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 last 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

The registered manager and staff have made significant improvements since the last inspection. These have resulted in a substantial reduction in risk-taking behaviours such as self-harm, use of ligatures, going missing from the home, climbing onto the roof of the garage, and criminal activities in the community. Robust and detailed risk assessments identify very early indicators of behaviour, allowing staff to intervene at a much earlier stage. Information about actions to take should behaviour escalate is also very clear and detailed. This meets the requirement made at the previous inspection. Young people are safer as a result. Young people become more aware of the risks that their behaviours present and begin to take responsibility for their own safety during activities in the community enabling a reduction in staff supervision when accessing activities such as the local youth club. This helps build confidence and improves social skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved evaluation of any incidents, including the use of physical intervention, enables staff to reflect on their responses, enabling learning and the development of practice. The number of incidents is already reducing as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Increased therapeutic intervention for young people, as well as therapists working alongside and supporting staff, is benefitting young people, enabling them to begin to build resilience and develop an understanding of their emotions. Young people continue to experience a number of changes such as new social workers and changes in education timetables. They deal with these changes and associated anxieties extremely well because of the support from staff and the resilience they develop.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in an extensive range of activities such as attending youth club, army cadets, fishing, ice skating, cinema, football and ten-pin bowling, this encourages social interaction and development of interpersonal skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care plans provide clarity on the placement aims and how to care effectively for the young people. Recording in the plans is of good quality, and up to date, meeting a previous recommendation. Information on access to independent advocates is clearly identified although the majority of young people choose not to access this service at present. The inclusion of the information meets the final recommendation made at the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several new staff have recently been appointed. Young people fully participate in the recruitment process, both by meeting candidates informally and interviewing them. They also now participate in the annual appraisals of the current staff team. This means young people play a key part in the recruitment and ongoing development of the staff team who care for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff work very effectively in partnership with others such as the therapy team, new social workers, and a new Looked After Children nurse. This provides good all round care for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring is of high quality. The independent visitor comes to the home each month to report on the care, welfare and progress of young people. The registered manager describes him as, ‘a real strength of this home’. He engages with young people, providing an alternative adult from the staff team if they need to discuss any issues or concerns. The registered manager completes a monthly review of the home, which is evaluative and provides him with an opportunity to reflect on the progress of young people and identify where improvements are required. He has also recently completed a five-year review of the outcomes of young people who have resided at this home, identifying and sharing with staff what has worked well and where things could have been done better. This enables staff to reflect positively on their achievements.

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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. The home provides care and accommodation for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/08/2016 Full Good 19/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Good 12/01/2015 Full Good 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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