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

Assurance visit report: SC044562 1 SC044562

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service is registered as a children’s home but is also a residential special school. The setting currently cares for 24 children and young people with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 26 November 2019

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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: SC044562 2

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The care of children

Staff have a good understanding of young people’s needs. Comprehensive behaviour support plans ensure that staff know how to keep children safe. Young people are settled at the home.

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The care of children

Some areas of the home have benefited from recent redecoration and new furnishings. Young people’s artwork takes pride of place in the home. Young people are consulted about their living and bedroom areas. Managers recognise the need to address some institutionalised aspects of the design and decoration of the building. They have realistic plans in place to improve the home further.

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The care of children

Young people are making good progress in relation to their social and communication skills. This is resulting in reduced anxiety levels and improved interactions.

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The care of children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have worked creatively to enable young people to maintain connections with their families. Families have reported how pleased they are with these arrangements.

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The care of children

Staff have kept young people busy and active despite the COVID-19 restrictions. Any necessary changes in routine have been introduced sensitively. Staff have been resilient and creative in supporting young people to adapt to changes. Staff have used a range of resources to help young people to understand COVID-19. Staff have collated memory books to help young people to reflect positively on this difficult time.

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The safety of children

Young people’s risks are well understood and well managed. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure young people’s safety. The effective management of risk means that young people become safer when they move into the home.

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The safety of children

Managers respond appropriately to safeguarding matters. Safeguarding procedures are adhered to fully. A local authority designated officer has noted her good working relationship with the home’s designated safeguarding lead.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding processes are explained well to staff during their inductions, training and supervisions. Staff understand how to raise concerns and are able to do so. They have confidence in managers to respond appropriately to any concerns that they might have.

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The safety of children

Performance management systems are used appropriately when concerns arise about the practice of staff. Shortfalls in practice are addressed directly through supervision. However, ongoing monitoring and review of performance management issues could strengthen the quality of care. Assurance visit report: SC044562 3

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Leaders and managers

The new registered manager and senior staff have shown strong leadership at a difficult and challenging time. The management of COVID-19 restrictions has been effective. Careful and sensitive management during this pandemic has led to reduced risks to young people and the staff team.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has acted as a strong advocate for young people. There is extensive evidence of clear communication and liaison with other agencies to secure the best outcomes for young people. Decisions about the safety and suitability of placements have taken full account of the rights, dignity and best interests of the young people involved.

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Leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the provider has commissioned new independent visitor arrangements. The quality of these visits and reports has improved. There is clear evidence of detailed professional scrutiny and constructive feedback to the service. Managers have responded to this feedback and have taken appropriate action.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has continued to take measures designed to reduce the number of restraints and physical interventions that take place. Over the last three- year period there has been a significant reduction in the number of physical interventions used. Regular multi-disciplinary team meetings take place to reflect on incidents and to consider any lessons that could be learned.

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Leaders and managers

The recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed as far as possible within the COVID-19 restrictions. Those that have not been fully met have been repeated. The home’s service development plan clearly identifies the need for continued improvement in developing individualised communication plans, reductions in restrictive practice and promoting a homely and nurturing environment.

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Recommendations

 The home should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. This may include the use of and support to use communication aids, equipment and/or any necessary language support. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.6)  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek Assurance visit report: SC044562 4 as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression.

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Recommendations

(‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that the performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. This relates to the need to provide ongoing monitoring of staff practice when concerns have arisen. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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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Inspectors

Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Julie Knight, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC044562 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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