Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that meet the requirements for outstanding.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people have extremely positive experiences and make significant progress.  Managers and staff are skilled, experienced, proactive, dynamic and child centred and show a determination to deliver the best possible outcomes for young people.  There is excellent partnership working between staff and relevant professionals, services and authorities. This delivers positive outcomes and supports safe care.  There are strong links with the local authority, the local safeguarding children board, police and stakeholders that contributes to the safety and security of young people.  Young people’s views are considered and acted upon with appropriate consideration in all aspects of their care and the running of the home.

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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

 make best use of information from internal monitoring; specifically, better collect and analyse data relating to incidents of self-harm to demonstrate the impact of effective practice. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 55, Paragraph 10.24)

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Information about this children's home

This secure children's home is managed by a local authority. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict young people's liberty. The children's home can accommodate up to 12 young people, who are aged between 10 and 17 years. It provides for up to 11 young people placed by the Youth Justice Board and one place for young people accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities. Admission of any young person under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

The impact of living in this home has a very positive effect on young people and for many, is life changing. A strength is the relationships forged by staff with young people, who live in an environment that is supportive and safe. Creating relationships that are strong enough to resist challenge and periods of stress, disruption and rejection is an area of strength for a fully committed, child centred and experienced staff team. This reflects the home’s ethos, culture and working practices over the years. Young people have time and space to consider the reasons why they are placed in secure accommodation, which allows them to reflect, explore issues and plan for their future. Their negative views of the world are challenged in a non-threatening and non-judgemental way that helps them make significant changes to their previous lifestyle. For example, one young person who is due for release stated when reflecting on the journey they have experienced, ‘I was worried at first and

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Outstanding

there are times I have found it difficult, but staff are great. They stick by you and are supportive even if you have been horrible to them. I am looking forward to leaving and want to leave, but part of me does not want to leave the staff.’ Parents and families have excellent relationships with staff who provide them with reassurance and support. One parent summed this up by saying, ‘All staff have really looked after her. They made the worrying at home a lot better. Staff have been able to put us at ease. Thank you.’ Another stated, `Staff are absolutely brilliant. They listened to what we had to say and worked with us to give him a consistency of care.’ Young people make significant progress. Case management, planning and transition are well co-ordinated, with clear and effective plans, assessments of risk and strategies which identify and address individual needs. Consultation with young people about their plans is excellent allowing them to reflect, evaluate and

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Outstanding

have positive input into regular reviews. This gives them ownership and a greater commitment to planning for their future.

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Outstanding

Listening to and acting on the views expressed by young people is an area of strength. Staff respond positively to young people. For example, a young person who was experiencing a particularly challenging time, told staff they did not like being in their room alone when single separation was necessary, but preferred to be in a corridor. Staff discussed this, agreed and changed the young person’s behaviour management plan. This has resulted in a decrease of challenging behaviour. The home is constantly reviewing and evaluating how it works with young people and looking for ways to improve. For example, since the previous inspection, a specific team of staff have been tasked to take on the responsibility of providing the individual intervention work that takes place. This has resulted in improved planning, delivery and evaluation of the interventions including offending behaviour programmes. Consulting young people and involving them fully through evaluation

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Outstanding

of the programmes ensures interventions are targeted more effectively, so individual needs are addressed.

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Outstanding

Positive communication and sharing of information between different staff groups contributes effectively to the high standard of care received by young people. For example, care, catering and health staff liaise well, sharing ideas and skills which are improving the daily lives and experiences of young people. This liaison has created more opportunities for consultation resulting in young people having a greater input into health planning, more opportunities to learn and gaining experience in planning and cooking meals.

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Outstanding

The arrangements to promote young people’s health remain outstanding. A full- time child and adolescent mental health nurse works effectively with the professionals tasked to look after young people’s daily health needs. Specialist input is available when required. Health promotion remains strong, encouraging young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. For example, with healthy eating, fitness, sexual health, drugs, alcohol and smoking cessation. As a result, young people’s physical, emotional and psychological health needs are being well met. Young people benefit from the active mobility programmes that support resettlement and reintegration back into the community. They are individualised to meet need and allow them to share community experiences. The programme overlaps with the excellent range of activities young people have access to. This is another positive example of the joined up and co-ordinated response to meeting

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Outstanding

their needs. For example, four young people recently completed a high quality project about the First World War. This was then linked into their mobility programme with young people giving a presentation of their project to a group of residents in a local care home for the elderly. This gave the residents a stimulating experience, reliving their own memories, as well as being able to welcome a group of young people into their home. For young people, it proved to be a learning curve regarding old age and in respecting old age.

