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

Unique reference number SC064500 Inspection date 12/02/2014 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/09/2013 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 young people may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties; including attachment disorder.

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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 September 2013, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. At this time, Ofsted made four recommendations to the provider that would improve the standard of care further. The provider has successfully addressed three of these.

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Progress

Young people have made a small number of complaints since the last inspection. However, records pertaining to these indicate that young people have received clear feedback on the conclusion of the investigation into their concerns. Young people express confidence in staff exploring any concerns that they raise.

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Progress

Young people living in the home continue to make good progress. Risk taking behaviours have reduced for some and others are working towards re-integration into mainstream education. The management monitoring of their progress has improved since the last inspection and records designed to monitor this have been kept up-to-date. The annual performance appraisal of staff has taken place as required; this now includes that of the Registered Manager.

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Progress

Changes have been made to the format of the duty roster since the last inspection; so that it now indicates who is in charge of each shift. However, amendments made to the roster following its initial draft have resulted in a roster that is difficult to read and shift leaders being indicated that are no longer in the home at that time. Furthermore, on these occasions the roster does not correlate with other records maintained in the home that indicate who is responsible for the shift.

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Progress

Staff meetings take place regularly. These serve to ensure team cohesion; provide a venue for any issues to be shared; and it is an opportunity for staff to be updated on any issues pertinent to young people. However, minutes of these meetings are not distributed to staff and it is not clear if all staff are aware of the issues raised as the homes system for monitoring this has not been effective over recent months.

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Progress

The staff group has remained constant since the last inspection, ensuring consistency of care for young people. Staff demonstrate a real commitment to the young people in the home and positive relationships between staff and young people are evident.

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Progress

The home has received some redecoration and new furnishings over recent months and is homely and welcoming. Photographs of young people are displayed in the home; as are items that young people have made. This helps young people feel that they belong here.

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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 home keeps all records specified under Schedule 4; specifically that the duty roster worked indicates who is in charge of all shifts in the home; that this corresponds with other records maintained in the home; and that the roster is legible without numerous alterations. (Regulation 29(1)) 14/03/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home; this is in relation to staff signing the staff meeting minutes so that the manager can ensure that all staff are familiar with any changes to plans for young people or actions planned for the home. (NMS 21.1)

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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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