Children's Home run by Keys Education Ltd in Herefordshire

SC062074 Unique reference number 21 September 2009 Inspection date Martha Nethaway Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062074

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to accommodate up to four young people of either gender from 11 to under 17 years of age. The service is part of a private company. The home is a detached property standing in its own grounds in a rural location. The home is close to another children's home, which is overseen by the same Registered Manager.

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Brief description of the service

The overall purpose of the service is to provide medium to long term placements for young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home's stated aim is to provide an environment in which young people can feel safe, cared for, supported and valued as individuals in their own right.

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Summary

This inspection was an interim unannounced visit. At the previous key inspection the home was judged as achieving an overall satisfactory outcome. Being Healthy was judged as satisfactory. Good outcomes were being achieved in Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation.

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Summary

The outcome group for Staying Safe is judged at this inspection visit. Informal discussions were held with young people, staff and management.

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Summary

The overall quality rating remains satisfactory and there are good outcomes being achieved with keeping young people safe.

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Summary

There are no actions or recommendations being set as a result of this inspection visit. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the home was required to ensure that the monthly monitoring visits take place consistently and this has now been achieved. It was also recommended to improve practice with the recording of medication and specifically if refusal of medication takes place. This has now been addressed through the home's guidance and senior staff monitoring medication records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home continues to protect young people from abuse and ensure that they are growing up in circumstances consistent with safe and effective care. This allows young people to stay safe. Staff act prudently in relation to safeguarding and are aware of their role and responsibility to always act in the interest of the child's welfare. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062074 The home has in place a good range of policies that address child protection, safeguarding, complaints, counteracting bullying, absconding and behaviour management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are well informed about how they can make a complaint with respect to the care and support they receive. They have access to an independent external complaints officer which is a valued resource for the home. The home's records show that young people are confident about raising grievances that they want investigated and addressed. Staff responses are embedded and demonstrate a professional and sensitive approach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are living in an environment where bullying is positively discouraged and if incidents take place, that they are dealt with immediately. Staff take good preventative measures that are clearly described in young people's compatibly risk assessment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are times when young people are absent from the home without the permission of staff. Young people are correctly reported to external agencies and full and detailed records are made. Staff work hard to remind young people of the risk they place themselves in so that they can be fully protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted by staff about making positive decisions about their behaviours and actions. Staff work begins by creating a safe, secure and comfortable living environment. Young people understand the strong emphasis given to developing acceptable standards of behaviour. They are regularly rewarded for positive behaviours through verbal praise and additional activities. All staff receive physical intervention training and records show that this is rarely used. Staff do use sanctions to help young people reflect on the consequences of their actions so that they learn that responses are immediate, consistent and fair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home protects and supports young people in matters related to health and safety. Staff ensure that they maintain a safe environment and that they comply with health and safety legal requirements. All young people have an individualised risk assessment so that staff are able to reduce and prevent harm for young people. Young people are also further protected because they have regular opportunities to participate in fire evacuation drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff recruitment and selection checks were completed at the head office at the end of June 2009. Senior management continue to ensure that the home's recruitment and selection procedures are followed. No staff are employed at the home without the correct and suitable level of pre-employment checks. This ensures that staff are deemed suitable to work with vulnerable young people.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062074

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062074

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