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Outstanding

Creative activity programmes during education holidays has been a feature of this home noted at previous inspections. There is an excellent balance in bringing people into the home to share their particular skills with young people, along with utilising the individual talents of staff. This year the home has embedded a number of activities which allow young people to attain accreditation and certification. For example, in photography, personal social and health education, various crafts and sporting activities. This gives young people further opportunities to develop skills and interests and celebrate in their achievements.

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Outstanding

The building is in an excellent condition which is conducive to the secure care of young people. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised to suit their choices, tastes and interests. Although some community areas on first impressions appeared to be somewhat plain, managers are aware of this and have commenced a programme to address this with young people’s input and ideas.

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Outstanding

Young people feel safe. There have been no noted incidents of bullying and young people are confident in staff supporting them to stay safe.

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Outstanding

There are clear and robust arrangements for safeguarding young people. There has been one incident of a child protection nature since the last inspection. This matter has been dealt with effectively in line with the home’s procedures and promptly referred to the local authority and other relevant professionals and agencies. Records are kept and show the action taken helps to safeguard young people.

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Outstanding

There are strong links with the local authority, local authority designated officer (LADO) and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). The Registered Manager is a full member of the Board and an assistant manager is a member of a sub-committee. The LSCB manager has open communication with the home and visits the home quarterly providing independent oversight and assessment of the home’s physical restraint practices.

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Outstanding

There have been no incidents of absconding since the last inspection. A procedure is in place and protocol devised by the local authority and local police force that is up to date and accessible. Staff are aware of their role and responsibilities in helping to keep young people safe should an incident occur.

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Outstanding

On admission to the home, all young people have their vulnerability and risk of suicide and self-harm robustly assessed. Incidents of self-harm are low. Integrated and collaborative working with the on-site child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHs) ensures young people’s needs are fully met. Plans are developed and regularly reviewed using a multi-disciplinary approach and implemented by staff to help keep young people safe. There is evidence that integrated, proactive and planned work positively impacts and improves young people’s safety and wellbeing. Development and analysis of data would further benefit this excellent work.

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Outstanding

There is a risk-led approach to all searching activity. Records are kept of searches carried out of communal areas and bedrooms along with the reasons, anything found and actions taken to improve safety and security. The usual approach to searching of young people is a pat down, use of an electronic wand and/or walk- through metal detector. ‘Full searches’ of young people are rare with only two occurring since the last inspection. A full search involves young people taking off their outer clothing and is always carried out by staff of the same gender. Any search of this type is always authorised by a senior manager with records kept of the rationale and the outcome. Young people are able to add their comments and/or sign the record.

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Outstanding

Young people are effectively supported to improve their behaviour and to develop positive social skills. The home has a calm and positive feel with staff seen to have positive, trusting and effective relationships with young people who confirmed this to be the case. Young people have been involved in the development of the new incentive scheme called Rewards and Privileges (RAP). RAP is founded on young people being in control of setting their own personal objectives and targets with staff help and support if needed. The scheme is therefore very much tailored to young people’s individualised needs. RAP enables young people to achieve rewards for good behaviour. It also has the facility for staff to give additional rewards of ‘gold bars’ for a young person that has accomplished or achieved something positive that deserves instant recognition. Since the introduction of the RAP scheme, managers have demonstrated that its impact has been very positive.

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Outstanding

There has been a significant improvement in young people’s behaviour with a reduction in the use of sanctions, single separation and physical intervention.

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Outstanding

Staff have undertaken training to develop understanding of the Government’s ‘Prevent Strategy’. Commendably, the Registered Manager has forged a good working relationship with the relevant lead professional in the local police force so interventions can be undertaken if required or appropriate.

