Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the 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

At the last inspection of this home, significant improvements had been made to the care and support provided to young people. No shortfalls were identified and none has been identified as a result of this interim inspection. Young people continue to make positive and significant progress in all areas of their lives. Staff provide them with high quality care and support. The manager and deputy manager provide strong and robust leadership of the home and effective management oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people attend education and have 100% attendance. They present as highly motivated and have aspirational plans for their futures. There is a clear and commendable learning ethos in the home. As the manager stated: ‘We do not reward our young people for attending education, as we expect them to do this.’ Due to such clear expectations being in place, young people embrace their education and demonstrate a real desire to do well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of this home relates to its continued use of research-informed practice and models. The local authority employs the services of a social pedagogue who works with staff and managers and provides training. Young people present as fully conversant with such models and respond well to their use in the home. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of theoretical models and apply them consistently in the care and support they provide. Staff and managers complete detailed reflection and analysis of work undertaken with young people to consider its effectiveness and impact. Such innovative practices are leading to noticeable reductions in some concerning behaviours as young people develop more effective strategies for managing their emotions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have moved out of this home since the last inspection, but several new admissions have taken place. Managers have given full consideration to referral information, and careful matching has been undertaken. Young people have had the opportunity to visit the home to meet staff and other young people before moving in. Careful attention has been given by managers to ensuring that young people have educational provisions in place before they move to this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work positively with involved agencies to ensure that the holistic needs of all young people are known and met. Placing social workers receive regular updates on the progress made by young people and on any relevant incidents or events. Staff and managers challenge agencies to ensure that young people receive the services and support they need. There is clear evidence of effective planning for young people who will be moving to adult service provisions in the near future. This demonstrates that managers and staff have the best interests of young people at the centre of their practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered and deputy manager have improved monitoring systems. There is a clear focus on ensuring that staff feel well supported and able to meet the complex and changing needs of young people. Staff receive regular supervision and training. This further enhances their skills and competence as carers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No formal complaints have been received from young people or others in this home for a considerable period of time. Systems for responding to any complaints that may be received are comprehensive and clear. There have been no notifications made to the regulator since before the last inspection. Records considered during this inspection reflect a highly competent and skilled response to any incidents. The voice of young people is evident in records. They consider their behaviours with staff and work to resolve issues in a constructive and positive manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint is minimal. Staff use the skills learned from training and research to de-escalate situations wherever possible. Young people learn new strategies to manage any potentially concerning behaviours over time. Sanctions reflect a commitment by staff to enabling young people to take personal responsibility for their actions and behaviours. Their effectiveness is regularly reviewed and overseen by managers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

From their starting points, young people make excellent progress and enjoy experiences which they may not have had before. Staff support them to take part in a wide range of stimulating and exciting social activities. Staff place a strong emphasis on young people feeling engaged in the local and wider community. They encourage membership of local groups and clubs, further increasing their sense of belonging and self-worth. Contact with family members and significant others is promoted to a high level. Staff ensure that each young person has a memory box, with photos and details of their experiences and achievements during their time living in this home. This provides them with a very positive keepsake.

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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 up to seven children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/09/2016 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/11/2015 Full Requires improvement 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 that 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 whom 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 children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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