Children's Home run by Knossington Grange School Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 1 SC436386 Registered provider: Outcomes First Group Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

An experienced manager leads this home and has been in post since February 2022. She is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 27 January 2020

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/09/2019 Full Good 03/07/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a comfortable, large home. There is plenty of outside space for them to enjoy. The home is nicely decorated, and all the children’s rooms have en-suite bathrooms. There is sensory lighting throughout the house. This helps children to regulate their moods and relax. Children also enjoy the sensory bath, which helps them to relax and feel comfortable. There are plans to add a sensory garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by staff who provide nurturing care. They have secure attachments with the staff. This helps them to express themselves emotionally and behaviourally. Staff understand the children’s behavioural triggers. Staff take quick and effective action to prevent incidents from escalating. The home benefits from the services of a psychotherapist. Children can receive individual therapy, if required. The therapist also provides consultation for staff, which supports staff to have a better understanding of children’s past trauma, emotions and behaviour. This helps to guide their care practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are considered by managers and staff. Children choose their weekly menus and any activities they want to undertake. Besides monthly house meetings, children have weekly discussions with staff. They share their views, wishes and feelings. Children have also contributed their ideas to the redecoration of the home, and they personalise their bedrooms to their own tastes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children achieve good outcomes from their respective starting points when moving to the home. For example, most of the children are in full-time education. They are making good progress. Children have also had good outcomes regarding their health and they are helped, by staff, to make healthier choices and to exercise. One parent said that he is very happy with the progress his daughter has made and describes her as being ‘a completely different person’ compared to when she first went to live at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences. One child feels a sense of belonging and achievement from attending a judo club and Girl Guides. The child has gained many certificates for achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child, who has recently been admitted to the home, has not engaged in many activities. They do not yet feel fully integrated into the home. Staff are working to build relationships and encourage the child to join activities and feel part of the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are safe and happy. Staff are trained and have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Children, their parents and social workers say that they feel that the home is a safe place for children to live. Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 4 Children’s risk assessments are detailed and individualised. These assessments provide staff with clear behaviour management strategies. There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. However, staff are aware of what to do should this occur.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home’s internet safety processes are effective and keep children safe online. Experienced staff manage children’s behaviour well. Positive relationships, alongside clear expectations, help children to reduce behaviours that challenge. This has led to a significant reduction in incidents. All behavioural incidents are followed up in key- work sessions and therapeutic consultations. The manager has systems and processes in place to track incidents. This helps to identify emerging trends or patterns.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been no complaints or bullying incidents. A recent allegation against a member of staff was managed very well and appropriate procedures were followed.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff understand the risks and vulnerabilities of children. They provide good oversight and supervision of children. Staff always know where the children are and who their friends and acquaintances are, which helps to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a recent change in the management of the home. The manager has worked at the home for over 10 years. She was the deputy manager. This means that the manager understands the home well, she is well respected and has made a strong start to her new role as the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management of the home is very good. The manager is very committed to providing the best possible outcomes for children. She knows the children well. She has high aspirations for the children, which are shared by the team. Staff describe the manager as supportive and approachable. She can identify the progress that children have made since moving in. The manager and staff work with families and professionals to set realistic targets for children in their respective plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed good quality assurance systems. Since she started in her role, the quality of supervision has improved. She has a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The monthly visits by an independent visitor help the manager to identify areas that require improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is good. Staff have attended all mandatory training. Additional training which is specific to the needs of individual children has also been arranged. This includes training which relates to the psychological needs of children, autism spectrum disorder, Makaton and specific communication types. This helps staff to provide good care to children. Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 5 The manager has developed excellent working relationships with external professionals. The manager advocates for the children. She challenges decisions that she believes are not in their best interests. One independent reviewing officer from a local authority commented that communication is excellent. Staff help the children to attend relevant meetings to review their placement. The manager has been a strong advocate for children. This is because she understands their needs. She wants to ensure that the right services are available to children to help them to make

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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: SC436386 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Outcomes First Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Van Niekerk

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Inspector

Pradip Panchmatia, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC436386 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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