Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC042967 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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 Lee Geoffrey Crisp Date of last inspection 28/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 03/12/2014

p.1

Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

p.2

Overall effectiveness

From their starting points, young people make good progress in relation to developing a positive sense of self. They increase in confidence in all areas of their lives and make and sustain attachments. The staff team prepare young people very well for their eventual move to independence and clearly place the needs of all young people at the centre of their practice.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people have all of their holistic health needs very well met in this home. A particular strength of this home is its commitment and dedication to ensuring that young people receive the therapeutic services they require. This has led to significant improvements in the emotional and psychological well-being for some young people.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people generally engage well in education. All young people have educational provisions in place. The staff team work very hard to promote their engagement and attendance. Young people also feel very well integrated into the local community. Many have formed and sustained peer relationships locally through their engagement in education or social activities.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The staff team promotes contact to a very high level for young people. They advocate for young people and ensure that they have meaningful contact with family 3 of 11 and significant others at all times. The staff team also undertake very focused and detailed work with young people in relation to independence skills and training. This has led to the very successful transition of several young people from this home to adult service provisions.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

One requirement and one recommendation were made as a result of the last inspection of this home. The Registered Manager has ensured that the Statement of Purpose has been updated and a copy provided to Ofsted. Young people now receive clear feedback to any requests or issues they raise in their young people's meetings.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Two recommendations have been set as a result of this inspection. They have no adverse impact on the care or safety of the young people living in this home. 4 of 11

p.3

Information about this children’s home

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

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2014 Interim good progress 21/08/2013 Full good 29/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 31/10/2012 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 the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually and if necessary is updated. This is with specific reference to ensuring that all refresher training is clearly recorded and takes place for all staff (NMS 18.2)  ensure that the home has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working (including as volunteers) for the children's home which includes: identity checks, DBS disclosures, confirmation of qualifications, at least two references, checks to confirm the right to work in the UK and any further checks as deemed appropriate. (NMS 16.3)(a-f)) 5 of 11

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people increase in confidence and resilience during their time living in this home. From their starting points, young people learn how to manage any concerning behaviours in a safer and more effective manner. They learn about their pasts and develop a clearer sense and acceptance of their situations. This is attributable to the excellent support they receive from the highly dedicated staff team and managers.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people receive very good support in relation to their health needs. They learn to consider the negative impact of smoking, alcohol and drug use and have access to services to support them in these areas. Young people also receive very timely mental health services. This has led to significant improvements in the emotional and psychological well-being for some young people. A consultant clinical psychologist stated; ' the progress made has been phenomenal and is down to the support and care provided by the staff team and key worker'.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people contribute fully to the care and support provided to them. They consider and read records and documents relating to the care and support they receive on a regular basis. They take part in regular meetings to share any concerns or requests. Staff respond quickly and clearly to them. This promotes a sense of belonging and value for all young people living in this home.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people all have educational provisions in place. This includes further educational placements for those over school-leaving age. Their achievement is good, taking into account their starting points and previous levels of engagement before moving to this home. Staff fully support and encourage young people to attend and involve relevant agencies to support young people's attendance and engagement.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are positively involved in the local community. They access a wide range of resources and present as fully integrated and accepted in the local area. Staff ensure that they have opportunities to take part in new activities, as well as enabling them to spend free time in the local area. This has led to young people forming and sustaining friendships in the local area and being able to spend time with friends and inviting them to visit them at the home.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people display a noticeable reduction in anti-social and offending behaviours over time. They engage positively with staff to consider and address any unsafe behaviours. One consultant psychologist involved with a young person commented on this; 'there has been a significant improvement in relation to incidents of concerning behaviour in a relatively short period of time'.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people receive very good support to prepare them for their eventual move to independence or adult service provisions. They work with staff to develop the skills 6 of 11 and competences they will need to make a successful transition. Young people learn how to meet their own personal care needs, cooking and budgeting over time. Some young people have made successful transitions from this home as a result of this work and remain in contact with the staff team.

