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

Good

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

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people present as being very happy living in this home. They form positive relationships with the staff team and increase in confidence and self-esteem over time because of the consistent care they receive.  The holistic health needs of young people are exceptionally well met. Staff work very closely and positively with a range of specialist health professionals to ensure the complex needs of each young person are identified and met. This is leading to improved psychological and emotional well-being for all young people living in the home. Involved agencies and family members consistently praise the staff team for how well they meet the health needs of young people.  Managers and staff work closely and very positively with a wide range of agencies and professionals. Feedback from such professionals is consistently positive, with excellent communication being viewed as a key strength of the staff team. Young people benefit from consistent care,

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The children's home provision is good because:

clearly applied boundaries, and an improved ability to manage their own concerning and risk-taking behaviours.  Incidents of young people going missing have reduced over time. Staff demonstrate a clear awareness of the procedures to be followed and make every effort to ensure the safe return of any missing young person. The responsible placing authorities have not routinely ensured that return interviews are carried out. This would enable young people to discuss any concerns they may have about the care provided to them by the staff team with an independent person.  Staff feel very well supported by managers. They receive regular supervision and comprehensive training and development opportunities. This leads to a staff team who are very competent, skilled and motivated to provide high quality care and support to young people.  Planning for new admissions and support to those young people who have moved to independence is excellent. All admissions to the home have

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The children's home provision is good because:

been planned exceptionally well, leading to excellent placement stability and improvements for young people, in a very short period.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that when a young person returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the young person to have an independent return home interview. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people. It is owned and run by an independent provider with a school site nearby, which some young people attend. The home provides care and accommodation for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/09/2014 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Good

Young people present as being very happy and settled at this home. They form very positive relationships with the staff team and feel able to discuss any issues or concerns they may have with them. A family member stated: ‘He is so much happier since he moved here. He is less feisty, calmer and if he is happy, then I am happy.’ A placing social worker also commented on the positive changes for one young person: ‘In a relatively short period of time, he has settled, incidents of aggression have reduced and I am very happy with how well he is doing, thanks to the staff team.’

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Good

Young people enjoy a wide range of social activities, which increases their confidence and self-esteem. They form peer friendships in the local area, which further increases their sense of self and integrates them into the community. The staff team celebrate the successes and achievements of all young people. This is evident from the number of photographs on display throughout the home. These show young people engaged in a variety of stimulating and fun activities. The staff team have also displayed photographs of young people who are due to move into this home. This attention to detail promotes a very welcoming feeling for new young people moving into the home. It assists them to make a smooth transition to the home and in feeling valued and special.

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Good

For some young people, this is the longest placement they have experienced in their care history. From their starting points, they have made significant progress in many areas of their lives. Education is in place for every young person and staff work tirelessly to promote the importance of education. Some young people have had very limited engagement and attendance with education over many years. The staff team ensure that detailed education plans are in place for those young people not able to attend formal education initially. They hold regular meetings with placing authorities and education providers and advocate for young people. An education engagement officer from one local authority commented: ‘This home stands out for me, as when I visit I can see that the staff know the young person very well, they care about him and want the best for him at all times. They really advocate for him and work very well with other agencies to try and secure the best

p.6

Good

The planning for new admissions to this home is very good. Managers and staff fully consider referrals and undertake very careful matching of needs. Recently, meetings have been held with specialist health professionals to consider a planned admission of a young person. The placing social worker for this young person commented: ‘The manager and staff have been awesome in planning for this move. They could not have done more to ensure a smooth transition for the young person. I am very impressed with them.’

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Good

Young people and their family members have been invited to visit the home before moving in. They receive detailed information about the home to assist them. Staff visit family members and young people prior to their move to this home to consider their needs and answer any questions they may have. This leads to young people very quickly settling in, forming meaningful and positive relationships with the staff team and feeling valued and included in all aspects of their care.

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Good

Young people have their health needs well met. They are all registered with appropriate health agencies and are encouraged and supported to keep appointments. The staff team is particularly efficient in considering the more complex health needs of young people. Managers routinely convene professionals meetings with health colleagues, to consider young people’s specific needs. Such meetings inform risk assessments, behaviour management plans and contact arrangements. This leads to consistency of care being provided and in young people receiving care and support from a staff team who understand their needs in detail and are able to support them to a very high and effective level.

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Good

Young people form friendships in the local area. Staff also support them to maintain contact with family members and significant others in their lives. This includes those young people whose homes are a distance from their placement. Staff support in arranging for family members to visit the home and spend quality time with young people. One family member stated;’ I only have one word for the home and the staff, which is brilliant. They always make us feel so welcome when we visit. They help us with activities and nothing is too much trouble for them.’

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Good

Young people feel very well supported in relation to contributing to reviews and meetings. The staff team work closely with young people, in order that they understand the plans for them and encourage them to contribute their wishes and feelings. One professional stated: ‘The staff team are excellent advocates for the young person. He does not want to attend meetings, but they always make sure that his wishes and views are fed into meetings and that he knows what is happening.’

p.7

Good

Another key strength of the home is in how well it plans for young people moving to independence and supporting them after they have left. One young person was supported to secure their own accommodation locally and still receives outreach support from the staff team on a daily basis. He states that this ongoing support has been invaluable and really helped him to succeed. When asked what it would have been like, if he had not had this support, he stated ‘very bad.’ Young people learn independence skills prior to moving on, which assist them to make successful transitions to independence. Staff have also supported one young person to access further training on independence skills since leaving this home. This reflects the total commitment of managers and staff in ensuring positive outcomes for young people.

