Children's home run by Lincolnshire County Council

Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 1 Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned by the local authority and provides a short-break service for children who have disabilities. The home currently provides a short-break service for 49 children

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Information about this children's home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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 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: 19 November 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2024 Full Good 05/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/01/2023 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, children have continued to enjoy their short-break stays at the home. There were five children staying at the home at the time of the inspection. Four of the children were spoken to and engaged with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff have excellent relationships. Children spend meaningful and purposeful time with staff. Interactions are good humoured, caring and respectful. Children trust staff and seek interaction and reassurance from them. Staff speak about children with enthusiasm and compassion. They demonstrate unwavering commitment to the children and go above and beyond to promote the holistic well-being and development of each child in their care. This attention to care and well-being gives children the confidence to achieve goals that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy having their short breaks and are given opportunities to grow and develop. Staff place a strong focus on supporting children to have fun, try new things and experience meaningful activities. For example, children enjoyed an outdoor summer festival and took part in a variety of social activities. These planned activities and outings encourage children to explore their interests and take part in fun and stimulating activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a wide variety of opportunities to share their views, wishes and feelings using different communication methods. These are captured, for example, in individual 'direct work packs'. There are also regular visits by an independent advocate who spends time with the children to gather their feelings and views. Staff have a detailed understanding of each child's expressions and methods of communication and regularly use Makaton, social stories and visual timetables to ensure that children understand and can communicate. This supports the child to express their wishes and feelings and be understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience consistently good care that promotes their health and well-being. Staff provide nurture and emotional support, assisting children to grow in confidence and self-esteem. All staff demonstrate commitment to meeting individual needs, regardless of their role. This reflects a culture of care and respect. For example, catering staff take time to understand each child's dietary preferences, needs and habits, ensuring that their health and well-being are prioritised. The home offers a warm, welcoming and enjoyable environment that supports positive experiences for children during their short break.

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

Staff are diligent in their approach to providing safe care for children. They are responsive to children's needs and use professional curiosity effectively. This ensures Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 4 that any potential risks to children are understood and minimised. Risk assessments and care plans are thorough. They provide clear and concise information about how children need to be supported by staff. Staff know and understand the underlying causes of more complex emotions that children can present. Children know that the staff are genuinely invested in keeping them safe. This supports the fostering of a sense of trust and belonging, which is essential for their emotional growth.

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

Staff have received good-quality safeguarding training. As a result, they have a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff discuss safeguarding issues in team meetings and in their one-to-one meetings. This provides opportunities for staff to discuss and reflect on specific safeguarding issues. Training is developed by the management team using research-informed practice. This supports staff to focus on sustained improvements in the care, support and safeguarding needs of children. However, there were delays and failures in procedures following a safeguarding incident in the home that placed a child at potential risk.

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

Medication systems and processes are well-structured and individualised to meet each child's specific needs. Staff receive the necessary training and assessments to ensure that they are confident and competent in this area. This ensures that there are always staff on shift who are competent in the administration and recording of medication given to children. This minimises any errors being made.

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

Children's safety is a priority for staff. They are attuned and responsive to the risks that are present for children individually and as a group. Safeguarding practice has created a safe and supportive environment where the children feel secure. The manager has fostered an open culture that prioritises transparency, accountability and continuous improvement. This assists in creating an environment where children are protected from harm and supported to thrive while visiting the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the importance of investing in staff to maintain and continually improve the quality of care provided to children. Her strong and respectful leadership has created a positive and supportive team culture. Staff are highly committed to the children, the home and one another. When children come to stay, they benefit from a team of staff that is motivated, consistent and genuinely happy in its work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems in the home are highly effective in promoting positive practice and continuous improvement. Reflection and learning are actively identified, shared and implemented, ensuring that staff remain responsive to children's evolving needs. There is a strong culture of reflection and thoughtful adaptation, with revised practices being introduced to better support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, formal one-to-one meetings with their manager and have regular staff meetings and team development days. They also receive daily support and Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 5 guidance from the management team and each other. These offer appropriate time and space for staff to discuss the care they provide, while not losing focus on their learning and development. It also provides opportunities for staff to be reflective and develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable and diverse staff team. Staff report being very happy at work. They are invested in the children's care. Staff say they feel supported and have confidence in the manager. Staff are supported to develop and grow. For example, one staff member has developed a 'Building Relationships with Schools' project. This has created a positive impact on working relationships with local schools, providing new, safe, enriching opportunities for children to visit and experience the home. This solid foundation creates a strong, positive team that is consistent and positive about the home and, especially, the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work and collaboration with external agencies is a strength of this home. This approach promotes the full involvement of families and professional networks around the child. During this inspection, many social workers and family members commended the manager and staff on the good communication and the quality of care provided during children's stays. A common thread in the feedback provided is the positive communication, the progress children make and how the children enjoy having their short breaks. Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 6

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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 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

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. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b)) 30/01/2026

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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'. Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Lincolnshire County Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2707638 8 regulates 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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Inspector

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