Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 1 SC042921 Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This secure children‟s home is managed by a local authority. It is approved by the Department for Education to restrict young people‟s liberty. The children‟s home can accommodate up to 12 young people aged between 10 and 17 years. It provides for up to 11 young people placed by the Youth Justice Board and one place for young people accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities. Admission of any young people under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this children's home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on-site in dedicated facilities.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Date of last inspection: 20 February 2018

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection examined progress made towards meeting the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection in February 2018. Inspectors also assessed what managers have done to develop the service and ensure positive outcomes for Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 2 children in their care.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have introduced an effective monitoring system to ensure that all members of staff, particularly night staff, receive regular supervision. As a result, members of staff now have an opportunity to regularly review their performance and discuss their role.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recording of complaints and their outcomes has much improved since the last inspection. Records show that the children are consulted and are satisfied that their complaints have been resolved. This improvement has also meant that children feel listened to and feel that their views and concerns are taken seriously.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was made to ensure that managers monitor and review the standard of care and put in place actions to address any shortfalls. This has been met. For example, comments made in records of restraint show that managers take note of any issues and address them with both members of staff and children.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have also ensured that children have seen their key records so that they are able to reflect on what has been written, and to comment if they wish. Managers have also ensured that records of children‟s achievements, complaints and key-work sessions are now well presented, include the children‟s views and give a good picture of each child‟s journey while they have lived at this home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overall monitoring of the standard of care has improved since the last inspection and shows that managers evaluate the service provided and encourage children‟s participation in the running of the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was made at the last inspection about external monitoring visits. Managers now receive feedback from the independent visitor on the day of the visit so that they are able to rectify any shortfalls promptly. The independent visitor also changes the times of visits. Visits now take place at weekends as well as late afternoons so that a wide range of children, their families and a cross section of staff can be consulted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, late receipt of the reports by Ofsted remains a problem. For example, the report relating to the visit on 22 July was not received by Ofsted until 4 September. This delay means that the regulatory body is not able to review issues promptly or to pass on important information to other agencies involved in the monitoring of the secure estate, such as the Department for Education. The registered manager reports that a new system to monitor the timeliness of reports has been introduced by an external manager in the local authority, but this has yet to have an effective impact. Therefore, the requirement is repeated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation was made at the last inspection which related to making areas of the home more homely and comfortable. Since the last inspection, there has been redecoration and improvement of many areas in the home. This has included children‟s participation in projects such as painting murals and personalising the bedroom corridors. Additionally, soft furnishings have been purchased. These have made the Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 3 lounge more welcoming and comfortable.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations made in relation to ensuring that children‟s views are sought in how the home is run, and ensuring that the children received minutes of consultation forums, have been very well met. A member of staff has coordinated efforts to improve consultation with the children. At the children‟s request, managers have changed the layout of the main meeting room so that visitors can use this if necessary. This has added a further visitors‟ room to the two already in place and gives more space for children to meet with their relatives. The minutes that are recorded during consultation sessions with children are made available promptly to the children. These provide good evidence about how children‟s views have been sought and responded to.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a member of staff has been appointed to a new role which will focus on improving transition plans for children leaving the home. This role has been made possible with funding from an external partner agency. The arrangement shows that managers are innovative in supporting good outcomes for children. The role will complement the work of members of staff responsible for care planning.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Inspectors examined records in relation to a new admission as well as records in relation to a young person who had recently moved. These records showed that members of staff have conscientiously planned, and liaised effectively with stakeholders, so that the children benefit from bespoke programmes of care. Efforts made by members of staff in these areas are commendable.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children were seen to be relaxed and comfortable in the company of the staff. They were seen to approach members of staff for reassurance and to seek their views and opinions. Members of staff were seen to be patient and approachable and were able to maintain boundaries and expectations in a low-key manner, to which the children responded well. „They‟re sound, good staff; they look after us‟, was a comment made by one of the children. „They always check I‟m ok‟, said another child.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2018 Full Good 31/10/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/02/2017 Full Good 27/07/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44(4))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that reports are submitted promptly to both the home‟s managers and Ofsted. 30/11/2018

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the 'Social care common inspection framework', this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 5 it complies with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards'.

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

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Inspector(s)

Paul Taylor, social care inspector Debbie Foster, social care inspector Interim inspection report children's home: SC042921 6 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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