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

Unique reference number SC397112 Inspection date 05/03/2013 Inspector Michelle Bacon Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/12/2012 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 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 inspection, in December 2012, the home was judged to be good. Since then, the home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. As a result, young people continue to enjoy placement stability. The manager has taken action to address the two requirements and recommendations for improving the service raised at the last inspection.

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Progress

All staff have had their physical restraint training updated. Staff consistently apply positive and proactive behaviour management strategies; as a result, there has been a significant reduction in the use of physical restraint. Furthermore there are improvements to the recording of restraints; the behaviours leading to the use of restraint are clearly recorded. This means the manager can effectively monitor any incidents of restraint to ensure they are only ever used as a last resort.

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Progress

There are improved safeguarding measures in relation to the safe storage and handling of medication. Daily checks at each handover ensure the medication stocks balance. This ensures the welfare of young people.

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Progress

There are improvements to the home's approach to young people's risk assessments. Staff allow young people the opportunity to take balanced risks proportionate to their age. As a result, the home no longer uses excessive caution which gave an institutional feeling to the home.

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Progress

Young people's attendance and attainment in school is excellent. For example, one young person's behaviour has improved significantly so they no longer need support from staff during school. Another young person has improved their target grades for their GCSEs as well as securing a place at the sixth form. Young people enjoy school and view it as a positive part of their lives. Furthermore, young people continue to make excellent progress in their individual hobbies and interests, such as camping with the army cadets; this gives young people a sense of achievement and builds on their self-esteem.

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Progress

The manager provides strong leadership and regularly oversees the home’s development plan to monitor progress. The internal and external monitoring systems scrutinise the quality of care and include consultation with young people and their social workers. Feedback from one placing social worker commented ‘they work really well with (young person’s name) and they look after him. This is the best placement I have.′ Feedback from a young person's social worker who moved on from the home stated ‘the move was extremely positive and was enabled the care (young person’s name) has received at the home. They received a good send off and were assured they would be missed and remembered by the staff.’ This feedback ensures young people and stakeholders’ views are taken into account in the monitoring of the home and the manager has a good understanding of the strengths and any areas for improvement.

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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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