Lincolnshire Secure Unit

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 children aged between 10 and 17 years. It provides for up to 11 children placed by the youth custody service and one child placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989.

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Information about this children’s home

There were eight children resident in the secure home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Admission of any child under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is 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 at 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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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2008.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 2 November 2020, to carry out an assurance visit.

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Inspection date: 18 May 2021

Date of last inspection: 4 February 2020

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Inspection date: 18 May 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 2

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children 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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has addressed two of the recommendations from the last inspection. This has led to improvements in the location risk assessment and the quality of the independent visitor’s monthly reports.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Previous recommendations relating to the education provision will be reviewed at the home’s next full inspection, so are repeated. No requirements have been set as a result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has strived to minimise the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on children. Staff have been proactive and creative in seeking new activities to engage children. For example, a staff member brought in his own musical instrument to entertain children. Contact with families has been promoted and supported. When visits have not been possible, staff have supported children to have regular contact via telephone or the internet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children form close and trusting relationships with staff. Staff interact with children well, demonstrating warmth and affection. As a result, children actively seek out staff support and enjoy taking part in activities with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the complex needs of children. Staff spoke with pride and enthusiasm about the progress that children have made. A parent confirmed the progress that their child has made, saying, ‘I am really happy. She is doing much better and going to school.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are fully aware of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments are adhered to diligently, particularly when it has been determined that an increased level of observation is required for particular children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management strategies are effective. Behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed and updated in line with children’s changing needs. Children are encouraged to offer their views on behaviour management plans. Staff take children’s views seriously and act on them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress of children is supported by an effective case management team. One placing social worker described the support as ‘great’. The case management team works proactively to avoid any drift and delay in release planning. On release, children are supported by the home’s allocated resettlement officer. Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 3 The use of physical intervention and single separation is appropriate. Records confirm good levels of management oversight. Debriefs are carried out after all incidents. These are used well to identify any areas of potential improvement. Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/02/2020 Full Good 24/09/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/01/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 5

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Recommendations

 The ethos of the home should support each child to learn. (‘Guide to the children’s regulations including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18) In particular, ensure that all staff accurately record the progress that children make in all aspects of their education. This means that any necessary actions can be taken quickly to ensure that all children are supported and challenged to make good progress. (This recommendation has been carried over from the inspection in November 2020.)  The ethos of the home should support each child to learn. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18) In particular, ensure that the plans already in place to introduce accredited qualifications into all subjects are implemented as soon as possible so that the children who attend school for long enough can achieve recognition for the knowledge and skills they gain. (This recommendation has been carried over from

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Recommendations

the inspection in November 2020.)  The ethos of the home should support each child to learn. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18) In particular, provide children with impartial careers guidance to help them to prepare for their next steps in education, employment or training. (This recommendation has been carried over from the inspection in November 2020.)

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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 it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 6

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Barnaby Dowell, Social Care Inspector Paul Taylor, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC042921 7 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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