Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Unique reference number SC042921 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Secure Unit

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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 09/09/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 10/03/2015

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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

At the last inspection 10 recommendations were made. Five recommendations related to the education provision and will be assessed at the next full inspection. All recommendations have been fully addressed. All items in the workshop are now secure at all times, staff training is monitored and plans are in place to meet training needs, action points are recorded in room search records, a full induction is undertaken with new staff and staff supervision is recorded as required.

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This inspection

There is a thorough admissions process for young people to introduce them to the home and help them settle in. An induction meeting is held with each young person to gain their views and feelings. An admission pack is completed that covers a range of expected matters and helps young people understand what the home is like and what to expect. An initial risk assessment and care plan is devised that identifies from background information any immediate and important issues to support staff to help keep young people safe and provide appropriate care.

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This inspection

Planning for transition and return to the community starts at the point of admission. Young people are well prepared for moving on from the home; for example approved mobility, which are visits to the local community, are used well to aid resettlement and transition. Those young people placed by the Youth Justice Board undertake group and individual work on a regular basis to address offending behaviour. A young person talked about what he had learned at the home and hoped to make positive changes when he moves on.

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This inspection

Young people have access to a well-established complaints process. Young people are able to post a form into a post box that manager's access. An advocacy service also visits the home regularly and provides young people with a further avenue to raise concerns and for support where required. There have been no formal complaints made since the last inspection. The home has a system called 'Issues' 3 of 6 where young people can raise minor concerns with staff and managers. There have been 12 'Issues' since the last inspection. However, recording is inconsistent. Some records are very clear and demonstrate how the matter has been resolved for young people and that they are satisfied with the outcome. Some records do not always show clearly that this is the case.

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This inspection

There are good relationships between staff and young people. Young people said they feel cared for and well supported. Young people feel safe at the home and raised no concerns.

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This inspection

There has been one child protection concern since the last inspection. Managers followed the home's procedure and ensured this was referred to the relevant agencies in a timely manner. The matter was dealt with quickly and brought to a conclusion. The matter was notified to Ofsted as required.

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This inspection

There have been incidents of physical intervention. All are closely monitored by managers and reviewed through the use of closed-circuit television to ensure practice is appropriate and in line with regulations and guidance. A robust record is kept of all incidents. Debriefs take place with young people and staff with someone not involved in the incident. Careful exploration and assessment of incidents leads to updated and reviewed behaviour management plans derived from any learning. These are quickly shared with staff and used effectively to improve practices. A new system has been introduced since the last inspection. Emergency Case Meetings are multi-disciplinary reviews, which are held when there is more than one physical restraint incident with a young person. Relevant professionals, such as a psychologist, child and adolescent mental health nurse, teachers, care staff, managers and placing authorities among others, come together to examine the

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This inspection

incidents for any triggers, patterns and to assess and examine behaviours. Clear action points are recorded, which are used to review and update Individual Crisis Management Plans for young people. These are then shared with all staff to help further support the young people. This is an excellent innovation.

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This inspection

Any incident involving single separation of a young person is clearly recorded showing the reasons for its use. Records demonstrate that the use of single separation is in line with government guidance. Managers closely monitor practices to ensure they are appropriate. Young people are checked regularly when in their rooms in accordance with their individual risk assessments. This helps to keep them safe and also ensures that as soon as possible, staff engage with young people to support them to return to the group.

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This inspection

The home has reviewed and updated the rewards and privileges system. This has been developed in conjunction with child and adolescent mental health services and young people who were consulted and fully involved. In addition to privileges earned through the new rewards system, young people can earn 'golden credits' that can be accumulated for the purchase of items such as magazines or a take away meal. The system has only been in operation for three weeks and remains under review, but 4 of 6 the impact to date has shown a reduction in damage to property. Young people think the system is fair and as new, it is a regular topic of conversation.

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This inspection

Intervention workers have been appointed since the since last inspection. Each worker is allocated three young people and this provides the opportunity through one-to-one weekly sessions to build relationships and consistency in intervention work. Intervention workers help to deliver offending behaviour programmes to young people placed by the Youth Justice Board and to support positive behaviour development generally with young people.

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This inspection

The secure unit is now a member of the East Midlands Resettlement Consortium. The aim of the consortium is for managers and staff from secure children's homes, Secure Training Centre's and Young Offender Institutions to attend meetings with other partners to look at support for young people leaving secure estate establishments. The meetings raise and try to address issues and barriers to the resettlement of young people. This work aims to improve links and collaborative working and improve access to services important in supporting young people on their return to the community. 5 of 6

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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.

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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 under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/09/2014 Full good 30/01/2014 Full outstanding 31/07/2013 Full good 08/01/2013 Interim good progress

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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 children receive prompt feedback on any concerns or complaints raised and are kept informed of progress; specifically, ensure that records of 'Issues' show clearly the outcome, any action points and whether the young person was satisfied with the outcome. (NMS 1.6) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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