Children's Home run by Kisimul Group Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 1 Registered provider: Kisimul Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2025 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to six children who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with two children and took account of their views as part of the inspection. The third child was away from the home with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a well-presented home that is warm, comfortable and inviting. The home is maintained to a good standard and is thoughtfully furnished, helping children feel valued and at ease. There is ample space throughout the home, allowing children to spend time together or to have privacy and quiet time alone when they wish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by dedicated staff who are keen for them to have positive life experiences. Children are being supported to develop their life skills, and consequently, they make good progress. Staff recognise and celebrate children’s achievements, no matter what they may be, such as brushing their teeth, trying new foods or developing their communication skills. At times, children’s progress fluctuates, but staff respond quickly and adjust their support accordingly to meet the child’s needs. This helps children make continuous progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Well-considered transition plans provide children every opportunity to have a positive start when moving into the home. The manager gathers information to develop staff’s understanding of the children’s needs. The suitability of children living together is fully considered. Consulting children already living at the home about the arrival of a new child fosters a sense of ownership and belonging, making it feel like home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have quickly settled into school and are accessing education on a full-time basis. However, one child is not currently in formal education. This is because staff have been advised by professionals that supporting the child’s sensory and emotional needs should take priority. Staff work in collaboration with education professionals and highlight the need for the child to access some form of education when they are ready. Staff support the children in making educational progress at the home and in the identified educational provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children participate in activities and benefit from the social and active elements of them. For one child, their engagement is limited despite encouragement from staff. Staff continue to work with the child to support them in overcoming barriers in this area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to maintain meaningful relationships with the people who are important to them, including family members. Staff actively promote and facilitate these relationships in line with the children’s care plans, recognising the emotional significance of these relationships. As a result, children are helped to sustain their identity and feel connected to their family networks. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 3

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

From the point of children’s admission to the home, the staff have a good grasp on their risks and vulnerabilities. Staff review risk assessments, which are adapted when needed to reflect the changing and dynamic nature of risks. This means that, when possible, the children can experience new challenges and develop skills while remaining safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff provide children with clear routines and boundaries. Staff are consistent in their approach, which helps children understand what is expected of them. As a result, incidents have started to reduce in frequency and duration. These consistent boundaries help children feel safe and secure.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They can describe the actions they would take should children go missing from the home or should they witness poor staff conduct. As a result, staff have the knowledge and confidence to take action to ensure children’s safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff physically intervene as a last resort to keep children and others safe. When children are held, it is proportionate to the level of risk, and the least intervention is used. However, records do not consistently document conversations with children and staff following incidents of restraint. This is a missed opportunity to reflect on the incident and ensure that lessons are learned.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff receive appropriate training on how to administer medication. However, a medication error has occurred for one child, whereby a specific medication was not administered in line with the prescriber’s instructions for two days. This not been highlighted through medication audits. When this was identified, appropriate action was taken to prevent further errors from being made.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Complaints are appropriately responded to. There has been one complaint received from a parent. The head of care has worked closely with the child’s parents to provide reassurance and to take action to address the concerns raised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager has been absent for a period, during which an interim manager, supported by the senior leadership team, is overseeing the day-to-day running of the home. While staff report feeling a lack of guidance from the registered manager, they say the interim manager and head of care have been consistent and valued sources of support throughout this unsettled period. In addition, senior leaders have increased their presence through regular visits to the home, which staff have found beneficial.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There have been several areas identified for development during this period, including recording practices, monitoring and review systems and staff being supported to develop in their roles. A detailed action plan has been implemented to address these, setting out clear steps to help strengthen practice in the home. Some improvements have already Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 4 been implemented, demonstrating a proactive approach to driving forward positive change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Not all staff have received supervision in line with the home’s policy. As a result, some staff have not had regular opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss their professional development, or receive consistent support. However, where supervision has taken place, records indicate that it has included detailed discussions about the children and their care needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Team meetings take place regularly. They provide staff with valuable opportunities to come together, share information and reflect on their work with the children. The meetings include detailed discussions about children’s needs and progress. Recent sessions have included input from the service development practitioner. This has supported staff in reflecting on their care practice and experiences over recent months, contributing to improved team understanding and emotional resilience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Despite recent challenges, staff report that morale has started to improve, and they remain motivated and enjoy their work. Some staff have left since the home registered. However, new staff have been recruited and have received a good induction. A member of staff said:

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

‘Staff have really pulled together over the last month, even more than they already were, to make positive changes and lay the foundations for a home that runs efficiently. I feel proud of myself for the resilience I have had over the last few months and am incredibly proud of the team for the same reason.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff enjoy a range of training opportunities. This helps them keep their practice up to date. Training is very much focused on children’s individual needs. Managers ensure that training is sought quickly when new risks and vulnerabilities emerge. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 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 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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the manager embedding monitoring and review systems in the home to improve the quality of care. Additionally, it relates to the manager guiding and supporting staff in their professional development. 1 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that— 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 6 medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the manager having robust oversight of medication systems. Furthermore, it relates to ensuring that medication is administered to each child in line with the prescriber’s instructions.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure;

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate;

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation (35) (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that records of restraint include all required information. It also relates to the manager ensuring that children are spoken to following each incident of restraint. 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 7

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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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Inspector

Zoey Lee, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2805018 8 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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