Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042950 1 SC042950

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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 children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. The home’s aim is to provide a safe, nurturing, and homely environment.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 17 January 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector 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 children’s home: SC042950 2

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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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Findings from the inspection

Children say that they enjoy living at this home. They say that the staff give them hugs. Staff were seen to be providing a high level of nurturing and supportive care. When staff need advice and guidance to better support children, especially with behaviour, this is provided by managers. This supports the team to grow in confidence and develops their care practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a large detached house. This provides adequate space for the children to enjoy. There is currently a programme of decoration being carried out in large areas of the home, including children’s bedrooms. However, this does not detract from the generally homely environment.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff have access to detailed care plans and risk assessments for each child. These reflect the current level of vulnerability for children and include measures to increase their safety. Over time, children’s risks have decreased. Additionally, children going missing from care has reduced. This is progress, as being missing was linked to concerns about substance misuse.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are all engaged in school or college. Prior to living at this home, some children were not attending school. One of the children has made progress with their confidence. They have been able to manage in a large class environment. This is significant progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has acted so that children bullying their peers is no longer a concern. As a result, children are safer. Children are now encouraged to partake in activities as a group, to learn about tolerance and acceptance of each other.

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Findings from the inspection

Some children have detailed life story books. For children at this home, this is important in helping them to understand the reasons for not living with their families.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are also safer because new staff have gone through a robust safer recruitment process before working with vulnerable children. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about children in their care. They are confident to escalate concerns to a manager if needed.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers now have a more robust system for monitoring all aspects of this home. These checks are wide ranging and ensure that health and safety, including fire safety, is prioritised.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that there are sufficient staff to care for children. The staff are experienced. Most staff are qualified or progressing to the required Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042950 3 qualification for those working in residential care. Generally, children are cared for by staff who provide a consistent level of care. Leaders and managers are active in promoting further consistency within the workforce to ensure that the children’s needs are met.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that all staff received a wide range of training and learning opportunities. Most recently, the home has invited the local authority designated officer to speak at a team meeting about the management of allegations.

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Findings from the inspection

Four requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/10/2022 Full Good 09/12/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042950 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042950 5 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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