Lincolnshire Secure Unit

This monitoring visit

At an interim inspection carried out on 24 and 25 February 2016 serious concerns were identified. A young person raised concerns about an incident of physical restraint. Examination of records and closed-circuit television (CCTV) confirmed that physical restraint was undertaken by staff in order to secure compliance with staff requests contrary to regulations. Monitoring by managers failed to identify that the criteria for the use of physical restraint had not been met and did not take necessary actions as a result. Ofsted issued compliance notices following this inspection.

p.2

This monitoring visit

This purpose of the monitoring visit carried out on 5 April 2016 was to evaluate whether the provider had met the requirements in relation to the compliance notices. The inspector found that the provider has taken robust action to address the shortfalls identified.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager carried out an investigation into the physical restraint incident that led to the issue of compliance notices. This references clearly to the action plan sent to Ofsted and identifies clear actions and learning points. Following the investigation, all staff have received formal supervision from their line manager to remind them of legal criteria for physical intervention. Staff meetings have also taken place that have reminded staff of this criteria. Relevant staff have undergone refresher training and any new restraint training or refresher courses now explicitly ensure staff understand the law relating to physical intervention.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Recording systems and processes have been reviewed and revised. Staff debriefings now contain a section that indicates whether the criteria for physical restraint was met. Young people’s debriefings have been revised to ascertain more information about how young people feel about any incident and whether they have any concerns or worries. A new recording process for managers has been developed and implemented. This shows the steps taken by managers in reviewing each incident, demonstrating who was involved in the review, what they have found and any actions needed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Quality assurance and monitoring processes have been reviewed and revised. An assistant manager now always undertakes an immediate initial check of all restraints and records before the task is passed to the learning and development officer for further analysis and to carry out debriefs with staff and young people. Any concerns are referred to the Registered Manager for further review. The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Business Manager now formally reviews restraint incidents every two months. The home provides the Board Manager with the manager’s quality assurance records prior to visiting the home. The Board Manager then randomly selects incidents for formal review on site. This involves evaluation of all relevant records and CCTV. A report on the findings is developed and provided to the home with any actions required. This process is positive and provides the home with independent external scrutiny of practices. The Registered

p.2

This monitoring visit

Manager advised that the LSCB Business Manager has experience of overseeing physical intervention incidents in custodial settings. However, the methods used by staff at the home have not been formally demonstrated to the Board Manager so they fully understand the specific techniques staff are trained in and can assess incidents with clear knowledge.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This secure children's home is managed by a local authority. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities. 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.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement; specifically, anyone who is involved in monitoring physical restraint, such as the Local Safeguarding Children Board Business Manager, should be fully briefed to understand the techniques and methods used so that monitoring activity is informed and robust. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. 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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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

p.6