Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC363422 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Broadwood Educational Services Limited Registered person address Keys Attachment Centre, Hurstwood Court New Hall Hey Road ROSSENDALE Lancashire BB4 6HR Responsible individual Heather Ann Laffin Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 12/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 27/10/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe outstanding Leadership and management outstanding

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Overall effectiveness

At the last interim inspection, the home was felt to have made satisfactory progress. One requirement was set as a result of that inspection. The manager has ensured that there is now a very detailed and comprehensive timetable in place for any young person not engaging in formal education.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people living in this home receive exceptionally personalised and well-planned care. They consider and devise their placement and behaviour management plans with the staff team to reflect their specific needs. Staff fully consider all aspects of the care provided to young people and regularly review and update plans, in consultation with young people. Such attention to detail has led to significant improvements in relation to the educational engagement and achievement of all young people. From their starting points, young people have made significant improvements in relation to any concerning behaviours and are very well prepared for their eventual move to independence.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel very involved in all aspects of their care. Staff consult with them on a daily basis about all aspects of the care they receive and about how the home is run. Young people feel integral to the care provided to them and that their wishes and feelings really matter. They decide how their bedrooms are decorated; they contribute to changes in the décor of the wider home and plan for menus and 3 of 11 activities with the staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel able to approach staff to discuss any concerns and issues they may have. They report feeling safe and very well cared for by the staff team at all times. There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents of young people going missing from this home. Any concerning or potentially harmful behaviours have also reduced significantly and young people have made real progress in all areas of their lives since moving to this home.

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Overall effectiveness

The manager demonstrates a detailed and thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. A very comprehensive development plan is in place for the home. The views of young people have significantly influenced the plan and reflect the manager's commitment to their involvement in how the services provided can be continuously improved. One minor shortfall has been identified as a result of this inspection. This has had no adverse impact on the safety or welfare of the young people living in the home. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home run by a private organisation provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 20/11/2013 Full outstanding 11/03/2013 Interim not judged 23/05/2012 Full good

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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 staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the young people. This is with specific reference to the need for training to be provided in relation to ligature cutters. (NMS 18.1) 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have made exceptional progress in their sense of personal value and take great pride in their achievements. They are supported to learn how to manage any concerning behaviours and learn alternative strategies to manage such behaviours. They now feel able to consider their emotions and behaviours in a more constructive manner with staff support. This has led to a significant reduction in relation to them going missing, and an increased engagement with education.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have exceptionally good attendance in formal education placements. One placing social worker praised the staff team for supporting a young person with their education. They stated that prior to moving to live at this home the young person's attendance had been in the region of 20% each term. The young person now has in the region of 98% attendance each term. All young people have formal educational placements and attendance has improved significantly for each of them.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people achieve exceptionally well in relation to their education. From their starting points, young people now attend regularly and have obtained formal qualifications. For those who did not achieve the grades they desired, they have engaged with further education to improve their chances of securing the careers they aspire to. This reflects their increasing maturity and desire to do well, with the consistent support and guidance of the staff team. One placing authority praised the staff team for enabling a young person to see the value of education and in setting personal goals.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people learn the consequences of their actions and behaviours from the staff team. Incidents of young people going missing have reduced significantly. No young person living in this home is involved in any criminal or anti-social behaviour. The manager has forged very strong and positive working relationships with the local police. One officer stated that they are kept up to date of any changes within the home and have a very good working relationship with the manager and staff. Such close working, enables the staff team to consult and offer support to any young person who may be at risk of offending.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have all of their holistic health needs met. The staff ensure that they consider young people’s dietary needs and that they have a balanced and nutritious diet. For those young people on independence plans, staff make sure that they understand the need to eat well and healthily at all times. Young people have considered the impact of smoking on their health and sought support from local smoking cessation services. They engage with all routine health appointments and present a detailed understanding of the need to meet their health needs, with staff support. 6 of 11 Young people take part in activities in the local community and access services and resources in the immediate and wider area. This has enabled them to form peer relationships and friendships over time, with some young people bringing friends back to the home. This increases their sense of belonging and value. They also enjoy regular direct and indirect contact with family members. They have access to a phone

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

in the home to make and receive calls in private. The staff team ensure that parents and carers are kept informed of all aspects of their young person's care, as appropriate. This enables young people to maintain contact and to feel that the staff team care about them and their families.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are exceptionally well prepared for their eventual move to independence. Structured independence work is carried out with young people by the staff team. This enables them to identify their current skills and abilities and what support they need. Placing authorities spoken with during this inspection praised the staff team for their ability to prepare young people for independence. From their starting points, young people learn how to manage their own finances, prepare their own meals and feel confident about the transition.

