Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020607 Inspection date 06/02/2012 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/12/2011 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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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

The home provides care for up to three children or young people. The service is for children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties aged between age 8 and 17 years; it is privately owned. There is also a satellite property that may provide care for an additional child or young person.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The judgement at the last full inspection was good. Since then standards have been maintained and satisfactory progress has been made to improve the service. The last inspection made four recommendations only, which have been sufficiently addressed in most regards. Staff have now received information regarding certain complex health needs and further direct training is booked for the near future. This means that the care of every young person is as informed as possible. Young people's individual needs are also now being met by the provision of suitable educational materials. The installation of the internet for young people is underway and is a high priority.

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Progress

The provision of educational activities for young people who are not in school is compromised somewhat by the breakdown of the second car. Suitable and prompt arrangements are needed to ensure each young person has a sufficiently full education timetable. Staff qualifications are lower than required but appropriate progress is being made given the length of employment of each member of staff. Young people's cultural needs are not met sufficiently well because of insufficient staff training around the promotion of social diversity. However, there is strong work underway which prepares young people for future placements and independence.

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Progress

The ongoing safety of young people and staff is being supported by an audit of each property, which will be completed in the near future. Fire safety is also given a high priority with regular servicing and checks of equipment. However, staff are not sufficiently trained by fire drills, which are announced and always use the same scenario. This reduces the effectiveness of such training for staff and young people.

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Progress

Young people are comfortable in their home. Although individual young people are concerned about a number of issues, these are being addressed carefully and effectively by staff. Young people's positive behaviour is encouraged and rewarded. Negative behaviours are controlled by appropriate reference to individual behaviour plans and there is good liaison with external agencies; physical interventions are only used in appropriate circumstances. Young people benefit from routine consultations and improvements have been made to the way the service obtains the views of interested parties. This benefits young people by leading to worthwhile contributions to the development plan.

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Progress

Young people have regular access to their records, which are thorough in most respects. However, there are gaps in their medicine administration records. This indicates insufficiently clear management and monitoring of medication, which is a potential risk to young people's health. Overall, however, the capacity of the home to improve the quality of care to young people is satisfactory.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that any medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed, and a written record is kept of the administration. (Regulation 21(2)(b and c)) 12/03/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 provide sufficient transport so that children are supported to take part in school based and out-of-school activities (NMS 7.1)  apply the emergency escape plan so that all staff and children are familiar with it and have practiced it so they know what to do in an emergency, with regard to using different scenarios and being unannounced (NMS 10.9)  ensure there is a good quality learning and development programme and that staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting, with regard to providing training about the promotion of social diversity and ensure it is applied in the home. (NMS 18.1)

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