Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited 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 judges that it has improved effectiveness

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The experiences of young people have noticeably improved since the last inspection. From their starting points, they make excellent progress in all areas of their lives. In terms of education, their attendance and engagement are excellent. All young people have suitable educational provisions in place and have 100% attendance rates. One young person has made the transition from school to college since the last inspection and is doing extremely well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn to manage any worrying or potentially risky behaviours with the support and guidance of staff. They respond very well to the frequent and focused key-work sessions that are held with them. They trust the staff team and managers and feel able to share any concerns or issues with them openly. This contributes to the fact that no complaints have been made and only one physical restraint has been used since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of this home relates to how well staff and managers work with partner agencies. Such close and proactive partnership working is clearly leading to young people making excellent progress and feeling very well supported. One young person, when asked their views on living at the home, stated: ‘Awesome, epic and fantastic.’ One placing social worker commented: ‘The communication is excellent and the best I have experienced from an independent residential home.’ This opinion is also shared by staff at a local college, where one young person attends. They stated: ‘They have worked with us from the start, providing honest information regarding the young person. Alongside this, they have offered support and advice on how best to support him, to ensure that we are all working from the same perspective and, where possible, with the same strategies to ensure consistent support for the young person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people grow in confidence and develop an improved sense of personal worth. This is due to the dedicated staff team and the excellent work that is done to support young people’s emotional well-being. Staff have regular access to an independent consultant, who oversees the therapeutic intervention models used in the home. Detailed analysis of each young person’s needs is undertaken by staff and managers. Staff and managers monitor and track the progress made by each young person and have excellent recording and monitoring systems in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A member of staff has embarked on life story work with one young person, having undertaken relevant training. Such work is very carefully planned and tailored to the needs of the young person. It is undertaken at the young person’s pace and includes regular sessions to discuss memories from their past and the impact that those memories have on their current life. The young person chooses what aspects of their life experiences they wish to consider and they feel fully engaged in the process. Such excellent work will greatly assist the young person to make sense of their past and to develop resilience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have also undertaken some excellent work with young people on preparing them for independence. The pathway plan for one young person is frequently updated so that it remains a meaningful document. Staff work closely with the placing social worker to consider actions and targets; regular reviews of these actions and targets are carried out. Young people are taught new skills in a sensitive manner. Staff undertake analysis of certain aspects of young people’s lives, such as how much time a young person spends on their own in the home. This information is assisting social workers to identify which adult service support and accommodation will best meet one young person’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is held in very high regard by both the staff team and other professionals and agencies. He is extremely child focused in his practice and constantly strives to ensure that young people have the best possible experiences and outcomes. He has excellent systems in place for monitoring the support and care that is provided by staff. He uses independent visitor reports and recommendations to continually improve the quality of care that is provided by the home. There is a strong and commendable learning ethos evident in this home. The manager is keen for staff to develop their professional skills and competencies. He finds creative ways to support staff to develop their knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel central to the care and support they receive. Staff fully support them to contribute to their reviews and other meetings. One young person routinely makes a PowerPoint presentation for his looked after reviews. Such imaginative practices increase young people’s sense of being valued and listened to by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the last inspection. Both have been fully met. There has been one allegation made by a young person since the last inspection about a member of staff. Records reflect a very prompt and appropriate response from the manager. This included discussion with all relevant professionals and agencies. No shortfalls have been identified during this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home, which is part of a small privately owned organisation, provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/04/2016 Full Good 12/01/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 28/04/2015 Full Good 24/02/2015 Interim Declined in 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 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 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

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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