Lincolnshire Secure Unit

Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC042921 1 Lincolnshire Secure Unit Lincolnshire County Council

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Lincolnshire Secure Unit, Rookery Avenue, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7TY

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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 8 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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Information about this secure children’s home

Date of last inspection: 23 September 2025

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Information about this secure children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Information about this secure 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. Assurance inspection report for secure 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 secure 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 at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children feel valued and speak positively about the care they receive. They appreciate having varied activities which support opportunities for exercise and social interaction. The home environment is calm and pleasant, and children enjoy spending time together in communal areas. Children are treated with respect and staff support their cultural needs. It helps children to settle into the home knowing that their individual needs are being acted on.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risks, vulnerabilities and needs are well understood. Case managers are proactive when a child presents with an emerging risk. This included drawing up a dynamic self-harm risk plan and formulating staff guidance for managing non- epileptic seizures. These measures and strategies to reduce risk and harm are regularly reviewed and closed when the risk is no longer a concern. This approach helps children to see the progress they are making.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s voices, views and opinions are listened to and acted on. Children have the right to make a complaint and have the confidence to do so. All complaints raised by children are treated with the same level of scrutiny and care, regardless of the nature of the issue raised. Children are supported to understand the outcome through formal feedback and ongoing support.

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Findings from the inspection

There are very few serious incidents. One serious incident led to police and the on- call manager attending the home. Following this, prompt action was taken for one child to move to another setting to minimise further disruption and risk to the other children. One child was supported to write a letter to their peers apologising for their actions and the impact this may have had on others. This shows there is a reflective culture at the home which supports children to develop a sense of regret in a positive way.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are not restrained regularly. Staff use least restrictive measures where possible to try and avoid restraining a child, such as guiding and blocking. Children are spoken to following any use of restraint to support them to understand the reasons. A restorative and trauma-led approach helps the children to understand the consequences of their behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one use of an unauthorised restraint, which was still being investigated. Appropriate reports have been made to relevant agencies. The restraint coordinator has introduced training scenarios to support staff to develop their skills and staff have provided positive feedback on this. The restraint coordinator also work closely with the national restraint provider to seek external feedback and scrutiny on the use of restraint where required. This means there is transparency and accountability, where learning and external feedback are welcomed. Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC042921 4 Allegation management is robust; investigations are timely and relevant agencies and professionals are consulted and referred to. There is a clear multi-agency collaborative information-sharing ethos that ensures children are safe and decisions made are considered and in the best interests of the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to feel well supported. They have regular supervision and state there is an open-door policy. Staff acknowledged a challenging period before and after a significant incident but expressed confidence in the lessons learned and management response through reflective debriefs and training.

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Findings from the inspection

Occupancy levels have been consistent since the last inspection. There are always some vacancies in youth custody commissioned homes because of the demand for beds when children are placed on remand. The youth custody service has authorised the use of a second welfare bed at this home, and both are occupied.

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Findings from the inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/09/2025 Full Outstanding 05/11/2024 Full Outstanding 12/12/2023 Full Good 10/01/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC042921 5

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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 Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Laytoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector (shadow) Assurance inspection report for secure children’s home: SC042921 6 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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