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Outstanding

Physical restraint is used appropriately and in line with regulations and the home’s procedures. Managers ensure that after any incident a rigorous process follows. This includes, use of closed-circuit television, assessment of recording, debriefing staff and young people followed by a multi-disciplinary meeting. The process ensures that all the aforementioned information is brought together and used to learn what went well and what needs to be changed moving forward to better support young people. Plans are then updated with new strategies and implemented, with young people’s views being a key factor. The impact of RAP in line with a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach, ensures that professionals, alongside constructive use of young people’s views and opinions supports excellent practice that has a positive impact evidencing reduction in the use of physical restraint. Single separation is used appropriately and in line with government guidance.

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Outstanding

Records are kept of all incidents alongside observations of young people in line with their risk assessments to support them to stay safe. There is close monitoring by managers of any use of single separation to ensure it is justified and appropriate. The use of single separation has reduced since the last inspection.

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Outstanding

Since the introduction of the RAP scheme and through the use of restorative approaches, sanctions have reduced. Any sanction used is fully recorded and monitored by managers. The use is appropriate and relevant to the misdemeanour. The home has recently received the Restorative Service Quality Mark, which is recognition of the work they undertake with young people. To achieve the award the home provided evidence and was formally assessed about the work they undertake and the impact on young people. Records are written with young people and contain their views and comments. These provide evidence of a positive approach that works alongside behaviour management strategies to support young people to develop understanding, coping strategies, repair relationships and develop positive social skills.

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Outstanding

The Registered Manager and the management team are dynamic. They are highly motivated and innovative. They enthusiastically drive a strong, child-focused approach to managing the home. They have high expectations of staff and are extremely successful in providing young people with a positive experience that improves their future prospects and outcomes. An area for improvement identified at the last inspection has been fully addressed. This related to low-level complaints called ‘issues’, and records now show clearly the outcomes and that young people are satisfied. Leadership and management of this home is outstanding because managers reflect on and evaluate their practice to strive for better outcomes for young people.

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Outstanding

Young people are supported by an experienced, imaginative and stable core group of staff. Young people are provided with continuity and consistency of care in line with their placement plans. Appropriate staffing levels ensures highly effective responses to risk and the complex and changing needs of the young people. The staff group pride themselves on being a professional team who form respectful and meaningful relationships with young people. Staff members feel their positive relationships have significantly helped young people to achieve.

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Outstanding

All staff are provided with comprehensive and extensive training opportunities. Their training needs are reviewed at staff meetings and in formal supervision. Their professional development is a priority for managers who support and encourage them to undertake specialist training and/or enhanced qualifications. For example, staff who are not in a management position are encouraged to undertake management training to enhance their skills and knowledge with consideration to succession planning. As a result, staff say they feel valued and well supported. One staff member said, ‘The training opportunities available are exceptional. What I don’t know, someone else does. I have learnt so much from the training that the skills I have learned are now second nature. We believe we make a real difference in the young people’s lives.’ This positive team ethos and coherent approach ensures that young people make outstanding progress.

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Outstanding

Managers pride themselves on ensuring that monitoring of the home is robust, frequent and meaningful to improve outcomes for young people. As a result, systems in place enable staff and young people to reflect on significant events and help them to learn to develop new skills. Manager’s oversight is effective and ensures care plans, risks assessments and behaviour support plans reflect the present needs of young people. As a result, young people make exceptional progress in all aspects of their lives.

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Outstanding

The Statement of Purpose reflects the practice of the home. The document ensures that placing authorities and parents are clear about what the home provides. Strong advocacy is provided by staff and ensures young people understand their rights and responsibilities. Young people feel confident in talking to staff if they wish to raise any concerns they may have. They are certain that their view’s wishes and feelings are taken seriously and acted upon.

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Outstanding

Staff receive good quality supervision that they value. Weekly team meetings and informal discussions are held and contribute to the feeling that their views and skills are unquestionably appreciated. A member of staff said, ‘The management here are excellent; they are very supportive, they are aware of what is happening and who is who. They are exceptionally approachable. Yes, I know these are all the ‘buzz words’ but I have to say, it is the truth.’ The Registered Manager has been in post a number of years. He is an accomplished leader who engages and develops excellent relationships with a host of professionals both within the home and local community. He has successfully empowered the management and care teams to engage confidently with independent reviewing officers, education, police, child and adolescent mental health services and other relevant agencies and services that are involved with young people. In turn, this has encouraged young people to build healthy and

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Outstanding

successful relationships with key professionals they may have been reluctant and resistant to in the past. Judgement grade

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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