A YOUTH custody unit in Emersons Green has had its Ofsted rating upgraded to ‘good’ following years of failures.
Vinney Green secure children’s home in Emersons Green Lane was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2021 after inspectors found scaffolding poles and pieces of wood lying around that “could be used as weapons”.
A year later, the government watchdog said staff used unlawful and painful physical restraint of residents, along with unjustified solitary confinement for up to three days.
More recent visits concluded that the unit, which accommodates up to 24 young offenders aged between 10 to 18, still required improvement.
Now Ofsted says the unit is ‘good’ across all five areas inspected in April, including overall experiences and progress of young people, education, health, and the effectiveness of leaders.
Its report, published in June, said: “Leaders and managers are driving sustainable improvements across all areas of the service, with a focus on children’s care, experiences and progress.
“There has been a positive change in the culture of the home, and children now benefit from a more settled and safer environment.
“The education provision has expanded, offering internal work experience and placements that support children to develop skills for their future training and employment.
“There are positive improvements in the health provision across the home.”
The report said children were “at the centre of all decisions” and felt valued, with complaints taken seriously and investigated.
The inspectors said: “Parents and professionals consistently said that they ‘cannot fault’ the care provided.
“Children are involved in decisions about their home and have helped to decorate some rooms.
“Children make positive childhood memories with the fun and varied social and leisure activities available to them.
“This helps children to build on their social and interpersonal skills, build appropriate relationships with their peers and grow in self-esteem and confidence.
“Staff work tirelessly to prepare children for when they leave.”
The report said youngsters enjoyed and valued their education and that their behaviour in lessons was ‘exemplary’.
It said: “Most children achieve qualifications across a range of academic and vocational subjects, such as barbering, food technology, construction skills, English and mathematics.
“Children are consistently seen by a healthcare professional following a physical restraint or after any incident of self-harm.
“Healthcare staff also review CCTV of the restraint to support a thorough review of physical issues for the child.
“Children said that they feel safe.
“All staff understand children’s individual triggers and what strategies are most effective in supporting them during times of crisis.
“As a result, incidents are mostly de-escalated at an early stage.”
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council, which runs the home, said: “We are very pleased to have received Ofsted’s latest full inspection report.
“This is testament to the hard work of our staff and the strong and trusting relationships they are able to build with residents.
“We do not take this rating for granted, of course. There is always more we can do, and we continue to work hard every day to maintain and improve standards.”
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service