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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have made significant progress in all areas of their lives since the last inspection. A particular area of progress relates to their attendance and engagement in education. Staff have supported them to overcome issues and difficulties from before they moved to live at this home. Young people now all attend local education provisions and their attendance is excellent. One teacher stated: ‘The communication and close working with us by the staff at the home are excellent and support the young person to engage and do well.’ A family member for one young person commented: ‘The progress he has made in relation to his education is amazing. He never used to attend or engage. He now goes every day and his reading skills have significantly improved. I cannot praise the staff highly enough for what they have done for him since he moved there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff also support young people to overcome anxieties they have in relation to meeting their health needs. For some young people, this has included putting in place specialist dental services and supporting them in attending and receiving treatment. Staff sensitively and carefully consider the emotional needs of young people and provide practical and emotional support to meet their health needs. This has led to much improved oral hygiene and in young people overcoming significant fears. There is also very close and proactive working with a range of health care providers. Multi-agency working is central to the care provided by the staff team in this home. Young people receive the care and support they need in a very timely manner and learn the importance of considering and meeting their holistic health care needs over time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Concerning and potentially risky behaviours receive very careful and considered attention and support. Professionals and family members all report significant improvements and a reduction in such concerning behaviours. One placing social worker commented: ‘I could not ask for a better resource for my young person. He has blossomed since he moved to this home and formed positive attachments. He responds well to the reward system in place and I cannot fault the staff or managers for what they have done.’ A family member for another young person stated: ‘The progress he has made is unbelievable. I cannot fault the home or staff and managers at all. The improvements in him have been beyond belief in all areas. He has been in a number of children’s homes before and this one tops the lot.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers fully consider all new referrals for admissions to the home and have only accepted planned admissions since the last inspection. They take considerable time and effort to gain information from placing authorities and other involved agencies. Matching of needs of new admissions and those young people already resident in the home is seen as crucial. Such attention to detail has led to very successful placements being made and young people’s outcomes improving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another key strength of this home is in relation to the outreach support it has been able to provide for some young people and their families. Placing authorities have agreed funding to support those who return home to live with family members. This demonstrates the very positive relationships which staff from with young people and their families. It further demonstrates the commitment of managers and staff in supporting them to return home in a planned and successful manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person who has moved on from this home since the last inspection stated in a letter to the managers and staff: ‘I just wanted to thank you for everything you all have done for me and every step you all helped me through. I was grateful. Thank you for all of your efforts, it helped me out.’ This reflects the very positive attachments that young people form with staff and their ability to reflect on how the support of staff and managers has led to improvements in their lives. Managers have very detailed and robust systems to monitor and track all aspects of the care provided to young people. Staff report feeling very well supported and encouraged to take on lead roles and develop their skills and expertise. One member of staff stated: ‘I love my job and in seeing the progress young people make, it is so rewarding.’ Young people clearly understand the complaints procedures of the home and report confidence in being able to raise any concerns or issues they may have.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers respond promptly to any concerns raised and ensure that young people feel listened to and are satisfied with how their concerns have been dealt with. There have been very few significant incidents since the last inspection, and the use of physical restraint is minimal. Managers have made relevant notifications to relevant agencies in a timely and appropriate manner. Young people report feeling very safe living in this home and protected from harm by staff. Family members, placing authorities and other involved agencies also consistently report having no concerns about the safety or welfare of young people. This reflects the careful planning and regular review of all plans and risk assessments, and the excellent multi-agency working. One recommendation was made at the last inspection. Managers have worked closely with the police and placing authorities to ensure that when young people go missing from care, they are provided with an opportunity to have an

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

independent return home interview. No shortfalls have been identified as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people. It is owned and run by an independent provider, and there is 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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/09/2014 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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