Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 1 SC042921

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Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This secure children’s home is owned and managed by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home can accommodate up to 12 children who are aged between 10 and 17 years. At the time of this inspection, there were nine children living at the home.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home can provide care for up to 11 children placed by the Youth Custody Service and one child accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is placed by a local authority.

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Information about this secure 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 secure 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.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2008.

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Inspection date: 6 June 2023

Date of last inspection: 10 January 2023

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Inspection date: 6 June 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 2

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children say that this is a good place to live. They express confidence in staff, with whom they have strong and trusting relationships. One child said, ‘Staff are always there when you need them.’ Another child said, ‘Staff don’t judge you. What you have done is less important than who you are.’

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The care of children

Care, education and health staff work closely together to promote a team-around- the-child approach. Care plans are kept under constant review and care practice is adapted to offer children positive social, educational and recreational experiences. One child proudly told the inspector about the qualifications he has gained and how he is being supported to pursue his aspirations to be a mechanic.

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The care of children

Children say that they feel valued, respected and listened to. They are routinely consulted about their care experiences and supported well to contribute to and influence their plans. When necessary, staff will advocate for the children. This ensures that they receive the services and support that they need. For example, staff advocate on behalf of children to ensure that placing authorities are proactive in planning for children returning to the community.

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The safety of children

Children’s safety is given a high priority. Risks relating to each child are continuously assessed and detailed in multidisciplinary plans. Staff understand these risks and know what to do to keep children safe.

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The safety of children

Children are respectful of staff and each other. This was evident throughout the inspection. Positive behaviour is incentivised, and children spoke positively about the rewards they can earn. Negative consequences are used sparingly and are restorative.

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The safety of children

Staff only use physical restraint as a last resort and when it is deemed absolutely necessary to protect children from immediate risk of harm. The monitoring and oversight of incidents is thorough and used to analyse patterns of behaviour and staff responses. For one child, this has been highly effective in reducing the need for physical restraint.

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The safety of children

On one occasion, a child shared information with staff that was dealt with as a complaint, but in fact the child was making an allegation of harm. This posed no immediate risk to the child. However, information had not been shared with relevant agencies, including Ofsted. This was done retrospectively. Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has significant experience and is supported well by three highly motivated deputy managers. Together, they promote a child-first, trauma-informed approach to caring for children. This is a culture that is embraced by all staff and fully embedded into all aspects of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff demonstrate a can-do attitude that supports children to fulfil their potential. They are positive about their work and benefit from good levels of support from managers and each other. One staff member said, ‘We say we are lucky with the children we have at the moment, but it is not luck. We have got here through the work we have done.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Effective management oversight ensures that high standards of care are maintained. There is a strong focus on reflection, learning and improvement. This has included addressing the requirement and four of the recommendations from the previous inspection, which are now met . Two recommendations relating to education and health were not reviewed at this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/01/2023 Full Good 16/11/2021 Full Good 18/05/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/02/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 5

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 12 July 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that safe arrangements are in place for staff to move medication around the home and that suitable provision is made to store medication that requires refrigeration. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  The registered person and education leaders should ensure that they measure starting points appropriately and that these are used to inform an individualised curriculum to help children achieve their learning potential. They should also ensure that teachers plan their curricula beyond the assessment criteria of qualifications and/or units so that they focus on the knowledge and skills as well as the behaviours that children need to achieve for their next steps. They should ensure that teachers set appropriately challenging targets that help children to make the progress they should over time. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes

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Recommendations

Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18) Assurance inspection report for secure children's home: SC042921 6

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council

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Secure children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Paul Scott, Social Care Inspector Dawn Parton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for secure 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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Inspectors

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

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