Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 1 SC043255 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

A local authority owns this home. It is registered to provide care for up to six children who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection five children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged to have serious and widespread failures at the assurance inspection on 12 December 2024. Following the inspection, several statutory requirements were set, and two compliance notices was issued in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children standard and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted issued a restriction of accommodation notice to ensure that no further children were admitted, given the inspection findings and concerns for this home.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to judge whether the actions set following the judgement of serious and widespread failures in relation to leadership and management and protection of children have been completed. It was also carried out to ensure the restriction of accommodation notice is being adhered to.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have worked to improve safeguarding practice. They have introduced new risk assessments in line with children’s individual behaviour support plans. These now provide clear and detailed information about the nature and level of risk. Risk assessments are regularly updated and shared with relevant professionals to inform care planning. Managers ensure that staff read and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 2 understand any changes to children’s assessments and plans. This helps staff to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers arranged multiple emergency team meetings that have supported staff to understand how to respond to children’s concerns. The management team has completed additional training with the workforce. This has given staff the skills needed to recognise children’s current needs and to help them understand how to respond in a way that helps children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have also enhanced staff supervision discussions to incorporate reflective practice and discussions about learning from incidents. As a result, staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the children. Supervision sessions are now also used as an opportunity to reflect, build on existing skills and constantly develop care practices.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have increased their oversight of incidents. The quality of written reports has significantly improved. Records now have the required clarity, contain all the required information and capture lessons learned to reduce the risk of a reoccurrence. The language used in the reports is child-centred and nurturing. Debrief discussions are carried out with children and staff so that any learning to prevent further incidents can be identified. This process also ensures that any shortfalls in practice can be addressed.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers did not previously follow safeguarding procedures robustly. There was a previous safeguarding concern where the advice from LADO had not been completed. There has since been an audit completed with LADO and all actions are now considered complete. Training has been provided to the staff team and there are now clear processes in place for the staff to follow. Staff show a good knowledge of the revised safeguarding procedures.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have increased staffing levels in the home. One child has moved out since the last inspection. Leaders and managers now have the capacity for robust oversight and monitoring, which helps focus on supporting staff. The staff report it has been able to spend more time with children, resulting in a significant reduction in incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers understand the areas that still require improvement. They are enthusiastic and committed to improving the experiences and care of children.

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This monitoring visit

Sufficient progress has been made to consider the compliance notices met. The remaining statutory requirements will be considered at the next inspection. The restriction of accommodation notice has been lifted. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/10/2024 Full Good 05/10/2023 Full Good 17/01/2023 Full Outstanding 22/02/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 4

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

and promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all children are engaging in education, whether within or outside of the home, and that staff are supporting and encouraging this, and supporting routines for children. 14 March 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are supported to complete the appropriate qualification by the relevant date. (‘Guide to Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: SC043255 6

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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

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC043255 7 and inspects 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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