Children's Home run by Knossington Grange School Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC436386 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Knossington Grange School Ltd Registered person address The Grange Therapeutic School 15-17 Somerby Road, Knossington OAKHAM Rutland LE15 8LY Responsible individual Paul Ivor Emmerson Registered manager James Michael Proctor Date of last inspection 23/09/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 12/01/2015

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Previous inspection sustained effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

At the last interim inspection, the home was judged to have sustained effectiveness. Two actions were set as a result of that inspection. The Registered Manager has implemented a new system for monitoring and obtaining any outstanding statutory review minutes. He has also ensured that each young person has an up-to-date care plan on file.

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Overall effectiveness

As a result of this inspection, a number of actions have been set. These relate to bullying, staff training, the children's guide for the home, checks on new staff members and educational attendance of some young people. None of these shortfalls have had an adverse impact on the young people.

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Overall effectiveness

This home provides very well planned and personalised care to young people. From their starting points, young people make real and positive progress in relation to their self-confidence and skills. Several young people have made successful transitions from the home, either to semi-independent living or a return to their birth families.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel able to express their wishes and feelings to the staff team, confident that this will influence the care they receive. Young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff team and respond well to the consistent care and support 3 of 12 offered to them over time.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people report feeling safe and believe that staff work hard to ensure that they are kept safe at all times. There has also been a significant reduction in the number of missing incidents for some young people. Placing authorities report high levels of satisfaction at the work done to change such concerning behaviours for young people over time. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and usually takes boys. The home is owned by an independent provider with a school site nearby; young people may also attend the school.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/09/2014 Interim sustained effectiveness 09/10/2013 Full good 08/04/2013 Interim good progress 17/10/2012 Full good

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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

4 (2001) ensure that the guide to the children's home includes a summary of the complaints procedure and the address of Ofsted (Regulation 4(3)(b)(c)) 09/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is monitoring of staff recruitment records and conduct of required checks for new workers in the home (Regulation 34(1) schedule 6(8)) 09/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that young people make use of educational facilities and that the routine of the home is organised so as to further young people's participation in education, including regular 09/02/2015 5 of 12 attendance at school. (Regulation 18(1)(a)(b))

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 ensure that staff in the home are trained to recognise and deal with any indications or incidents of bullying, to act proactively and intervene positively, engaging with those who bully as well as those who are bullied. (NMS 3.12) 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop an increased sense of self-worth and confidence during their time living in this home. They learn to manage any concerning behaviours more appropriately and form a clearer understanding of their personal backgrounds. One placing social worker stated how much one young person has progressed. They stated: ' the young person now accepts the reasons for being in care, which they previously struggled with. They have aspirations now for their future and feel extremely well supported by the staff team to achieve their goals.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy good health. Staff support them to ensure that their holistic health needs are met at all times. One family member praised the Registered Manager for seeking funding to enable a specialist health assessment to be undertaken for one young person. This reflects the commitment of managers and staff to meeting the needs of young people in a very timely manner. Young people's emotional wellbeing increases over time. One social worker commented on the marked improvements for one young person in relation to their emotional wellbeing. They noted the increased engagement and sense of security the young person had developed since moving to live at this home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people display confidence in being able to share their views and wishes with the staff team. They receive consistent care and support, which helps to increase their sense of worth and value. Young people also engage in a range of activities in the local and wider community. This increases their sense of inclusion and enables them to form friendships and attachments outside of the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people have educational provision in place and the attendance of most young people is good. There have been significant improvements in relation to the engagement of some young people with education since moving to this home. One social worker commented on one young person now having aspirations for their future, in wanting to secure qualifications and go to college. They stated that prior to moving to this home, the young person's engagement in education was very poor.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

For some young people, engagement in education has recently been problematic and resulted in a reduction in their attendance. Staff work proactively with education providers and placing authorities to address this, with regular meetings and discussions taking place. Young people who do not attend education on any given day, would benefit from more structure in the home during the school day.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

A particular strength of the staff team is in how well they prepare young people for their eventual move to independence and adult life. Young people learn the skills needed to make a successful transition from this home and increase in confidence. Several young people have moved from the home to semi-independent provisions or 7 of 12 returned to live with family members. Young people feel that managers and staff listen to their wishes and work with them to make their goals and dreams a reality. Some young people continue to be supported by the staff team following their move to independence, with the agreement of the placing authority.