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Good

Young people report feeling safe living in this home and that the staff really care about them. The staff team demonstrate a detailed and thorough understanding of the complex needs of each young person and how they can meet those needs. The staff are particularly diligent in relation to any missing incidents. They follow young people, liaise with local police and known associates and friends, in order to try and ensure a quick and safe return. They also keep in regular contact with family members, in order to reduce their anxieties. One parent stated: ‘The missing incidents have reduced massively since my son moved in. The staff go above and beyond what they need to do, in order to ensure he comes back safely and quickly. I couldn’t ask for them to do any more and I never feel he is not safe.’

p.8

Good

Staff ensure that risk assessments are kept up to date and reflect the changing needs of each young person. Risky behaviours are reducing for all young people. For some young people, the number of missing incidents has significantly reduced since they moved to this home. Staff always ensure that they meet with young people on their return to discuss reasons and understand triggers. The placing authority is required to ensure that return interviews are arranged and take place. This has not routinely been taking place for some young people who go missing. This would provide young people with an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have about the care they receive from the staff team at the home and for managers to then consider what action may need to be taken. There has been no adverse impact on young people to date as a result of this minor shortfall.

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Good

Involved agencies praise the staff team for the consistent manner in which they provide care to young people. One agency commented that young people know that staff will respond to them in a clear and consistent manner at all times. This ensures that any concerning or risky behaviours are closely monitored and that over time, the incidents of young people placing themselves or others at risk has reduced. There is also very little use of physical intervention in this home. This further reflects the competence of the staff in being able to de-escalate situations and use other tactics to very good effect. Young people learn how to manage their own feelings in more controlled and safe manner, supported by the staff team. The recruitment and selection of staff is robust and prevents unsuitable adults from working with vulnerable young people. Any allegations or suspicions of harm are dealt with very well. Managers follow relevant procedures and ensure that

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Good

documentation clearly reflects all action taken and outcomes. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of what action may be taken, in the event that an allegation was made about them. They report confidence in being supported by managers and in the role of the police and local authority designated officer.

p.9

Good

A very efficient and effective registered manager runs the home. He has the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to perform the role. Since the last inspection, there has been a change to the deputy manager within the home. A senior care worker within the home has taken this position. Staff report no adverse impact on the changes, reporting that it reflects the opportunities for staff to develop and in the commitment of staff to remain working in this home. Staff retention is very good and staff report feeling very well supported and appreciated by managers.

p.9

Good

Both staff and managers place the young people at the centre of their practice. They consult with them and seek their views on all aspects of how the home is run. This includes choosing the décor for their bedrooms and other rooms in the house, menu and activity planning and developments in the garden. One young person has taken an active interest in growing vegetables and plants in the garden. This is fully supported and encouraged by the entire staff team and promotes a sense of pride and belonging for young people.

p.9

Good

Managers regularly monitor and review the progress made by young people and have good systems in place to record such monitoring. They strive to ensure that young people have the best possible chances and improved outcomes. They call meetings to discuss young people’s progress, as well as robustly challenging agencies and placing authorities, if there are concerns which are or may impact on a young person. They record all actions taken clearly and concisely on young people’s case records. This provides a very good oversight of how the care they provide is gradually improving the outcomes for young people in all areas of their lives.

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Good

Stakeholders praise the staff team and managers for their excellent verbal and written communication skills. There is a very clear sense of close and positive multi- agency working present in this home, with staff being strong advocates for young people’s rights and needs. Staff are not afraid to challenge other agencies or professionals and actively ensure that drift does not occur for young people. This is evident in relation to meeting their educational needs in particular. One education worker praised the home for ensuring that meetings take place every six weeks to consider and progress the plans for one young person. This shows their commitment and dedication.

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Good

Staff feel very well supported in their roles. One member of staff stated:’ the support and supervision I get here is far better than previous residential settings I have worked in. We are all part of a team, with shared goals for the young people. I love coming into work and seeing the positive changes for young people.’

p.10

Good

The home’s statement of purpose is clear, detailed and understood by placing authorities. One placing social worker said that the statement of purpose was a factor in the authority approaching this home for a placement. The social worker felt that the home has more than met the stated ethos and objectives and is very pleased with how well the placement is going for the young person placed by them. The home looks and feels like a family home. It is decorated and furnished to a very high standard throughout. Young people have the opportunity to personalise their bedrooms, which they have done to a very high standard.

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Good

At the last inspection, three requirements and one recommendation were made, all of which have been fully met. The children’s guide now contains clear information for young people on how to make a complaint. Recruitment checks for new staff have been revised and updated and are robust. For those young people who are not able to attend formal education, there are clear education plans and timetables in place for them during the school day in the home. Staff have now undertaken training on bullying, leading to increased confidence and competence in this area.

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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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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