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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 1 SC034241

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Registered provider: KISIMUL GROUP LIMITED

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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.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to 37 children and young people with severe learning difficulties. At the time of this inspection, there were 14 children living at the home. Care is provided to children across three houses on the school and children’s home site. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed but is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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 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 children’s home: SC034241 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

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the previous inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incidents were considered at the time of the assurance inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has been through an unsettled period due to changes in leadership and management. The newly appointed manager is committed to the role and is currently in the process of registering with Ofsted. She is a supportive and nurturing manager who leads by example. Staff spoke fondly of the current management team and the support it provides. As a result, staff enjoy working at the home and value the leadership of it.

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Findings from the inspection

The new permanent manager is providing much-needed leadership stability. This should now enable the team to receive direction and guidance on the care provided to children. While improvements are beginning, given the short timescale in which the manager has been in post, a period of embedding good practice is required.

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Findings from the inspection

Several requirements were set at the previous inspection. The provider has started to take action to address the shortfalls. The manager has quickly identified the strengths in the home and the areas that need further improvement and development. There are the beginnings of plans in place to drive these improvements forward.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders take concerns about staff practice seriously. Safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and relevant agencies are consulted, such as the local authority designated officer. Appropriate safeguards are put in place to reduce risk, for example the suspension of staff. Thorough internal investigations are undertaken, and disciplinary processes are duly followed.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to take part in a variety of enjoyable activities. This supports children to develop relationships with staff and it enhances their life skills. Children have attended the organisation’s awards ceremony, have been out for meals, trampolining and much more. One child has been supported on a shopping trip and they paid for their own items. This is good progress, and the child was delighted with this experience.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are skilled at tailoring key working discussions and social stories to address topics of importance. For example, one child has recently been supported to understand the bereavement of a family member. The social story was carefully created with the support of the therapy team, making sure this was tailored to the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 3 child’s communication and learning needs. Another child’s key work captured staff using the language primarily used in the family home, alongside English language.

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Findings from the inspection

Education is in place for each child, although three children are struggling to attend school. The manager has worked closely with the on-site education team to provide all children with in-house tailored education programmes. This provides children with structure during the school day. Having a positive focus on education helps children achieve better outcomes.

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Findings from the inspection

Children use a range of communication methods. Despite staff receiving communication training, the team’s ability to communicate with children is varied. Inspectors observed staff making choices for children without seeking their views and wishes. This prevents the voice of the child from being heard.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff only restrain children as a last resort to keep them and others safe. When needed, the least restrictive measure and force are used. Staff and children receive appropriate support after each incident. The manager reviews each incident and uses any learning identified to improve practice. However, it was identified that the electronic recording system can cause delays in the manager being able to record their oversight. For example, the form does not generate the oversight section until all previous sections have been completed. Leaders and managers have identified this as an action and are working with the system provider to address this.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager has started to improve the home environment, with an aim to make the home warm and welcoming. There has been some recent refurbishment and redecoration. However, there has been a delay in responding to damage to a child’s bedroom wall and replacing a damaged bedroom blind.

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Findings from the inspection

The language used in the children’s written records is not child-centred. It lacks emotional warmth. For example, one record referred to a child ‘attacking a staff member’. This is not language that cares.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have ensured that staff receive regular supervision in line with the organisation’s policy. However, staff do not routinely reflect on their practice within supervision or discuss safeguarding. This is a missed opportunity to support staff to develop within their roles.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is creating a supportive environment for staff and is working hard to embed the new ethos in the home. Making sure that care remains positive and consistent is a priority for the manager, and this continues to remain an area of focus.

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Findings from the inspection

Two requirements made at the previous inspection have been met, and three have been reinstated. Two additional requirements and two recommendations have also been set in relation to additional findings at this assurance visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/05/2023 Full Inadequate 17/11/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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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; (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that children have access to their communication systems and are supported to use these. This was in relation to The Old Vicarage and Church View specifically. 3 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. 3 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 6 that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Elements of regulation 12 have been restated.

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to staff following children’s plans. It also relates to the completing of incident reports and associated documents in a timely manner and the need for maintenance issues to be rectified without delay.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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) (2)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Elements of regulation 13 have been restated.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that staff provide continuity of care for children. It also relates to monitoring systems being embedded to ensure that the manager has improved oversight of the home. 3 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust; 3 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 7 understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(viii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff working with children to build positive relationships, and understanding that children’s behaviour is a form of communication.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that systems are in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 8

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: KISIMUL GROUP LIMITED

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Old Vicarage, High Street, Swinderby, Lincoln LN6 9LU

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Inspectors

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Linda Mason, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034241 9 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 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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