Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Leicestershire

Unique reference number SC063997 Inspection date 03/01/2012 Inspector Sharon Treadwell Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/05/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, currently aged between 14 and 17 years. The provider organisation operates nationally, providing a range of care services for children and young people.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was good. Two requirements and six recommendations were made at that time.

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Progress

The home's Statement of Purpose has now been updated to reflect the experience and qualifications of the staff team. Very clear information has been incorporated to detail all certificated training undertaken by each staff member and to identify particular areas of strength. This clarifies, for placing authorities, the staff capacity to be able to meet the identified needs of young people being considered for placement at the home.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and deputy have carefully considered staff training needs since the previous inspection. Training records are much better retained to demonstrate training undertaken and to identify individual's potential training needs. The manager has negotiated staff access to a range of training opportunities provided by the local authority. Staff are scheduled to complete training on teenage pregnancy, unsafe sex, safeguarding and behaviour management. The manager is clearly now investigating access, for all the staff, to training specifically designed to enhance their capacity to meet the specific needs of young people accommodated.

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Progress

Young people's meetings are held regularly and the minutes reflect that issues raised, by the young people, are responded to quickly and appropriately. Young people are satisfied that their views are listened to by staff and that they know what action is being taken in response to any issues raised. Young people have begun to sometimes record their views in records of physical intervention and sanctions. They are not always willing to do so but, where this is the case, staff record any verbal comments the young people make. Room searches are far less frequent than at the time of the last inspection. Staff are fully aware of the requirement for appropriate records to be retained, detailing the reason for the search and listing any items removed from the young person's room. Young people feel that their privacy is respected by staff.

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Progress

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints from neighbours regarding parking of staff and visitor's cars. Staff are very aware that this is a potential area for confrontation with neighbours and they ensure that they park considerately and encourage visitors to do the same.

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Progress

The manager has compiled a comprehensive development plan for the home. The plan identifies the proposals for personal and professional development of staff as well as plans for sustaining a homely and positive environment to promote young people's engagement with work to achieve their placement objectives.

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Progress

Both requirements from the previous inspection have been fully met and all recommendations have been implemented. The young people, currently accommodated at the home, were in placement when the previous inspection was undertaken. There have been significant improvements in their relationships with the staff. Young people's educational attendance has greatly improved and their educational achievements reflect this. Young people were consistently refusing to have their annual medical, to visit the dentist or to have inoculations. Staff have made some headway in encouraging young people to revise their attitudes to health care. The staff liaise well with health care professionals to promote young people's continuing good health and well-being. Young people are in long-term placements and staff are working positively to help them to develop independence skills to promote positive transitions into adulthood. The staff have helped some young

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Progress

people to work through some very difficult family relationship issues. The commitment and dedication of the staff has clearly helped these young people to feel more stable and confident within this placement.

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