Lincolnshire Secure Unit

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the 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

A monitoring visit carried out on 5 April 2016 was to evaluate whether the provider had met the requirements in relation to the compliance notices issued in February 2016. The monitoring visit found that the issues had been addressed and that the monitoring of incidents of physical restraint is now more thorough.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This interim inspection also included enquiries relating to a complaint received from a parent of a young person resident in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

None of the issues raised were found to be substantiated. There is no evidence that young people have been locked up in their rooms for long periods. Staffing rosters, annual leave records and interviews with members of staff confirmed that members of staff are able to take planned leave and that staffing levels are being maintained. On two occasions in the past six months, unexpected staffing shortfalls caused by emergencies involving widespread sudden sickness and injury while on shift meant that the young people had been placed in their rooms for a maximum of three hours until the shortfalls had been rectified. Subsequent recruitment since those incidents has increased the staffing complement and has ensured that there are more members of staff to call on in the event of another emergency.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Members of staff advocate strongly on behalf of the young people, especially with regards to planning moves from the home. They are conscientious in reminding agencies of their obligations to plan moves in advance so that young people’s anxieties regarding these moves can be managed and lessened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is clear that members of staff are very aware of each young person’s unique needs and how these are to be met. Attention to detail is a strength and this means that careful planning ensures that the young people receive very well- constructed bespoke plans of care. As a result, young people continue to progress well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation was made at the last monitoring visit. This was in relation to ensuring that the representative from the Local Safeguarding Children Board better are acquainted with the methods and techniques of the form of restraint that members of staff use. Subsequently, the representative has attended training with the staff team and is now fully versed in the system used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other requirements made at the last interim inspection carried out in February have also been addressed. The monitoring of incidents of restraint is thorough and includes scrutiny by external professionals and managers who were not involved in the incident. This shows a willingness to be transparent, and enables and encourages reflective practice so that errors can be rectified and practice improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports written after visits undertaken, as required by regulation 44, are now sent to Ofsted more promptly. These also include the views of other stakeholders, such as placing social workers, young people and parents. This ensures that a cross- section of stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their opinions about how the home is run and the quality of care it provides.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents now have their views sought on a regular basis by the home. For example, they are given a formal opportunity after visits to comment on how they feel their child is being cared for. Additionally, members of staff responsible for monitoring each young person’s care plan play a vital role in contacting parents and keeping them up-to-date with their child’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are able to use a well-established system for raising any concerns about their care or their experience of living in the home. This enables them to record their concerns and to have a formal response from a manager. Each issue raised is clearly recorded and it is explained how it has been resolved to the satisfaction of the young person. This approach enables young people to feel confident that they can raise concerns and that their views are taken seriously.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a new system has been introduced to improve the recording of the administration of medication. This was put in place after monitoring by managers identified that the system that was being used was not always effective and that, there had been errors in recording. The introduction of the new system has ensured that there have been no errors, and members of staff report that it is clearer to use and easier to audit the amount of medication in stock.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On occasions, young people may need to be separated from their peers due to behaviours that are a risk to themselves or to others. This may involve periods of time where they are not in their rooms but are using communal areas, such as corridors or lounges, away from other young people. While the reasons for imposing these measures are clear, the recording of subsequent monitoring and observations lacks detail and does not make it clear that the criteria to continue to use the measure are still met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home operates a reward and privileges (RAP) system, which rewards young people for positive behaviour. Rewards such as later bedtimes and having extra electrical items, such as games consoles, in their rooms, can be earned. The system has a basic level that young people start on; however, the bedtimes attached to this begin at 8.30pm. Consequently, a 17-year-old may find that they are expected to go to their room as early as 8.30pm. The staff team has been asked to review the appropriateness of this timing for a young person of this age.

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Information about this children’s home

This secure children’s home is managed by a local authority. 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 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 persons under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2016 Interim Declined effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the matters set out in the regulation, and specifically, that managing away records are kept in line with the regulation, single separation and managing away records provide sufficient detail to justify the continued use of any incident and single separation. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(c)) 26/08/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The behaviour management strategy should be understood and applied at all times by staff and must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. This is with regard to reviewing bedtimes for older young people (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34).

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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

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Information about this inspection

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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.ofsted.gov.uk

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