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

Unique reference number SC009651 Inspection date 07/01/2013 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/04/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people. The children and young people may have emotional and behavioural difficulties, including attachment problems.

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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 full inspection in April 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. At that time, one requirement and two recommendations were made. The home has successfully completed these.

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Progress

In relation to the requirement; the organisation has reviewed and updated the way in which it records any measures of restraint that are required in the home. All the records are now maintained in the one bound volume, ensuring that information is not lost and cross-referencing is no longer required.

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Progress

In relation to the recommendations; staff now have a regular named supervisor so that they are clear to whom they are accountable. Any action identified as a result of the external monitoring of the home is signed off clearly in the home's records on completion.

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Progress

The staff team has remained largely stable since the last inspection but the number of young people resident in the home has increased. However, the home's Statement of Purpose does not accurately reflect the current staffing levels throughout the day. Although this document has been updated in relation to other issues since the last inspection, the revised copy has not been forwarded to Ofsted as required.

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Progress

In addition, the home has not always followed its own procedures in relation to new admissions, as individualised impact risk assessments have not always been undertaken. This is of particular significance when admitting young people who are significantly younger than the eldest resident and when the placement has been made in an unplanned manner. Such risk assessments assure that potential risk factors are acknowledged and those working with young people know how best to address these.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is making good progress in relation to the identified actions in her business development plan. She has recently introduced a training element to staff meetings so that she is able to disseminate learning to the team. Recent topics have included child sexual exploitation and the revised regional ‘missing from home’ protocol. This ensures that staff are familiar with the most up-to-date information should they need to address these issues.

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Progress

Young people's meetings are held regularly and young people are encouraged to express their views. However, young people have been requesting internet access for a number of months, but this is yet to be addressed. Young people are of the opinion that this would help them access information for their homework and assist in communication with friends and family.

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Progress

The home takes appropriate action should young people go missing from home. However, the number of incidents since the last inspection has increased. The Registered Manager continues to attend quarterly meetings with the local missing from care coordinator and strategy meetings are convened when required. However, escalating concerns for some young people have resulted in varied outcomes for young people placed at the home.

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Progress

Ofsted receive notification of significant events appropriately and the Registered Manager is good at keeping Ofsted informed about any updates following the event. The Registered Manager is alert to the changing needs of the young people in the home and remains keen to develop the service.

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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 the Statement of Purpose is reviewed appropriately and that Ofsted is notified of any revision within 28 days; in particular revision is required to accurately reflect the staffing arrangements in the home. (Regulation 5(a) and 5(b)) 08/02/2013

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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

 ensure that young people have access to electronic communication and are able to access the internet; where risk assessments indicate this is not appropriate young people are helped to understand why (NMS 1.1 and NMS 1.2)  ensure that the home implements a proportionate approach to risk assessment; this is in relation to the undertaking of impact risk assessments prior to the admission of new young people to the home. (NMS 4.5)

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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.

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