Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kisimul Group Limited in Lincolnshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been changes to the management structure of this home since the last inspection. An experienced and established registered manager has left and a new manager is yet to be appointed. However, robust interim management arrangements have ensured that this significant change has not impacted on the functioning of the home or the high standards of care provided. A parent said: ‘I cannot fault the school and could not ask for a better service.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations of young people demonstrate that they are happy, settled and enjoy very positive relationships with staff. Feedback from parents and professionals highlight that they continue to make excellent progress and enjoy positive experiences. One parent said: ‘My son has come on leaps and bounds. He is now able to control his anger and has developed life skills. He goes out a lot, he enjoys shopping and continues to participate in lots of leisure activities.’ Another commented: ‘The quality of my son’s life has massively improved.’ A social worker said: ‘Living here has opened this young person’s world up again, emotionally, socially and educationally. It has transformed his life. He is so much happier and is now fulfilled.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Extremely well-coordinated working practices between care staff, in-house education staff and the in-house therapy team continue to be effective. Consequently, young people’s life experience and life chances improve. An independent reviewing officer said: ‘The multi-disciplinary approach is a real strength. The young person gets it all: structure and consistency, education, high levels of stimulation and socialisation. He is also working with a speech and language therapist and music therapist and the whole package has really helped him to develop and progress.’ A parent said: ‘The twenty four hour curriculum has been instrumental in helping my son progress. He is happy and healthy and has been given the opportunity to reach his full potential.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Very careful planning ensures that young people with very complex needs and who struggle with transitions settle quickly when they move into the home. Thorough and comprehensive pre-placement multidisciplinary assessments provide staff with clear and detailed information about how to meet individual complex needs, and the unique preferences and interests of each young person. As a result, the most recent young person admitted to the home settled quickly. She has enjoyed consistency of care, a range of social opportunities and a smooth transition into school. For this young person, this is significant progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Helping young people to develop life and social skills, and to become as independent as possible is a key feature of this service. Staff are very encouraging and maximise young people’s skills and opportunities in this area. One parent said: ‘My son is getting loads of social opportunities now. He goes for walks, swimming, out for meals and on trips out. He also goes shopping, chooses ingredients, prepares meals and cooks with support. He is really developing his life skills.’ Another commented: ‘My son has been prepared as well as he possibly could have for adulthood.’ Involvement in social and community activities and improved life skills help young people to feel valued, and improves their confidence and self- esteem. This assists them greatly when it is time to move on to their future adult placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of the specialist training they receive, staff knowledge and insight into the complex health and communication needs of young people is excellent. For example, staff receive training in relation to understanding autism, and other medical and communication difficulties. Both the speech and language team and the educational psychologist equip staff with the knowledge, skills and tools to communicate effectively with and support those they care for. In addition, the staff have high aspirations for young people and ensure that their difficulties or disabilities do not serve as a barrier to positive experiences. Rather, young people are encouraged and supported to participate in and enjoy a range of activities that are commensurate with their age and interests. A parent commented: ‘My son is being given the opportunity to be a typical teenager. Staff understand his needs very well. They recognise he is a teenager as well as a disabled young person and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

make sure he receives the same opportunities as his non-disabled peers do.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems in the home continue to be very good. Improvements to how medication practices are audited have reduced the risk of errors being made in this area. A requirement set in relation to this at the last inspection has been met. Patterns and trends in behaviour, as well as progress, are tracked on a monthly basis by the multidisciplinary team of professionals. This helps to ensure that young people continue both to receive high standards of care and to make excellent progress from their starting points.

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Information about this children's home

This school, registered as a children’s home, is one of three that are owned by the same private company. It provides placements of various lengths for young people with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour. The school provides residential accommodation for up to 39 young people. Education is provided in a separate building on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 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, work- based 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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