Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC064500 Inspection date 25/10/2010 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 27/04/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The home provides medium to long-term care for up to three children from nine years of age. The organisation specialises in working with children and young people who suffer from an attachment disorder or attachment difficulty. All admissions are planned.

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Brief description of the service

As well as residential provision, the organisation provides individual therapeutic programmes. All such activity takes place away from the home environment. It remains the responsibility of placing authorities who purchase a therapeutic package for a young person, to ensure it is appropriate to meet their individual needs.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This short, unannounced interim inspection was used to follow up the recommendations made at the previous inspection. In addition, the key standards linked to staying safe have also been reviewed. No change has been made to the overall quality rating attained at the previous full inspection, which remains as outstanding.

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Summary

Since the previous inspection, the staff team has been relatively unchanged. The management, ethos, structure and working practices of the home remain as they were. It continues to provide a high standard of care and a safe environment for young people.

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Summary

Young people's individual needs are recognised and appropriate plans and strategies are in place to address them. Each of the three young people living at the home are in full time education, attending schools located in the surrounding area. The home is settled and there are no major behaviour management issues ongoing.

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Summary

No issues, concerns or complaints were raised by either young people or staff during the inspection. No new areas of concern have been raised as a result of this inspection and no actions or new recommendations have been made.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The report from the previous inspection contains no actions. Two recommendations were made and both have been positively addressed. This has led to an improvement in the range and quality of evidence being held on site, to show that suitable recruitment procedures for new staff are taking place. The written development plan for the home has been updated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety and rights of both young people and staff are protected. The organisation, working practices and strategies designed to keep young people safe remain intact. The records detailing complaints, missing from home, formal notifications, negative and positive consequences and physical interventions are well maintained and up-to- date. They reflect the current stability of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to access the complaints procedures, which are dealt with openly and transparently. All complaints have been taken seriously and the nature of the complaint and its outcome, are clearly recorded. A locked box, along with a supply of paper and pens has been introduced since the previous inspection. Young people can use the box to make complaints or general suggestions about the home. This is in addition to the established procedures already in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of their responsibilities around safeguarding procedures, with any potential issues being immediately referred to the relevant, external agencies charged with specific safeguarding duties. The home has retained its excellent links with these agencies and works co-operatively with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue of concern to young people who confirm staff are quick to act, should a situation arise. Generally young people feel staff are fair and raised no concerns about behaviour management issues. The home is fulfilling its statutory duties regarding the requirement to notify and keep other agencies and placing authorities updated on certain matters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The manager has expanded the range and detail of information kept on site linked to staff recruitment. This shows that the recruitment and clearance procedures used when recruiting new staff, meets with regulatory requirement and current good practice.

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