Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kisimul Group Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance visit report: SC034241 1 SC034241

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Information about this children’s home

This large children’s home is privately owned. It has a school attached. It is registered as a children’s home because children stay overnight for more than 295 days per year. The home provides care for up to 43 children and young people who have severe learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 10 September 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child- centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC034241 2

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The care of children

Children benefit from staff having a good understanding of their needs. Children have positive and trusting relationships with staff. One social worker said: ‘I have seen positive interactions between staff and [name]. She seems very happy there.’

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The care of children

Children have improved their communication skills. This has enabled children’s specific needs to be better understood and met. This work can be further developed to enable children to access complaints processes as and when necessary.

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The care of children

One area of the home has recently been refurbished. Children’s likes, and dislikes, have been considered. Communication plans are in place to prepare children for any planned changes to the home.

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The care of children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have worked creatively to enable children to maintain contact with their families. Families have noted how pleased they were with these arrangements. Face-to-face contact has recently resumed.

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The care of children

Children have been kept busy and active during COVID-19 restrictions. The changes in routines have proved difficult for some children to cope with. However, staff have supported children well to minimise the impact of these changes. Staff have collated memory books for children to help them reflect positively on this difficult time.

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The safety of children

Children who have experienced difficulties in managing changes to their routines have been helped to adapt to the new restrictions and hygiene requirements. Staff speak positively about how children have responded to the changes and are impressed with children’s resilience.

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The safety of children

Children’s risks are understood and managed well. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure children’s safety.

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The safety of children

A local authority designated officer highlights their good working relationship with the home. Appropriate contact is made with safeguarding agencies when necessary. Safeguarding procedures are adhered to fully.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding processes have been a focus of discussions at team workshops, training and staff supervisions. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Staff feel able to report issues of concern to managers and are confident that managers would respond appropriately. Assurance visit report: SC034241 3

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Leaders and managers

Staff morale at the home is good. Staff feel that they have been supported well through the pandemic. They say that managers are accessible. Managers are visible and able to offer guidance across all shifts.

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Leaders and managers

The home has improved since the last full inspection and continues to improve in all areas.

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Leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the provider has commissioned new independent visitor arrangements. The quality of independent visitor reports has improved as a result. There is clear evidence of professional scrutiny and critical feedback to the service. Managers have responded to this feedback well and have taken appropriate action.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations set at the previous full inspection have generally been met. However, a repeat requirement is set in relation to enabling children to make complaints when appropriate to do so. A recommendation is also set in relation to children’s access to advocacy support.

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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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no child is subject to any reprisal for making a complaint or representation. 17/12/2020 Assurance visit report: SC034241 4 The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (1)(2)(3)(4) and (5))

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Recommendations

 All children must have access to appropriate advocacy support, and, where possible, this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure that they have the support needed to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (The Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 23, paragraph 4.16). Assurance visit report: SC034241 5

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Martyn Jackson, Michael Cavan

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Inspector(s)

Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Joanne Vyas, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC034241 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and Children, 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.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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