Vinney Green Secure Unit

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people continue to make very good progress following their admission to the home. They engage in a series of planned, individualised programmes to address their behaviour and the issues that brought them to live in a secure setting. They benefit from excellent mobility programmes (visits out of the home) to prepare them for their return to the community. For one young person, the planned increase in mobility has helped develop his confidence and skills, resulting in successfully obtaining a college placement and apprenticeship. One young person has made excellent progress in developing confidence and improving his self- esteem, through group and social activities and attending vocational courses. He is now a unit representative, canvassing the views of others and bringing their opinions to the meetings. He has also recently taken part in interviews for new members of staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Resettlement work begins early, with staff engaging with a range of professionals to ensure as smooth a transition to the community as possible. Where partnerships have been less effective, a meeting of all involved has provided an opportunity to reflect and ensure that improvements are made. These are well-embedded practices which ensure, as far as possible, that the home advocates on behalf of young people and keeps planning on track.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff have worked exceptionally well with a range of health professionals and specialist clinics to help meet the complex health and emotional needs of young people. This has increased staff knowledge and understanding of particular areas of health and well-being, and the home has consolidated this learning and further developed practice their policy as a result.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A new method of measuring outcomes for young people using questionnaires clearly identifies the progress that young people make from admission to leaving the home. Regular review and analysis of these questionnaires identifies the positive impact that programmes have. This work informs the delivery of future packages and methods of interventions with young people to ensure the best possible outcomes for them. Improved induction and care plan formats provide more information, including about young people’s identity, culture and religion that assists staff with young people’s care. It also includes the views of the young person. Plans are presented in an easier-to-read format, which encourages young people to read them and have a more active participation in decisions about their life. This promotes young people’s welfare and well-being.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers continue to review the service and care provided to young people and continually aim for improvements. This is evident in the action taken to address the three statutory requirements and three recommendations made at the last inspection in September 2016. All requirements and recommendations have been met.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

At the last inspection, managers were not consistently seeking the views of young people prior to discharge and resettlement. This has been addressed. Exit interviews with young people provide detailed material to inform the manager’s review of care and enable the service to improve. Managers ensure good communication between the independent visitor and the advocate, promoting the sharing of appropriate information. This has improved, and both these visitors regularly seek the views and opinions of young people and ensure that managers and staff are aware of any concerns or positive feedback.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Complaints are investigated promptly, and full feedback is shared with young people. This ensures that they feel that their concerns are taken seriously and that their views on the outcome are recorded.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The recording of measures of control, including sanctions and restrictive physical intervention, has been revised, and now provides a more streamlined account of incidents. The effectiveness of sanctions and any incidents is reviewed through the recent introduction of daily managers’ meetings. Managers view closed-circuit television footage and ensure that records are assessed swiftly, with any shortfalls identified and addressed at an early stage. The quality of recording and monitoring by managers has significantly improved. These improved procedures help managers identify emerging themes, patterns and trends, which are used to improve staff practice and the service provided to young people. For example, an increase in the number of contraband items discovered at the home, including smoking materials, has resulted in a detailed guidance and procedural document being produced with local healthcare providers. As well as ensuring that staff have

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

clear information on the impact of nicotine withdrawal on behaviour, a six-week smoking cessation programme has been developed. This programme is delivered to young people by staff who have been trained alongside healthcare practitioners. This is a very recently implemented programme, but has already raised staff awareness of the highly addictive nature of nicotine and the impact that this has on young people’s mood and potentially their behaviour.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Physical restraint is used in line with regulations and recorded. The new procedure for daily monitoring of all measures of control includes reviewing all incidents of restraint. Managers have recently commissioned a detailed review of practice related to restrictive physical intervention, conducted by an independent consultant. This review concluded in December 2016. One of the recommendations from the review is that staff would benefit from more in-depth training in understanding the reasons behind young people’s behaviour and understanding trauma that they may have experienced. Staff have since received training in understanding childhood trauma, and similar training will continue to be provided in the coming year. As a result of the review, a restraint minimisation action plan has also been produced, which provides a clear strategy for the home to take forward its intentions to reduce the need for restrictive physical interventions with

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The use of restorative practice is an area that managers continue to review as an appropriate consequence for behaviour, promoting mediation between young people whenever possible.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The living environment has improved, with the removal of graffiti in the bedrooms and the majority of communal areas. Bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms have been painted with anti-graffiti paint, ensuring that this problem is minimised in the future. Other efforts have been made to soften the environment for young people, for example the addition of more comfortable seating.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager now has an effective and efficient electronic system in place to monitor both the frequency and effectiveness of supervision that supports staff and improves practice. The manager maintains a strategic overview of any matters raised in supervision and ensures that actions are taken, including in the event of any performance-related issues.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Meal options have improved, with the introduction of weekly taster menus which provide young people with the opportunity to sample new foods. Healthy eating is encouraged, with posters explaining a nutritious diet and information about healthy balanced meals displayed throughout the home. Young people now choose their meal the day before rather than a week in advance, as was the case at the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A positive recent development has been that young people have received training in basic first aid. The programme is called ‘Street doctors first aid’. Eighteen young people have completed this, and it now forms part of the ongoing programmes on offer that support young people to learn new skills.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has recently been approved and received certification so that it can help young people achieve the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This is an excellent development and will help young people develop a range of life skills and interests. Young people can transfer to community-based schemes to continue with the award scheme.

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Information about this children's home

This secure children’s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict young people’s liberty. Education is provided on-site. The children’s home can accommodate up to 24 young people, who are aged up to 17 years. Up to 24 young people who have received a custodial sentence can be placed at this home by the Youth Justice Board. Other young people, subject of Section 25 of The Children Act 1989, can be placed by local authorities, with agreement from the Youth Justice Board. Admission of any young person under 13 years of age, subject to Section 25 of The Children Act 1989, requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/09/2016 Full Good 02/03/2015 Full Good 09/09/2014 Full Good 05/03/2014 Interim Good Progress

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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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