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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 1 SC034241 Registered provider: Kisimul Group Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This residential special school 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 37 children and young people with severe learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a manager in post who is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 3 May 2023. Two compliance notices were set because of shortfalls identified in how children are protected and in leadership.

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This monitoring visit

At this visit, both compliance notices were found to be met. Not all the requirements set at the full inspection were reviewed at this visit and will be reviewed at the home’s next full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and leaders devised an action plan to address each of the shortfalls. They have reviewed the action plan, and it has led to some improvements. The improvements are in their infancy and require time to become fully embedded.

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This monitoring visit

There have been changes in the management of the home since the last inspection, and a new manager is now in place. This has provided reassurance to staff. Staff say they receive positive support, guidance and daily debriefs from their managers and each other. The staff team is cohesive and has a shared sense of ownership.

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This monitoring visit

The manager understands the strengths and areas for improvement. She has a clear view of the changes she wants to make. The manager remains committed and focused, and she aspires to provide good help and support for children. While improvements are evident, given the short timescale in which improvements have been made, a period of embedding good practice is now required. Leaders have Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 2 plans to separately register each of the three houses within this registration to further improve the way the service is managed.

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This monitoring visit

The manager recognises the importance of making sure that there is a clear plan in place to follow in the event of any safeguarding concerns. There have been two serious incidents that have occurred since the last inspection. The manager has ensured that robust action has been taken in response.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff have worked hard to improve the appearance and feel of the home. This is now a homely and comfortable environment for children. The home smelled fresh. New carpets have been fitted, areas of the home have been redecorated, and pictures and artwork by children are now displayed on the walls, adding to the feel of a family home.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken steps to improve the consistency of care that children receive. This has improved following several staff returning to work from a period of sick leave. Additional staff have been recruited to vacant posts, reducing the reliance on the use of agency staff, although this is still work in progress.

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This monitoring visit

Staff know how to keep children safe. The manager has ensured each child’s local authority plans are up to date and on file, providing staff with background information on each child and ensuring staff are aware of the child’s current targets and areas of focus. Children’s plans and assessments provide thorough guidance to staff on how to manage children’s complex needs. The whole team around the child is involved in reviewing important documents. This ensures a consistent approach to supporting each child.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents and restraints are well managed by staff and thoroughly documented. There has been an improvement in recording and reporting following staff training and development in this area. There is increased management oversight of these documents. The monitoring of children’s behaviour has improved following the implementation of new documentation, which helps the manager and staff to identify patterns and trends in behaviours. This enables staff to be proactive in supporting children at an earlier stage.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding is routinely discussed in each staff member’s supervision meetings and in team meetings. This equips staff with an understanding of their duties and responsibilities. The introduction of management staff practice observations and knowledge assessments provides opportunities for staff members to discuss how they safeguard children. Reflective practice discussions and listening groups have also been implemented. This supports an open safeguarding culture by inspiring and connecting managers with staff and ensuring they are consulted in the process of the service’s development and growth. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/05/2023 Full Inadequate 17/11/2022 Full Good 24/08/2021 Full Good 10/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 4

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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, The 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Requirement Due date

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that children have access to advocacy services and are provided with an opportunity to express their views and wishes, including after a restraint. 17 July 2023

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to their full potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 17 July 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 5 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; and

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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)(d)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers improving monitoring systems in the home to improve the quality of care. It also relates to the home having sufficient staffing without the regular use of staff from other homes and agency staff members.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring records of physical intervention are reviewed in a timely manner and child debriefs are completed within the required timescale. 17 July 2023

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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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

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Mrs Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC034241 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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