Children's home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincoln

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to benefit greatly from their short breaks. Their care is excellent and their life experiences are enriched because of this service. Children and young people who have very complex disabilities and health needs make excellent progress. They have the opportunity to try new activities, to make new friends, and to be with peers of a similar age. They build extremely trusting relationships with staff, who assist them to get the most from their short break.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite having an outstanding judgement for several years, leaders continue to ensure that the service gets better and better. There is a raft of improvements that have had a very positive and significant impact on care since the last inspection. A new ‘social pedagogy’ theoretical model has been introduced, which is particularly well suited to the children and young people. The model is based on listening to children and young people’s wishes and views, whatever their communication, which in turn develops their confidence. There has been training for staff, and the appointment of a ‘social pedagogy champion’ has ensured that the new approach works effectively. The ‘champion’ is energetic and highly motivated to lead the staff in this new model. One staff member said: ‘We all love it, we want the kids to do well.’ There is a feeling of excitement in the home because of the positive way that this has already started to impact on children and young people’s experiences and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are exceptionally good links with schools to ensure that children and young people’s progress is maximised. There are several examples of children and young people making excellent progress because of the exceptional relationships with teaching staff. One young person has a new communication aid, which staff have tailored to ensure that it is relevant for their short break as well as during their time at school. This has enabled the young person to communicate better, and has considerably reduced their anxiety. The home and a local school have worked very positively in collaboration with each other to ascertain another young person’s views about the home, in order to determine how to move forward with the young person’s placement. Parents and carers report ‘excellent’ communication with staff and managers. One parent commented very positively about this. She spoke about how the very regular communication positively influences her confidence in the service. She

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reflected on the high quality care saying, ‘They want everything to be as good as it can be.’ Parents also talked about the high level of attention to the smaller details. For example, it was noted that a young person enjoys and likes to look at balloons. As a result, staff ensured that balloons were attached to his bed ready for his admission. The young person was observed to be very happy about the balloons and his communication to staff demonstrated very positive relationships with them. It is clear that staff go to every effort to respond to children and young people’s needs and to make their stay a positive one. Children and young people feel happy, comfortable and are engaged in the interesting and stimulating environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A piece of work has been commissioned through a local university to look at all children and young people’s learning and development targets, so that their targets are smarter, more achievable and more aspirational. Children and young people’s progress is optimised through this new approach. The student responsible described an ‘amazing’ reaction to the project from management and said that all staff were receptive. All who work at the home embrace change where it benefits children and young people. Children and young people’s progress is always at the forefront of planning, and leaders are forthright in their robust approach to continuous development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and staff strive to help young people and their families when they are in crisis. There is more of an impetus on early intervention since the last inspection. One young person is currently receiving a larger allocation of short break nights to assist her and her family during a family crisis. Managers work closely with social workers, children and young people. Their work prevents family breakdown. The service is becoming more and more flexible around the young people’s needs. The manager has recently opened on all bank holidays to create more space for children and young people who urgently need the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children and young people’s needs are very carefully considered before their admission to the home. Pictures around the home illustrate that children and young people are cherished and that their progress is celebrated from the moment they arrive. There is a celebration every time a child or young person leaves, and they know that they will not be forgotten. This ethos helps children and young people to build their self-esteem and confidence in readiness for adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection, but the manager ensures that all concerns, however small, are dealt with swiftly and effectively. The statement of purpose is very clear, so parents and local authorities know what to expect from the service. The children and young person’s guide has been redesigned since the last inspection. Children and young people have been fully involved in the process. The new document is more visual, including the clever use of photographs. It now tells the story of what a young person should expect when they are admitted. Staffing has improved since the last inspection and agency staff are no longer used. This is because there is now a larger bank of relief staff. Also, where there were some vacancies, staff have been recruited to these. The manager has made links with local universities to ensure that a high calibre of staff are aware of any vacancies. All the posts are now filled with highly qualified staff.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide short breaks for up to five children and young people at any one time. It is owned and run by the local authority. The home provides short breaks for children and young people who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 11/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/09/2015 Full Outstanding 17/03/2015 Interim Improved 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 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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