Children's home run by Kisimul Group Limited in North Kesteven

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvement has continued in key areas since the last inspection, and leaders have remained strong and focused on young people’s outcomes. However, alongside this continued trajectory of improvement there are some shortfalls.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to benefit from the positive daily cycle of integrated learning and development across the care and school settings. They enjoy the homely atmosphere of the well-maintained home units and the abundance of stimulating and fun activities. Some popular activities, such as horse riding and weekly swimming sessions, have been successfully reintroduced. The building of an on-site swimming complex is due for completion before the end of this year.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The impact of efforts to improve the care and progress of the young people has been further enhanced by the recent introduction of regular meetings between key members of the education, therapy and care teams. This collaboration is aimed at improving communication and ensuring that efforts to improve outcomes for the young people are co-ordinated and follow a holistic approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective systems are in place, and continue to be developed, to enable leaders and managers to closely monitor the quality of care across the five homes on the extensive site. These include daily visits across the site and to homes at different times of the day, including key times of movement on the site. Leaders and managers interact with staff and young people during these visits in supportive and constructive ways and provide colourful email feedback to staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff cohesion has continued to develop, and staff are positive about the improvements that leaders and managers have made. They feel supported by the improved practice of regular supervision. However, leaders and managers have not yet succeeded in embedding a culture of good-quality supervision that is regarded by all as essential for maintaining staff focus and motivation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A protracted period of staff consultation, regarding a significant change to shift arrangements, is nearing an end. The proposed change, supported by the majority of staff, aims to improve the continuity of care for the young people and increasing opportunities for more meaningful activities and life experiences. The proposed lengthening of shifts will mean, for example, that the young people will return for lunch and after school to the same staff teams that helped them to get ready in the morning. Outings and activities, particularly during holidays and weekends, will not have to be curtailed in order to accommodate shift changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The identified shortfalls during this inspection relate to: the procedures followed when an allegation is made against a member of staff; ensuring that staff meet qualification requirements; inadequate recording of restraint incidents; and the need to embed a positive culture around staff supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection period, a young person made a serious allegation against a member of staff. Records of the incident are unclear and do not show that procedures were followed. This includes failure by managers to consult with the local authority designated officer at the earliest opportunity, as well as insufficient management oversight. However, the young person’s immediate safety and well- being are not regarded as having been compromised by these failures. Staff practice around the incident fails to adequately address the risks and consequences of further possibly unfounded allegations by this young person. The requirement set at the last inspection regarding following the proper procedures has not been met and is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite the best efforts of leaders and managers, a small minority of staff have still not met the Level 3 diploma requirement. All manner of rigour has been applied to address this issue since the last inspection, and substantial progress has been achieved, but the requirement previously set has not been fully met. The statement of purpose has been amended. Following a requirement at the previous inspection, it now accurately reflects the home’s employment practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recording of incidents involving physical interventions is inconsistent, and some recordings are of a poor standard and do not enable effective management oversight. The recommendation made at the last inspection regarding clear restraint recording is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers remain focused on a programme of improvement and have, so far, succeeded in effectively engaging the staff team on this journey to improve outcomes for the young people.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned service provides education, care and accommodation for up to 66 children and young people who have learning disabilities and challenging behaviours associated with autistic spectrum disorder.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/10/2016 CH – Full (aligned) Good 02/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Requires improvement 11/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered may only employ an individual if: (3)(b) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills. 31/05/17

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Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay of any incident as listed in (4) (a) to (e). 15/05/17

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 The registered manager must ensure that records of restraint are clear and enable proper review of the use of control, discipline and restraint. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 49 paragraph 9.59)

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Recommendations

 The registered manager must continue to review the practice of staff supervision in the home and ensure that this meets the needs for staff to reflect meaningfully on their practice as well as how they may be affected by the behaviour of young people. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 61 paragraph 13.2 and page 39 paragraph 8.15)

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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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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