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Quality of care good

Young people report feeling safe living in this home and that staff really care about them. Staff demonstrate a detailed awareness and understanding of the holistic needs of each young person and how they should be met. Behaviour management plans and risk assessments reflect the complex needs of each young person. Staff ensure that such plans and assessments receive regular review and updates. Over time, young people learn to manage their own concerning or potentially risky behaviours more positively. For some young people, this has led to a significant reduction in missing from care incidents and offending behaviours.

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Quality of care good

Young people feel they have a real voice in the running of this home. Staff actively encourage them to share their views, wishes and feelings. They regularly contribute to menu planning, meeting with staff to discuss what foods they would like and going shopping with staff to buy groceries. Staff also regularly seek their views on what activities they would like to do each week and plan for these to take place. Young people have been consulted about the décor of the home and have been able to personalise their own bedrooms.

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Quality of care good

There have been no reported complaints from young people or others since the last inspection. Clear systems are in place to consider any concerns or complaints made. Responses to previous complaints by the Registered Manager have been prompt and issues resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. Information on the complaints procedure is not sufficiently detailed in the young person's guide. More detail would enable young people to better understand how managers respond to formal complaints and the timescales involved.

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Quality of care good

Managers and all staff work very closely with parents and other family members to support improved outcomes for young people. Another key strength of the home is how well it supports and promotes contact for young people with family members and significant others. One social worker stated: ' in 25 years of social work, I have never come across such excellent support and promotion of contact for a young person.' Managers and staff work very closely with family members to ensure that positive and meaningful contact takes place regularly and support this practically and emotionally for all involved.

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Quality of care good

Staff demonstrate a detailed awareness of the needs of all young people and ensure that care and placement plans reflect their changing needs and how these will be met. From their starting points, young people increase in confidence, educational achievement and make successful moves to adult life. This work is done with full 8 of 12 consultation and support of family members, where appropriate. One parent stated: 'I could not fault the home or staff at any level, they are flawless in my eyes.' A family member for another young person stated: ' I would not want him to be living anywhere else at this time, everything about the home and what they do is brilliant.'

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Quality of care good

Staff support the diverse needs of each young person very well. The needs of young people with specific dietary requirements are very well met. One placing authority praised the staff team for how sensitively they have considered the cultural needs of one young person, ensuring that they are met in line with the young person's and their family member's wishes.

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Quality of care good

Staff support and encourage young people to attend and engage in education. They attend meetings and maintain close contact with placing authorities and family members. Young people report feeling supported by the staff team to do the very best they can. Some young people now have real aspirations for their futures. Staff accompany them to open days for possible college placements and support them to make plans for their futures. One social worker stated that: 'the care and support offered to the young person is absolutely excellent. I cannot fault the staff team at any level, they have engaged so well with me and other professionals, leading to this young person making real improvements and having aspirations now.'

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Quality of care good

Managers and staff have detailed and comprehensive systems in place to monitor and track the outcomes for all young people. This has enabled them to consider and work with young people to reduce any concerning behaviours over time. Staff have also worked with family members to ensure that there is consistency of care during contact visits for young people. Reward charts and guidance have been provided to some family members, to support them when a young person has staying contact. This further promotes continuity of care and supports young people to maintain the positive progress they have made in relation to their behaviours.

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Quality of care good

The home is located in a rural setting, close to a local town with ample resources and facilities. The home is furnished and decorated to a very good standard throughout. External alarm systems to outer doors and windows provides additional security for young people and staff. Any repair works needed receive prompt attention from a dedicated maintenance person for the home who further ensures that the home is consistently presented to a good standard.

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Quality of care good

Young people receive the holistic health services they need at all times. Records clearly reflect how their individual health needs will be met and includes detailed health care plans. Medication storage and administration is clear and safe, with all staff members being trained in this area.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