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Quality of care outstanding

The staff have consistently high aspirations for all young people and work hard to ensure that their holistic needs are met and fulfilled. One placing authority praised the staff team for their dedication to ensuring that young people have the best possible outcomes. They stated that every member of the staff team applies a consistent and clear approach to their work with the young people. This has led to significant improvements over time for young people.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff place great value on education and ensure that all young people have formal educational provisions in place as soon as possible after they move in to this home. The manager and staff team have also ensured that there is a clear education-based timetable in place, for those young people who are not attending formal education. This ensures that all young people realise the importance of education and know that staff expect them to commit to studying during school hours. Staff have been very creative in identifying and sourcing alternative educational provision for some young people. This has enabled them to study to re-sit some examinations, increased their sense of worth and having the potential to succeed. One social worker praised the staff team for working tirelessly with one young person, to support them to gain the qualifications they desire, in order to follow their chosen career path.

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Quality of care outstanding

The staff team ensure that young people have access to all local resources and facilities during their time living in this home. The manager has a very clear ethos that looked after young people should be treated no differently to their peers. This view is shared by the entire staff team. One member of staff spoke of having the same aims and aspirations for the young people living in this home, as they would for their own children. This has led to young people feeling valued and able to fully 7 of 11 participate in all aspects of the local community.

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Quality of care outstanding

Involved agencies speak extremely highly of the positive and close working relationship they enjoy with the staff team and manager. An education provider praised the staff team for seeking out their services and supporting a young person to attend and achieve. Two placing social workers independently stated that the staff team and manager are excellent in working with agencies to secure improved outcomes for young people. One social worker stated, 'I only wish all of the homes I work with were as excellent as this one. The staff really do go the extra mile to meet the needs of the young people.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people feel extremely well supported and cared for by the staff team in this home. One young person stated that whilst they look forward to moving on, they wished they could move the home and all the staff with them. This reflects how much young people value the dedicated care provided to them by staff and the manager. Young people receive exceptional care from the staff in all aspects of their lives. This has led to significant improvements in their educational attendance and academic achievements. It has also led to young people being able to take appropriate risks in preparing for their eventual move to independence.

