Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has improved in effectiveness since the last inspection. This is attributable to robust and detailed action plans being put in place to address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. The registered manager has left their position and interim management arrangements are being provided by a very competent and experienced registered manager from another service, which are leading to noticeable improvements. A new permanent manager has been appointed and will be taking up their position in the near future.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, there has been a clear focus on actively engaging and involving a wide range of agencies and professionals in planning and providing the support needed for young people living in this home. Regular meetings take place with police, education and health providers, to consider the known and potential risk factors and needs of each young person. This has led to improved education provisions being identified and sourced, and a much clearer and consistent working relationship between staff, managers and agencies. Young people know and understand their educational or training plans and have begun to work with staff to improve their attendance and engagement.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is an improved working relationship with the local police. One police officer stated: ‘We have noticed a reduction in missing from care and unauthorised absences recently. This is due to more proactive and close working between staff at the home and ourselves and in addressing specific issues as they arise. We will be attending team meetings to consider incident reporting to the police and can already see a much closer and proactive response from staff and improvements for young people.’ Missing from care independent return interviews now take place, with managers considering feedback from such interviews to inform their management oversight of the home. Local safeguarding children board procedures have also been updated, to reflect the arrangements in place for missing from care incidents and how staff should respond. Staff therefore, have a much clearer awareness of their roles and responsibilities as information has been shared with

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

them and records reflect them following policies and procedures more effectively. Staff and managers also work much closer with health colleagues now to consider the complex and specific needs of young people. A nurse for looked after children commented: ‘Communication and information sharing with our services is very good. The staff encourage young people to engage with us during regular visits and work with us to consider and address such needs as sexual and emotional health, sleep issues and health assessments.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers continue to consider and address supervision, training and support needs of staff. Active plans have led to increased staffing being provided for the home, with recruitment ongoing to secure more staff. Managers have plans in place to address the need to ensure that all staff receive regular formal supervision and the ability to attend training. One member of staff stated: ‘I feel very well supported by the interim manager and can see that things are being done to support us as a team.’ Changes have also been made to staff rotas, to take into consideration the needs of young people and staff at key times. Shift times have been changed in the evenings, to enable a higher staffing ratio at bedtimes. Staff report feeling very positive about such changes and in feeling that this has led to increased safety and support for both staff and young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Case records have been considered and improved since the last inspection. There is clear and positive evidence of care and placement plans being updated and reviewed. Risk assessments receive regular reviews and reflect the current and changing needs of young people. This is a significant improvement from the last inspection and reflects the much closer working relationships with involved agencies and professionals. Young people consider, comment and sign relevant documentation and those spoken with during this inspection understand their plans and how their needs will be met by staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A particular strength of the home relates to transition planning for young people. A recent discharge of one young person was handled with exceptional sensitivity and thoughtful planning. This included several introductory visits to the new accommodation provision and included the young person’s family members. This has led to a very successful transition and reflects staff commitment to ensuring that young people have a positive and well-planned move from this home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

New admissions have been planned and consideration is given to both the needs of young people moving into the home and those already living here. There is a clear focus on ensuring that staff can meet the needs of young people, supported by colleagues from health, education and police. There is also a clearer focus on ensuring that staff and managers can continue to meet the changing and complex needs of young people. A clinical psychologist stated: ‘I am working very closely with the staff to consider and assess the needs of young people in this home and if their complex needs can continue to be met here. Safety plans and risk assessments are continually updated and shared with me, reflecting the commitment of staff in providing safe and responsive care at all times.’ One young person stated: ‘Things are better than before and have calmed down a lot. Staff really try and help me and I can talk to them if I have any worries or

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A number of requirements and recommendations were made as a result of the last inspection. Managers have fully considered and addressed them, through a detailed action plan. Work continues to improve the services and care provided to young people, with managers accepting that this will take some time to fully achieve. No shortfalls were identified as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority owned and run children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2015 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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