Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC370949 Inspection date 22/08/2012 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned by a large private organisation and provides long term placements on behalf of local authorities. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2012, the overall effectiveness for this home was judged as good. One requirement and one recommendation for improvement were raised following the inspection. These were both in relation to the décor and maintenance of the home. These matters have been partially addressed and a programme of refurbishment work is underway. Completion of these works has been affected by the school holidays and full occupancy of the home. Work has been undertaken in the bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen and garden, resulting in areas that are well-maintained, comfortable and welcoming. However, some maintenance work remains outstanding, including the replacement of doors and carpets. This is scheduled for when young people return to school and further education. This ensures that bedroom door alarms can be quickly refitted and systems to ensure young people's safety are not compromised. While the home has made satisfactory

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Progress

progress in the short period between inspections, maintenance work is not complete and therefore the requirement has been raised again. This does not detract from the overall good quality of care provided for young people. The home has an established and dedicated manager who leads staff in providing high quality care. Staff carefully monitor outcomes for young people, placing their needs first and foremost. As a result, young people continue to progress and achieve good outcomes in many areas of their lives.

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Progress

There have been some changes to the staff team. However, the mix and gender of staff benefits to young people who have enjoyed holidays away from the home with staff during the summer. Young people speak with animation about a holiday provided by the home. They recall the events and days out from holiday photographs. Young people are relaxed and comfortable as they interact with staff who are warm and tactile. They benefit from individualised well-planned care and have built good attachments with staff. Social workers report that young people make good progress at the home. They take part in a wide range of activities tailored to their likes and individual needs. Young people's contact is facilitated well and their families are warmly welcomed to the home. This helps young people feel secure and safe while on contact and know their families are valued.

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Progress

Overall, the service is managed well and has maintained the quality of care since the last inspection. The home has worked towards raising the standard of the environment raised at the last inspection.

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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 all parts of the children's home used by children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally and are kept reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (2)(d)(e) 15/10/2012

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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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