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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC367623 1 SC367623

p.1

Kisimul Group Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service provides education, care and accommodation for up to 61 children who have learning disabilities and/or challenging behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder. For some children, this is their home. Other children have term-time only placements, and a small number of day pupils also come for short breaks.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2018.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the safety and welfare of children. This followed notifications to Ofsted of significant incidents, including concerns about staffing and an unexplained injury to a child. Inspectors spent time talking to children and staff. A range of records were examined and analysed. Senior leaders, including the registered manager, were present during the inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A child received an injury at the setting in July 2020. This is currently under investigation by the appropriate agencies. The provider notified Ofsted of this injury as required by regulation. However, there are different accounts of this significant incident. Leaders and managers have failed to identify these issues or ensure that there is a consistent account. This shortfall extends to another incident where a statutory agency asked the provider to complete risk assessments about adults working in the home. Rather than complete individual risk assessments, managers copied the same assessment three times, changing only the staff names.

p.1

This monitoring visit

In May 2020, an incident occurred where a child fell from a first-floor window. Actions were taken to make the area safe and the child was fully supported with appropriate medical attention. Although some measures were put in place to protect the child, there was a lack of clarity in written risk assessments. For example, it was Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC367623 2 not made clear how waking night staff would continue to observe if the child wanted privacy or their bedroom door shut.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff recruitment practice is not compliant with regulations because employment histories are not appropriately explored. Similarly, interviewers’ notes do not make clear how a person has been judged as suitable and why. The organisation has not yet implemented a system to ensure that Disclosure and Barring Service checks are routinely reviewed and checked. These shortfalls in employment practice mean that there is the potential for children to be exposed to unsuitable adults.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff retention is improving and there are a range of new initiatives in place to support staff in their duties. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns through the home’s various policies and a dedicated whistle-blowing helpline. However, on one occasion when a member of staff raised staff practice concerns, these were dealt with swiftly as a staffing issue, but a potential safeguarding issue was not appropriately explored or acted upon.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There has been progress since the last monitoring inspection, including a marked reduction in the use of temporary staff. The organisation remains committed to no further children being admitted to the home at this time. While there has been progress, there remain some areas to improve. Quality assurance processes have not identified the shortfalls that were highlighted in this monitoring inspection. Monitoring and review systems are yet to be successfully embedded in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home continues to be well maintained. Children were observed to be happy, relaxed and engaged in a variety of meaningful activities. Relationships between children and staff are good and there is a calm atmosphere across the home. Views from staff, gathered during the inspection, were positive.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/01/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/07/2019 Full Good 09/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/07/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC367623 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.3

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.3

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

p.3

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(vi)(vii)) 14/09/2020

p.3

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

p.3

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(h)) 14/09/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC367623 4 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.3

Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31 to 33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.4

Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Kisimul School, The Old Vicarage High Street, Swinderby, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 9LU

p.4

Inspectors

Pete Hylton, regulatory inspection manager Sophie Wood, regulatory inspection manager Maire Atherton, Her Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC367623 5 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspectors

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

p.5