have an opportunity to share their views and have a say in the day-to- day running of the home. For example, through the use of PECS, young people’s view have been heard and acted upon in relation to new outdoor play equipment, gym equipment and toys for the home. Young people also participate in school council meetings. This impacts positively on young people both in school and in the home. One young person said; ‘we do not shout out in school and we should not at home either, we do not bully at school or in the home, these are some of the rules we set in school council’. Excellent methods of communication impact positively on young people. It helps them feel valued and this helps raise their self-esteem and

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are extremely knowledgeable about the individual needs of young people. This knowledge is enhanced by liaising very closely with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. This team regularly review and update care plans to ensure they remain robust and appropriate. A social worker commented that ‘staff manage young people exceptionally well. They have worked closely with myself and CAMHS. The staff are very good at multi-agency working’. Working together ensures that consistent approaches to care are provided. It also provides certainty for young people. Such predictable care impacts positively on young people’s sense of stability and security.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff provide an excellent level of support in relation to young people’s health and development. Diverse dietary needs are extremely well catered for. Staff are proactive in ensuring that young people have access to appropriate, extensive and 7 of 10 individualised leisure activities. All young people are engaged in a number of different leisure interests which they enjoy. Participation in these enables them to make friends, keep healthy and feel valued members of their community.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is maintained to an exceptionally high standard. It provides a very comfortable and homely environment in which young people can thrive. Young people’s bedrooms are well equipped and individualised. Bedrooms and communal areas within the home are personalised with many photographs of young people enjoying activities, young people’s art work and certificates they have been awarded. This shows young people how proud staff are of them and further improves their self-esteem.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Parents and social workers say that young people feel safe and are safe in this home. Their safety and well-being are promoted to a high standard through comprehensive risk assessments which recognise the young peoples’ individual vulnerabilities while supporting their engagement in new activities in the community. One parent said in respect of the staff; ‘they keep him safe through close supervision but they also enable him to try new things’. Consequently, young people life experiences are being enhanced by enjoying activities in which their peers in the community also engage.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff have a good understanding of the homes safeguarding and whistleblowing policies. They have all received safeguarding training. They demonstrate an understanding of how to respond should a young person disclose any form of abuse to them or should they have concerns about the practices of other staff. The Registered Manager investigates safeguarding allegations thoroughly and communicates effectively with the Local Authority Designated Officer. This reduces the risk of abuse in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people do not go missing from the home. However up to date policies and procedures ensure that should this become an issue in the future staff understand what actions to take to safeguard young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The physical environment is very well maintained. Fire drills and checks are regularly undertaken. Good quality health and safety systems such as monthly health and safety and premises audits are undertaken. Consequently young people benefit from living in a physically safe environment.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Medication administration and storage procedures are good. Medication is stored securely. Administration is witnessed and accurate records of this are kept. Medication cupboards are clearly labelled and tidy. Staff are trained in medication and first aid. Young people are thus safeguarded from the risk of mistakes being made in the administration of medication. 8 of 10 The company has a robust recruitment and selection procedure for new staff. This includes young people being involved with the interviewing process. All staff have been recruited and checked appropriately. This ensures that only those people who are suitable to work with young people and do not pose a risk to their safety are employed.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour is well managed in the home. Each young person has an individualised behaviour management plan. Patterns of behaviour are monitored and reviewed on a monthly basis and plans are amended and updated accordingly. Incidents of physical intervention are decreasing in the home. When it is used, it is generally well recorded and provides clear details of behaviours which led to an incident and why physical intervention was required. The records however do not consistently contain all the required information in respect of the effectiveness of the action undertaken. As a result, the impact of the use of physical intervention is unclear. Additionally incomplete information hinders the manager’s effective monitoring of the use of physical intervention and the capacity to improve staff practice in this area.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager is very experienced and has been in post for a number of years. He is working towards the completion of the required manager’s qualification within agreed timescales.

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Leadership and management good

The manager is motivated and committed. He continues to identify ways to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The homes development plan is detailed and has been actioned to increase the amount of activities young people participate in whilst living in the home. An independent advocate with specialist communication skills has also been identified to improve opportunities for young people to have their views heard and acted upon.

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Leadership and management good

The homes Statement of Purpose provides clear and accurate information to parents and placing authorities about the care, support and services the home offers. Young people are provided with excellent information about the home in formats appropriate to their individual communication needs.

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Leadership and management good

Staff undertake a comprehensive programme of training which ensures that they are competent in meeting the individual needs of young people. For example, staff have recently undertaken training in respect of different communication techniques, supporting education, safeguarding, risk assessments, equality and diversity, child sexual exploitation and whistleblowing. Staff receive regular, formal supervision and attend regular team meetings. This ensures that their practice is monitored and provides scope for further improvements in the delivery of care. Young people benefit greatly from the care provided to them by skilled staff who are equipped to meet individual needs. 9 of 10 A significant number of staff have left the company since the last inspection. As a result, despite recruitment taking place, the staff team is currently depleted by a number of posts. To date, this has not had an impact on young people. Shifts are

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Leadership and management good

being covered by members of staff doing over time and on occasions by training being postponed to a later date. Staff report that this situation has resulted in low staff morale across the teams. Many staff say they feel under pressure, undervalued and unsupported by the company. Whilst staff remain committed to maintaining the excellent care and outcomes which continue to be achieved by young people, ongoing low staff morale has the potential to impact of the care young people receive in the future.

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Leadership and management good

Managers and leaders very effectively monitor the progress young people make whilst living in the home. For example, data is collected in respect of young people’s behaviours. Patterns and trends are then analysed and young people’s placement plans and risk assessments are then updated accordingly. The data collected and subsequent analysis of it enables the manager to clearly demonstrate the impact and value living at the home is having on young people’s lives and how their life chances are improving.

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Leadership and management good

The home ensures that the required external and internal quality assurance checks are undertaken and sent to the HMCI within the timescales set out in the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001. These checks identify strengths in the home as well as minor shortfalls. They do not however show sufficient evidence that parents and / or stakeholders are regularly consulted with when these reports are being compiled. Consequently, they do not provide a level of quality assurance that ensures that young people receive consistently high standards of care. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management 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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