Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

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

Young people continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives during their time living at this home. From their starting points, young people develop skills and confidence which will greatly assist them in later life. The staff team provides extremely high levels of care and support, tailored to each young person’s needs. Managers provide excellent leadership and support to staff and young people at all times.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strong emphasis is placed on the value of education, training and employment in this home by staff and managers. All young people have provisions in place and engage well. Historically for some young people, their engagement and attendance in education has been very poor. Since moving to this home, they have secured suitable educational provisions and made noticeable and positive progress. Some young people have successfully secured places on further education courses for this year. Some have also secured paid part-time work in the local area. This reflects their engagement with the local community and in forming a positive work ethic.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people also take part in a wide range of social activities and groups. Two young people are currently involved in the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme. One young person represents young people looked after at a local Children in Care forum. Another is undertaking work experience with the local police. Young people feel valued and display a real interest in learning new skills and in being involved with their local community. Such involvement will really benefit their transition to adult life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers continue to use research-informed practice to support the work they do with young people. Social pedagogy is now fully embedded in the home and used in direct work with young people. Records reflect an extensive amount of work being done with such models to support young people’s complex needs. Young people fully engage in such work and display a detailed understanding of the models used and the positive impact they have on their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn how to manage any concerning or potentially risky behaviours in a positive and constructive manner, with staff support. One young person reflected on their previous concerning behaviours and the significant improvements he has made since moving to this home. When asked how the improvements had been achieved, he stated: ‘It is down to the support of the staff here and the boundaries they have put in place for me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have a very close and positive working relationship with other agencies, particularly local police. A missing person’s officer regularly visits the home and meets with young people. Regular risk assessment meetings take place with all relevant involved agencies to consider the current and changing needs of young people living in the home. This provides them with consistent care and enables any necessary changes to be made to their plans and risk assessments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people go missing from care, staff show great diligence and skill in their responses. They work closely with placing social workers, family members and police to ensure the safe return of young people. They ensure that independent return interviews take place with young people, to inform risk assessments and care plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, no shortfalls were identified. Three shortfalls have been identified as a result of this inspection. Young people feel able to report any concerns or issues they may have to staff and managers. They complete comments forms to reflect their concerns. Some of those considered during this inspection do not reflect a sufficient response by managers to the concerns raised by young people. They have not been recorded as complaints or investigated fully. Young people report feeling listened to at all times, but records do not sufficiently reflect the actions taken by managers to resolve any concerns raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been occasional reports by some young people of bullying towards them by another young person in the home. The manager has clear systems in place to record and respond to such concerns, but these have not been routinely followed up. It is therefore not clear as to how any concerning and potentially bullying behaviours of young people have been responded to and eradicated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor comes to the home each month and produces a detailed report following each visit. The visitor comments in her reports as to what needs to happen when any issues or concerns are noted, but does not clearly recommend actions the manager needs to consider taking. The registered manager fully considers the reports and all comments made, but there is a need for the independent visitor to be more specific and clear in her reports on proposed actions. This will also enable the manager to more clearly reflect their responses to any recommended actions from the independent visitor from each report.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and run by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/07/2016 Full Outstanding 05/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/09/2015 Full Good 03/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3)) 03/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

Recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44(5)) 03/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11(2)(b)) 03/04/2017

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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 0300 123 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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