Children's Home run by Keys ACE Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC397112 Inspection date 14/02/2012 Inspector Michelle Bacon Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is one of a number owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four young people aged between 10 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last full inspection in October 2011, the home was judged to be good. There were three requirements and three recommendations made. The manager and staff demonstrate continued improvements in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. This includes young people making good progress in their health, education and emotional well-being.

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Progress

The home has addressed the three requirements made at the last inspection. Staff files now comply with the regulations and any reasons for gaps in employment are recorded. This ensures young people are only looked after by staff deemed suitable. The home’s recording of physical interventions has significantly improved, as a detailed description of any holds used during a restraint is recorded and the behaviour management policy also includes photographs of these holds. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and contains details of all new staff working in the home.

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Progress

Placements are long term which enable the staff to gain a good knowledge of individual young people and their needs. Young people are fully supported in their education, while effective working relationships with clinicians ensure that young people's emotional health and well-being is promoted. Young people continue to take part in community activities where they can meet up with and develop relationships with their peers.

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Progress

Young people respond well to the consistency of care which is a key element in enabling them to develop socially-acceptable behaviour. A recommendation, to ensure sanctions are clear, reasonable and fair, has partially been met as young people no longer receive two or three sanctions for one misdemeanour. However, the sanctions book does not include the effectiveness and consequence of any disciplinary measure used. This means the use of any sanction is not fully evaluated to assess its impact in deterring negative behaviours. A further recommendation for young people to record their views and comments in the sanctions and restraint book has been addressed.

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Progress

The manager is committed to the development of the staff team so young people benefit from a skilled and well-trained staff team that meets their needs. Since the last inspection, the staff have received updates in their mandatory training. Additionally, a training matrix has been implemented to enable the manager to have a clear overview of training that has been completed, is planned or is outstanding.

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Progress

The home demonstrates a capacity for continued improvement. The manager has recently appointed two deputies to assist with the day-to-day operation of the home. This will further assist the manager and staff in providing a quality service and improving outcomes for young people.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, discipline or restraint in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which must include the effectiveness and any consequence of the use of the measure.(Regulation 17B(3)(f)) 08/03/2012

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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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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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