Lansdowne Secure Unit

Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 1 SC031490 Registered provider: East Sussex County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This secure children’s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. The home can accommodate up to seven children who are aged between 10 and 17. It provides for children accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989, who are placed by local authorities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Admission of any child who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State, under section 25 of the Children Act 1989.

p.1

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.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The appointed home manager is in the process of applying to Ofsted to be registered.

p.1

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.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 19 October 2020, to carry out an assurance visit.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 25 February 2020

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 2

p.1

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.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has addressed most of the requirements from the last inspection. Each child’s behaviour and emotional needs are identified and are being met. Children’s behaviours are improving.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are receiving regular, and recorded, supervision. Staff are also receiving reflective supervision. The quality of supervision is monitored, and managers are responding to any areas for development. Supervisors have received supervision training.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received refresher training in safeguarding practice and policies. Staff adhere to the home’s child protection policies. Further developments include improvements to the comprehensive induction programme for newly appointed staff. There is clear guidance regarding roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children living in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of incidents capture children’s views. Managers undertake debriefing exercises with staff following any safeguarding incidents. These debriefing exercises fully review the incident and explore if different approaches could have been used. Any learning is shared within the service.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted is notified regarding police involvement with the home in a timely way. Where necessary, managers respond promptly to any queries for additional information.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems are much improved. The independent visitor’s reports are thorough and identify any shortfalls in practice in relation to the relevant regulations and quality standards.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is in the process of developing robust monitoring of practice and recording. One particular concern he has identified, and is addressing, is the recording of single separations. For one child, part of his behaviour management plan is to spend time in his room to calm. Sometimes, he chooses to do this and he regulates his own behaviour. Staff carefully monitor these occasions. However, there needs to be clarity regarding the reporting and recording of these occasions. The requirement regarding improving monitoring systems is therefore repeated.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a period of time leading up to this inspection that children have been unsettled. This is partly attributable to the impact of COVID-19 on staff and management capacity. It is also related to a combination of complex needs and Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 3 behaviours of the children living in the home. There has been a change of home manager and some children have moved on from the home in a planned way.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the point of this inspection, children are settled and they are building trusting relationships with staff. Their lived experiences in the home are very positive. They are benefiting from structured routines. Attendance and participation in education increased prior to the end of term. There is a full activity timetable for the summer holidays. This includes football coaching, a visit to the home from a zoo, planned activities in the community and visits with family. Children are also encouraged and supported by staff to access online education during this time.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For children moving on from the home, staff ensured that there was good information-sharing about each child’s needs and assessments. Professionals are positive about the support from the home for children experiencing changes, and that they follow up with contact with the child.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For children moving into the home, placing authorities have been equally positive about planning, communication, and the quality of care the children are experiencing in the home. Professionals are particularly complimentary about the manager’s oversight of practice in the home and his commitment and skill in supporting children to settle.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For one child who has moved in, English is not their first language. Communication is readily facilitated by easy access to an interpreter and important documents have been translated. The care provided is culturally sensitive. The child expressed satisfaction with the care and daily routine, and is making good progress with English.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved partnership working with health, education and care staff in the home. He is aspirational for children and staff. Staff morale has improved. Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2020 Full Good 12/11/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 5

p.4

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.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(f)(h)) 10 September

p.5

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.

p.5

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: SC031490 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, St. Annes Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1UE

p.6

Inspectors

Cathey Moriarty, Social Care Inspector Nick Stacey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC031490 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.

p.6

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 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.7

Inspectors

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

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7