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

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

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Registered manager Martyn Jackson Date of last inspection 17/09/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 17/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people are making exceptional progress in every aspect of their lives. An independent reviewing officer who is working with a number of children and young people living in the home said: ‘There is a clear pattern of significant improvement. Young people’s behaviour significantly changes. Children and young people are now achieving in education, their communication, social and personal skills significantly improve. The outcomes for every one of them are outstanding.’ A parent said: ‘I am astounded by how far my child has come in the last year. It is a full 180 degree turnaround and it is incredible.’ Young people’s lives stabilise, they experience structure and they develop a range of life skills. As a result, their future life chances are significantly improved.

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This inspection

Young people benefit greatly from engaging in an extensive range of activities and exciting new experiences while living in this home. A parent said: ‘My child does lots of activities such as horse-riding, rock climbing, swimming, visiting museums and going to lots of different places. They are enjoying and experiencing so much.’ Children and young people enjoy using the home’s swimming pool and gym, and benefit from attending the homes sailing, photography and gardening clubs. They also enjoy regular social events in the local community. By engaging in a wide variety of activities, children and young people are assisted to make excellent progress emotionally, socially and physically. They make friends, they have fun, they develop self-confidence and they make a positive contribution to their community.

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This inspection

Transitions for children and young people moving into or out of the home are extremely well managed. An independent reviewing officer commented: ‘The pre- admission process is excellent.’ A parent said; ‘The admission ran really smoothly and the staff were brilliant. We are really happy. It was a faultless transition. They came to visit us and our child and they just seem to know what they are doing. They have a really good understanding of both children’s and parent’s needs.’ Careful 3 of 6 planning and preparation for placements ensures that children and young people have the best opportunity to successfully settle into the home and feel reassured and more secure in their new environment.

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This inspection

Young people continue to enjoy an excellent quality of care in this home. A parent said: ‘It is very impressive and the progress is testament to the skills and experience of the staff. Our child has transformed into a calm and happy child.’ Staff are knowledgeable about the needs of children and young people and this knowledge is enhanced by a multi-agency approach to meeting individual needs. Close liaison between care staff, educational staff, the homes psychology service, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy service mean that robust care plans are regularly monitored and reviewed to meet individual need. This ensures that consistent approaches to care are provided. This provides certainty for children and young people and impacts positively on their sense of security and stability.

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This inspection

Although a high proportion of children and young people living in this home have significant communication difficulties, their views are continually sought in a variety of creative ways in respect of the day-to-day running of the home and in respect of how the service can be improved further. Picture exchange communication systems (PECS), Makaton and alpha smart computers are used to communicate with children and young people. They express their views in student council meetings, through the use of questionnaires and through one-to-one sessions with key workers. Recently children and young people have chosen Alice in Wonderland as the next production to be performed in the home. Children and young people’s views have also contributed to the purchase of new toys and to the range of activities, which young people are able to enjoy while living at the home. Good levels and methods of communication with children and young people enable them to feel valued. This

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This inspection

helps raise their self-esteem and confidence.

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This inspection

The home is maintained to an exceptionally high standard. It provides a very comfortable and homely environment. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised and well equipped. A parent said: ‘My child’s bedroom is lovely. We chose the colours and it has a really homely feel.’ Young people’s achievements are celebrated in the home. Certificates, photographs and displays produced by children and young people whist participating in the homes culture club are displayed throughout the home. This reminds children and young people of their achievements and of some of the exciting, fun experiences, they have had. It also positively promotes diversity in the home. This helps children and young people feel valued. It helps improve their self-esteem and it also helps children and young people to develop insight and respect for different cultures.

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This inspection

Young people are better safeguarded as a result of living in this home. Two potential safeguarding concerns which have come to the attention of the Registered Manager since the last inspection have been dealt with comprehensively and in consultation with the Local Authority Designated Officer. Swift actions and thorough internal investigations into allegations and complaints, as well as the manager and staff 4 of 6 having a good understanding of safeguarding practice significantly reduces the risk of harm to children and young people.

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This inspection

The management of this home is very effective. Following the last inspection, actions were taken to improve the quality of service in response to three requirements and one recommendations made. All have been met and an enthusiastic management team continue to seek ways to improve the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people further.

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This inspection

Children and young people’s behaviour is exceptionally well managed. An independent reviewing officer said in respect of a young person: ‘They were extreme danger at home due to their behaviour. Here, behaviour management plans are excellent and the staff do everything to support children and young people. This young person’s behaviour is managed really well and so they are now so much safer.’ Since the last inspection, there has been an impressive and significant reduction in the use of physical intervention. New and improved recording systems, good management oversight and robust multi-agency monitoring of patterns and trends in behaviour have clearly been effective in improving practice in this area.

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This inspection

Improvements are also evident in relation to staff morale in the home. A member of staff said: ‘The manager and the deputy are fantastic and are really supportive.’ Another said: The training and support here has been the key to being able to do the job to a high standard.’ Improved staff morale and a cohesive and dedicated staff team ensure that young people are very well supported.

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This inspection

Quality assurance monitoring, both internally and externally has improved since the last inspection and is effective in identifying strengths as well as minor shortfalls. Regular consultation with children and young people, parents and stakeholders result in monitoring reports being more rigorous and effective in driving improvements. This and the home’s development plan are indicative of a service which strives to provide the highest standards of care for children and young people. 5 of 6

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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

17/09/2014 Full good 27/03/2014 Interim good progress 28/01/2014 Full outstanding 25/03/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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