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

Unique reference number SC064500 Inspection date 31/01/2013 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people. The organisation specialises in working with children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties; specifically 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in July 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. At this time, Ofsted recommended that the provider make improvements in three areas. The home has successfully completed all of these. In addition, the manager has now successfully completed the Ofsted registration process.

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Progress

The home have now developed a consultation form for young people, so that they are able to contribute to the staff appraisal process. This helps young people appreciate that their views are important when monitoring the operation of the home.

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Progress

The external monitoring reports have been amended so that they now contain the correct information in relation to the management position in the home and the conditions of registration. These reports and a six month summary on the internal monitoring of the home have been forwarded to Ofsted routinely. These provide a clear picture of the position in the home and any issues that the home needs to address.

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Progress

A limited supply of homely remedies is now available in the home for young people to access should they require. This has alleviated the need to approach the general practitioner for all minor ailments. Appropriate safeguards have also been put in place for young people who have been assessed as competent to self-administer their medication, as lockable boxes are now evident. This ensures that only those for whom the medication is intended have access to this.

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Progress

Other medication in the home is stored in a suitable locked storage unit and appropriate records relating to administration are maintained. However, on occasion prescribed medication has not been given in accordance with the prescription. It is also not clear if staff have sought the advice of a medical practitioner when such an error has occurred, in order to confirm that no additional action is required to ensure the welfare of the young person.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the home has demonstrated a commitment to continue to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The Registered Manager has produced a number of new documents and procedures. These include; a recently reviewed development plan for the home that clearly outlines the priorities for the year ahead. An improved staff training record has been produced making it easier to monitor when refresher courses are due. Also the development of a protocol with the police about when it is appropriate for staff to call the police to the home, and what response they should expect to receive is now in place; and the introduction of co- keyworkers to provide improved support to young people.

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Progress

Young people's views continue to be central to the decision making in the home. Young people are encouraged to express their individuality and receive support from staff to engage in activities of their choice, such as going to the gym or swimming. Young people in the home also take part in the organisation's children's forum where they are able to put forward suggestions for improvement and provide peer support. Staff have also introduced 'the tree of knowledge' whereby staff and young people research a particular topic such as apartheid, and a display is then produced on the notice board in the home. Young people have been keen to participate in this, and as a result are improving their knowledge about the world that they live in.

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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 prescribed medication is given in accordance with the prescription. Specifically if errors occur the implications of this are checked out with a medical practitioner without delay. (NMS 6.14)

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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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