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Quality of care outstanding

The voice of young people is clearly evident in all aspects of how this home is run. Young people have contributed to the home development plan. They work with the staff and manager to agree how to improve the internal and external areas of the home. They discuss and agree the weekly menu plans for the home and agree what social activities they want to take part in. Young people also learn about managing their own finances and learning the skills they will need to move to adult life.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people feel confident in being able to raise any concerns they may have with the staff team. They fully understand the complaints procedure and use this if informal means of resolving their issues cannot be reached. They have access to a phone, without recourse to the staff team. Information is provided about other agencies they can contact for support. All complaints are clearly recorded and include the views of young people and their satisfaction with the outcomes.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff encourage young people to assist them in devising and implementing their placement plans and risk assessments. Young people fully contribute to their review meetings and are consulted on regularly about the care they receive and any changes they feel could be made. Staff support young people to identify areas of need and then reflect with them in key work sessions as to the progress they have made. Over time, this has led to a significant reduction in missing episodes, anti- social or concerning behaviours and self-harming behaviours.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people have all of their health needs met. Staff ensure that every young person is registered with local health agencies. They receive the support they need to consider such health issues as smoking cessation, drug and alcohol issues and self- harming behaviour. The looked after children's nurse has also visited the home to 8 of 11 undertake sexual health and c-card work with the young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people report feeling very safe living in this home. They identify a range of staff who they feel comfortable in approaching to discuss any concerns or issues they may have. One social worker praised the staff team for how well they know the young people and respond to their holistic needs in a very timely manner.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people help staff to devise their own behaviour management plans. They consider fully with staff what may trigger concerning behaviours and what strategies will assist them. Such attention to detail has led to improved behaviour for all young people living in this home. Over time, they learn the value of considering their potentially risky or dangerous behaviours and work with staff to change them. Staff demonstrate a hugely detailed awareness and understanding of each young person, their potential triggers for concerning or risky behaviours and how to respond. Risk assessments and plans are regularly reviewed and updated, to reflect the current needs of all young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There has been a significant reduction in missing incidents for young people living in this home since the last inspection. This is attributable to the highly comprehensive and detailed missing protocols, behaviour management plans and risk assessments in place. Young people feel able to discuss any concerns or issues they have with the staff team in a timely manner, which has led to them feeling supported at times of crisis and better able to manage their emotions and actions. There is also very clear and appropriate use of sanctions and consequences. This further assists young people to learn the consequences of their behaviours and to make improvements over time.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The staff team work very competently with local police and placing authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of young people at all times. Placing social workers report very high levels of satisfaction in the communication from the staff team. They feel fully updated about the young people placed on a regular basis. One social worker stated; 'I cannot think of one bad or negative thing to say about the care provided to my young person or the staff team.’ A local police officer stated that communication and information sharing with this home and staff team is excellent. Staff spoken with during this inspection demonstrated a detailed awareness of missing from care protocols and procedures. They also clearly know and understand the specific needs of each young person and how to respond to them.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The use of physical restraint in this home is minimal. Staff display significant skills in being able to diffuse any potentially concerning behaviours, without recourse to the 9 of 11 use of restraint. Young people respond positively to staff support and use strategies to manage their concerning behaviours, based on their behaviour management plans. This has enabled young people to feel better able to control their emotions over time.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The staff team have very clear procedures in place to respond to any concerns in relation to actual or potential bullying. Clear logs are kept and work undertaken with any young person where this is a concern. There have been no reported incidents of bullying, but staff members demonstrate a clear awareness of how to respond to such issues. The manager regularly considers all records maintained in relation to the use of restraint and bullying, to ensure that any patterns or trends are identified and responded to.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The recruitment and selection of staff for this home is extremely robust and clear. These recruitment processes help to prevent unsuitable people from being able to work with vulnerable young people in this home. Any allegations or suspicions of harm have been responded to by the manager to an exceptionally competent level. There is close and appropriate work undertaken with the local authority designated officer. The staff spoken with during this inspection displayed a detailed awareness and understanding of the allegations processes and feel well supported by the manager at all times.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home itself is physically safe and secure. It provides a welcoming and homely environment for young people. The manager has produced an exceptionally well thought out location risk assessment for the home and surrounding areas. This helps to ensure that young people's need to be protected from harm in the home and outside of it is met.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The manager has recently undergone an interview to be approved as the Registered Manager for the home with Ofsted. She has the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to perform the role of manager.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home has an excellent track record in relation to dealing with any concerns or complaints raised in a timely manner. Young people report total confidence in being able to raise any issues they may have. Placing social workers also report having total confidence that any issues they raise will be dealt with promptly and well by the manager.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The one requirement set at the last inspection has been fully considered and met by the manager. The manager has devised and implemented an excellent development plan for the home. This has been devised in consultation with the young people and reflects their influence on how the home is run. The manager strives to ensure that young people are central to the running of the home. She has set realistic goals for 10 of 11 further improving the services provided to young people and is fully aware of the strengths and areas for improvement in the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Statement of Purpose for the home is clear and detailed. Placing authorities and young people fully understand the aims and objectives of the home and report very high levels of satisfaction that they are met at all times. Young people receive a guide when they come to live at the home. This contains a wealth of information on the services provided and includes details of how to make a complaint and agencies they can contact.

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Leadership and management outstanding

An independent visitor comes to the home every month to consider all aspects of the care provided to young people. The visitor ensures that they meet with young people and makes contact with placing authorities and family members. Reports produced from these visits are detailed, clear and provide the manager with clear recommendations for any areas of need. The manager responds to these reports in a very timely manner and uses them to inform her own monthly management audits and reports.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home is maintained to a very high standard internally and externally. Young people have worked with the staff team to make improvements to the home and gardens. Their suggestions have significantly informed the development plan for the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home has sufficient staff to meet the needs of young people at all times. Staff receive regular supervision and have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities. Not all staff have received training on how to use ligature cutters. There is guidance and policies in place relating to the use of ligature cutters and safe storage. Staff would benefit from having specific training in this area, in the event that a young person required such support.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Records relating to the care and support provided to young people are excellent. They provide real meaning and value to young people, if they were to request access to them now or in the future. Staff diligently take their own notes at all looked after review meetings they attend. This avoids any delay in them being able to respond to recommendations made, pending receipt of the minutes from such meetings. Staff also make 'memory boxes' for each young person. These contain photographs and other keepsakes of the activities they have been involved in at the home. These provide young people with a positive memory of their lives and time living at this home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Notifications of significant events are recorded in a very timely manner and shared with relevant agencies and professionals. The manager ensures that action is taken to ensure the safety and welfare of young people following any significant events. Records reflect the dedication and commitment of the manager and staff team to supporting young people following any significant event or incident. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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