p.5

Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy sound relationships with each other and the staff team. This is attributable in part to the consistent and clear boundaries set in place for them by the staff team. A team manager for a placing authority praised the staff team for the quality of their risk assessments and plans for each young person. This is felt to have led to increased stability and global improvements for young people over time.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team actively encourage young people to make a full contribution to how the home is run at all times. This includes consulting with them on menu planning, activities and engaging in interviews for new members of staff. Young people report feeling central to the care provided to them at all times. They know and understand the complaints procedures and have confidence in using them. There have been no reported complaints made since the last inspection. One young person stated that they know how to make a complaint, but tend to find that the staff deal with any issues they have so well, that they don’t need to use the formal processes.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

Placement plans for each young person are exceptionally clear, regularly reviewed and reflect the current and changing needs of each young person. Personal profiles for each young person are written with the young people and reflect their specific needs in all areas. Parents and carers are encouraged to fully contribute to such plans at the time of admission. This ensures that detailed plans are put in place, which are then regularly reviewed and updated.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team places the needs of young people at the centre of all their working practices. A key strength of this home is how well it meets the psychological and emotional needs of all young people. There is very close and proactive working with mental health services locally. This has led to significant and extremely positive outcomes for some young people. From their starting points, some young people now have exceptional emotional well-being and an improved ability to consider their own concerning behaviours and respond more appropriately to them.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team support young people to make and sustain peer relationships in the local area. This has led to some young people having sleep-overs at friends' homes. Friends are also welcomed to visit the home and spend time with the young people. This promotes an excellent sense of belonging for young people and in them feeling very well integrated in the local community.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team demonstrate consistently high aspirations for all young people. This is apparent by how well they work with involved agencies at all times. Feedback from 7 of 11 such agencies as CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services) is exceptionally positive. One consultant psychologist stated that the progress made by a young person was largely attributable to the excellent work done by the key worker and staff team. They stated; ' I cannot praise the key worker and staff enough for what they have done. The improvements in the emotional well-being for the young person have been exceptional in a very short period of time'.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team know the complex needs of each young person extremely well and celebrate their successes at all times. Daily handover meetings between staff reflect their detailed awareness of the young people and how best to support them. One health professional who had sat in on a handover meeting stated; ' I was very impressed with the staff and how well they know the young people and respond to their holistic needs'. A looked after children's nurse commented; 'the staff team are enthusiastic and motivational towards the young people in their care and my experience is that they are dynamic in the way they respond to needs; looking for varied approaches to good effect'.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

The staff team have embraced training in order to provide imaginative care to young people. Some staff have begun to implement specific therapeutic techniques for young people and devised development plans for them. This reflects their commitment to promoting the best possible outcomes for young people. It also reflects the learning culture of the staff team, supported fully by the Registered Manager.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

Staff challenge other agencies where any shortfalls are identified, which may have a negative impact on young people. They take extremely comprehensive notes during all review meetings and place these on young people's records. This enables them to ensure that any agreed actions are addressed and met in a timely manner. They also track and chase any missing documentation through monthly case file audits. This further ensures that young people's holistic needs are known and met at all times.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

Staff fully support the attendance and engagement of young people in education at all times. For some young people, their attendance and engagement historically has not been good. Staff work very hard to ensure that all involved agencies work together to improve the educational attendance and achievement of young people. Staff were praised by both placing authorities and independent reviewing officers for the excellent work they do in relation to meeting the educational needs of young people in this home.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people report feeling very safe living at this home. They feel confident and able to discuss any concerns or issues they may have with either their key worker or other members of the staff team. 8 of 11 Staff demonstrate a very clear and detailed awareness and understanding of the needs of each young person. Risk assessments and behaviour management plans clearly reflect the potential triggers for young people to place themselves at risk of harm. Staff apply a very consistent and clear approach to the management of any actual or potential harm, which young people may place themselves at. They respond quickly and very effectively to any concerning or anti-social behaviours of young people, to reduce any potentially harmful or concerning outcomes. Involved agencies praise the staff team for how well they know each young person and how well they respond to their complex needs. One placing authority stated; ' the staff team

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe good

respond extremely well to any incidents of concern. They appropriately let us know of incidents, but they deal with them with real confidence and ensure the safety of young people at all times'.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe good

The staff team work very closely with local police and other agencies at all times. They request police support at times of particular need for young people and appropriately refer to them to work with young people. Over time, young people learn of the consequences of any concerning or anti-social behaviours they may exhibit and learn how to keep themselves safe.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe good

