Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 1 Lincolnshire Secure Unit Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire Secure Unit, Rookery Avenue, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7TY Assurance inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. It provides care for up to 12 children aged between 10 and 17 years. The home was providing care for 11 children at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The home provides care for up to 11 children placed by the youth custody service and one child placed under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Admission of any child who is under 13 years of age placed by local authorities under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services at 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 registered with Ofsted in 2008.

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Inspection date: 8 May 2024

Date of last inspection: 12 to 14 December 2023

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Inspection date: 8 May 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 2 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: 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 during this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children said that they enjoy living at this home and that they get on well with staff. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and settled, which enables children to feel safe and secure and make good progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are very positive and said that they feel cared for. They can identify a ‘go to’ person who they can trust and share their concerns or worries with and said that they have good relationships with their peers. This helps children to understand the importance of socialising in a more acceptable way. Children are asked to share their views and opinions on the things that affect them and can influence their care and the running of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff’s relationships with children and their understanding of children’s individual needs underpin their working practice and how they deliver trauma-informed care for children. Interventions, key-work sessions and activities are used effectively to address children’s holistic needs in line with their care plans and/or their offending behaviour. Records are clear, and children’s level of engagement with this work is consistently demonstrated through the progress that they make.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers make every effort to work collaboratively with other professionals and services to facilitate a smooth transition for children into and on from the home. On occasions, decisions are made with limited information and plans can change at the last minute. However, staff ensure that children are well supported when they leave and welcomed when they arrive. The use of peer mentors helps children to feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff are now trained in minimising and managing physical restraint (MMPR). This gives staff the tools to recognise children’s behaviour and use de-escalation and diversion strategies to minimise the use of restraint. The success of the MMPR training in this service has resulted in a significant reduction in the use of physical restraint to manage behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

Single separation, where children are locked into an area alone, and managing away, where children are locked into an area but with staff always present, are equally at a low level. These measures are used appropriately to manage behaviour and children are reintegrated back into the group at the earliest opportunity and when deemed safe to do so. This means that children’s liberty is not unnecessarily compromised.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers use team days and individual supervision sessions to address and reflect on practice, which enhances the quality of care for children. There are a range of initiatives which support staff to develop their practice. This promotes positive morale across the staff team and assists in retaining staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 4 Leaders and managers demonstrate effective accountability and oversight at all levels. The auditing and support from senior leaders and external services provide an additional layer of scrutiny. This provides assurance that children are well cared for, safe, and exposed to positive experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Care staff, education staff and the health team have worked collectively to meet the requirement and recommendation relating to healthcare raised at the last inspection. The recommendation relating to education will be reviewed at the next full inspection. A recommendation has been made to ensure that the quality of care review report (Regulation 45) is submitted within the required time frame. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2023 Full Good 10/01/2023 Full Good 16/11/2021 Full Good 18/05/2021 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the ethos of the home supports each child to learn. In particular, ensure that more children are reading for pleasure, and provide teachers and learning assistants with time to plan their roles to maximise their impact on children’s learning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)  The registered person should ensure that the Regulation 45 report monitors the matters set out in the regulation at least once every six months. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 7

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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: County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

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Inspectors

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Gary Turney, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC042921 8 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

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