9 of 12 Young people report feeling very safe living in this home. They receive high levels of staff support within the home and when out in the community. Risk assessments clearly reflect areas of concern and potential triggers. Managers and staff ensure that following any incidents, risk assessments are reviewed and updated to reflect any changes. This promotes the safety of young people at all times.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Behaviour management plans clearly reflect the actual and potential triggers for each young person and how staff should respond to them. The plans are formulated following close consideration of the known history of each young person and through discussion with them. This leads to plans which accurately reflect each young person's needs and how best to respond to them. Regular reviews and updates take place of such plans, to ensure that they remain relevant to the young person's changing needs.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There has been a significant reduction in the number of missing incidents for all young people living in this home. One parent stated: ' My child used to be missing for days sometimes. Since moving to this home, they hardly ever go missing now, and only for an hour or so at most. This is a real improvement for them and I no longer have to worry about their safety.' The staff team has close and positive working relationships with the local police and ensure that missing from care protocols and procedures are fully considered and followed.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There have been very few recorded incidents of physical restraint since the last inspection. Staff have the necessary skills and training to respond to any incidents of concern with competence and confidence. Records clearly reflect the reasons for any use of restraint and include detailed discussions and debriefs with both young people and involved staff. Young people tend to respond to the consistent boundaries and structures, rather than staff having to use physical restraints. Young people are always offered medical attention following a restraint and their views and feelings clearly recorded. Managers have clear systems in place to monitor and oversee all incidents of restraint and to take necessary action to reduce the need for use of restraint.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There have been no reported incidents of bullying since the last inspection or for a considerable period of time. There is a system for recording any actual or potential bullying incidents. There is also a bullying policy. Records of previous incidents do not reflect what action managers or staff have taken to address and eradicate the reported bullying by young people. The bullying policy sets out guidance as to what actions should be taken, but these have not been translated into individual incident reports. This could lead to young people and staff feeling that bullying incidents are not fully considered and resolved. Staff have not received any specific training in relation to bullying. This would further enhance their skills and confidence in being able to respond to such concerning behaviours.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Investigations into allegations or suspicions of harm are handled very well by managers in this home. Prompt action has been taken, with close communication 10 of 12 with placing authorities and the local authority designated officer. Records clearly reflect all actions taken to consider and address any allegations made by young people. Appropriate support has been offered to both young people and staff in such situations.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff selection and recruitment processes are generally robust, with clear systems in place to ensure all relevant checks and processes are undertaken. The Registered Manager has failed to ensure that all required checks and records for some new workers in the home have been completed to a satisfactory level. There has been no adverse impact on young people as a result of this, but management monitoring systems need to be improved to ensure that all records and checks are accurate and clarified prior to staff commencing work in the home.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has been in post for over four years at this home. He has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to perform the role. There have been no reported complaints or concerns since the last inspection. The home has a good track record of dealing with such matters. The requirement and recommendation made at the last inspection have been fully addressed and met.

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Leadership and management good

The home has a clear and concise development plan. This sets out identified areas of change and improvement for the services provided by the home. It is reviewed by managers on a three-monthly basis. The Statement of Purpose for the home contains all required information. It has been reviewed and updated to reflect any changes and a copy sent to Ofsted. Placing authorities and young people reflect a clear understanding of aims, objectives and services provided by the home and satisfaction that these are met.

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Leadership and management good

An independent visitor undertakes monthly visits to the home. They ensure that they meet with young people and consider all records and documentation during their visits. Clear recommendations are made following each visit if appropriate, which the Registered Manager considers and responds to. The independent visitor reports and actions are then incorporated in the Registered Manager's own monthly monitoring of all aspects of the care provided to young people.

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Leadership and management good

The home is maintained to a very good standard, both internally and externally. The Registered Manager has clear systems in place to ensure all health and safety aspects of the home are considered and met. This includes regular checks and inspections of appliances and equipment and audits of medication storage and administration. Regular fire evacuation procedures are followed with staff and young people's full involvement.

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Leadership and management good

Staff receive a range of training and development opportunities. These enable them to perform their roles with competence and skill. Staff receive regular and 11 of 12 comprehensive supervision and annual appraisals. Staff report feeling very well supported by managers and colleagues at all times. One member of staff spoken with stated that this is the best home they have worked for in over seventeen years as a care worker. They feel they receive training, supervision and support to be an effective and confident member of the staff team.

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Leadership and management good

Records are clear and contain all necessary information relating to young people. Regular audits further ensure that all plans and risk assessments are kept up to date and relevant to meet all young people's needs. Records would provide real meaning for young people and a sense of the care they have received, if they were to request access to them now or in the future.

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Leadership and management good

Regular team meetings take place between managers and the staff team. Managers ensure that any relevant changes to legislation and practice developments are shared with staff. This promotes a real learning culture in the home and leads to the full engagement of staff members.

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Leadership and management good

The home has formed positive and close working relationships with other agencies and the local community. There have been no reported complaints or concerns from neighbours or the local community since the last inspection. The Registered Manager has ensured that the recommendation made at the last inspection has been fully considered and met.

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Leadership and management good

Managers are able to demonstrate the improvements made by young people during their time living in this home. Regular monitoring and amendments to behaviour management plans and other key documents and practices have led to positive outcomes for young people over time. Managers can demonstrate how the work undertaken by the staff team and other agencies with young people has improved their outcomes in relation to educational attendance, achievement and concerning behaviours. 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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