There is minimum use of physical restraint in this home. Staff manage any concerning behaviours very well and use de-escalation and distraction techniques wherever possible. When restraint is used, this is well recorded and always includes a debrief with young people. An independent visitor is also advised of any use of restraint, in order that they can also offer support to young people, if they want this. Staff also receive good reflection and debriefs on the use of restraints. This ensures that both staff and young people feel supported and confident in the process and outcomes. The Registered Manager closely monitors all use of physical restraint and considers it as part of the management monitoring and oversight of the home on a monthly basis.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe good

The staff team take any reported incidents of bullying very seriously in this home. Where any incidents are raised, a bullying pack is opened in relation to the alleged victim and bully. Focused work is then undertaken with all involved, to ensure that such concerning behaviours are eradicated. This has led to a noticeable reduction in incidents of bullying in this home. The Registered Manager monitors and oversees all reported incidents of bullying to ensure that work is done by staff with young people in a timely and clear manner.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe good

The recruitment and selection procedures for new permanent members of staff is robust and detailed. The home has recently taken on a limited number of short-term student placements from abroad. Basic checks have been undertaken through the placing university, but more detailed checks have not been undertaken. This would ensure that any relevant information is obtained and checked, prior to students commencing work in the home. There has been no adverse impact on any young person as a result of this shortfall. 9 of 11 Young people rarely go missing from this home. Clear risk assessments and plans ensure that young people understand expectations of them in relation to free time, which they respond positively to. Staff demonstrate a very clear and detailed awareness of the needs of each young person in relation to the potential for them to go missing and following risk assessments diligently.

p.8

Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has been in post for several years. He has the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to perform the role. The one requirement and one recommendation made at the last inspection have been fully considered and addressed by the Registered Manager.

p.9

Leadership and management good

There have been no reported complaints from either young people or others since the last inspection. Young people report feeling confident in being able to raise any concerns or issues they may have with the staff team. They report feeling assured that their issues will be responded to in a timely manner and resolved to their satisfaction.

p.9

Leadership and management good

There is a detailed and very comprehensive development plan in place for this home. It clearly sets out the aims and objectives for the service, both in the short and longer-term. The Registered Manager regularly reviews and updates it, to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Young people and placing authorities clearly understand the aims and objectives of the service and feel very satisfied that managers and staff meet them at all times.

p.9

Leadership and management good

An independent visitor produces detailed reports from their monthly visits to the home. The Registered Manager diligently considers any recommendations for those reports and ensures that any necessary action is taken. The Registered Manager also has good systems in place to ensure that clear management oversight is in place for all health and safety requirements. This means that young people's holistic needs, including their environmental needs are met at all times.

p.9

Leadership and management good

The home is decorated and furnished to a very good standard internally and externally. Young people report being able to personalise their bedrooms and contributing to decisions about the décor of communal areas of the home. They also meet regularly with staff to consider menu planning and assist staff in maintaining the garden areas. This leads to young people feel very central to the care their receive and in taking pride in the home environment.

p.9

Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager ensures that there are sufficient staff on duty at all times to meet the needs of the young people. Staff receive very good quality supervision, support and training. This enables them to perform their duties with high levels of skill and competence. The Registered Manager has systems in place to identify the training needs of each member of the staff team. Such systems do not currently 10 of 11 clearly reflect when staff require refresher training for certain areas. All relevant staff have undertaken mandatory and other courses, and none are outside of timescale for refresher training currently. As such, there has been no adverse impact on the care provided to young people due to this shortfall.

p.9

Leadership and management good

Records relating to young people are detailed, clear and receive regular audits to ensure they remain accurate. Records would provide real meaning and value to young people, if they were to request access to them now or in the future.

p.10

Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager undertakes very detailed and comprehensive monitoring of all aspects of the care provided to young people. Reports produced from this monitoring reflect a detailed understanding as to how outcomes for young people have been improved as a result of the care and support provided.

p.10

Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager and staff team have forged very close and positive working relationships with relevant agencies and local neighbours. Agencies spoken with during this inspection all reported very high levels of satisfaction in how well the staff team and manager communicate and work with them. There is a real learning culture evident within the staff team. The Registered Manager has actively supported staff to undertake specific therapeutic training through an involved health professional recently. Skills learned from the training have been implemented and embedded into the work being done with all young people. This is leading to improved emotional and psychological well-being for all young people living in this home. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.10

Leadership and management good

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.11

Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11