Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020607 Inspector Rebecca Quested Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person New Horizons (Child Care) Limited Registered person address The Keys Group, Laganwood House Newforge Lane BELFAST BT9 5NW Responsible individual Heather Ann Laffin Registered manager Charlotte Percival Date of last inspection 12/09/2013 2 of 9 Inspection date 12/11/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people live in a safe, caring, supportive and homely environment that enables them to make encouraging progress in all areas of their lives. They are attending school and college and engage well with health services. Young people are reaching their potential as a result.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people say they feel safe and they are safe. Their views are an integral part of the way in which the home is run and this contributes to them feeling valued. Young people benefit from caring relationships with staff with whom they share their highs and lows. Young people develop trusting relationships with staff which have contributed significantly to their increased resilience and a reduction in their risk- taking behaviour. Most young people are actively involved in the local community which encourages their development and social integration. These skills are invaluable in young people’s journey towards independence.

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Overall effectiveness

Committed and consistent staff ensure the care provided to young people is highly individualised and focussed on meeting their individual needs without compromising the boundaries and expectations associated with group living. Staff are effective in improving outcomes for young people through the high quality of their relationships with them. 3 of 9 Leaders and managers are experienced and well-organised. Staff and young people value the supportive and encouraging leadership within the home. One requirement and one recommendation have been made, neither of which has directly impacted on young people. 4 of 9

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There is also a satellite property that provides care for one further young person.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2013 Full good 09/05/2013 Full inadequate 15/10/2012 Interim good progress 09/05/2012 Full adequate

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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 all parts of the children's home used by children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally; this relates specifically to the external appearance of the home (Regulation 31 (2)(d)). 14/12/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 9  ensure that there is a good quality learning and development programme which staff are supported to undertake and that staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the young people and the purpose of the setting; in particular, by ensuring that all staff regularly complete fire awareness training. (NMS 18.1) 6 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress which is sustained over time and demonstrates their increased resilience and emotional security. They are able to understand the risks to their physical and mental health associated with their behaviour. Consequently, young people’s engagement in risk-taking behaviour has reduced or has stopped. One young person said ‘I don’t run away or take drugs; stopping taking drugs was the hardest thing but when I came here I didn’t need them’. A social worker said ‘my young person has made significant progress’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s educational achievements are very good. They all consistently attend school and college and are making measureable progress; for some young people this is exceptional. For example, one young person has achieved success in public examinations and is now applying to go to university.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are all actively involved in making decisions about their lives and this is evident in the choices they make about the food they eat, the décor in their rooms and the activities they undertake. The sense of belonging which this generates improves outcomes for young people because it helps them to develop a positive self- image and invest in attachments. Most young people benefit from engaging with the wider community through activities such as part-time employment and cadets. This provides young people with the skills to support them into independence and contributes to the development of their emotional resilience.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from appropriate contact with their families and friends which improves their knowledge and understanding of their backgrounds. As a result young people’s welfare is promoted.

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Quality of care good

Young people feel that staff keep them safe. They understand the value of the boundaries in place to keep them safe. One young person said ‘it is a good placement for me as there are boundaries and I am working towards free time...I want to stay here until I’m 18’.

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Quality of care good

Staff are proactive and consistent in supporting young people to access appropriate health care. This means young people’s physical and mental health needs are met both by the home’s in-house therapists and local mental health and hospital services. Staff challenge services to deliver timely interventions for young people. This means young people’s welfare and safety is promoted. 7 of 9 Staff work effectively as a team to develop plans which reflect young people’s wishes and feelings and the expectations of placing authorities. By developing positive relationships with young people, staff are able to implement these plans effectively. The staff are clear and consistent and ensure young people understand why they do what they do. For example, one young person said ‘I know why I have to pay back the money I owe, it’s to help me when I am “independent”, it’s good really’.

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Quality of care good

Staff ensure that young people are engaged in education which meets their needs. Staff form effective working relationships with schools and colleges to achieve the right placement and the right level of support for young people. This ensures that young people reach their academic potential. Staff also communicate well with placing authorities. A social worker said ‘I am very impressed with the home; staff are extremely reliable and helpful, especially the Registered Manager.’ This good level of communication serves to promote young people’s welfare.

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Quality of care good

Young people’s complaints are taken seriously by leaders, managers and staff. Their views are carefully listened to ensuring young people’s views influence the way in which the home is run. This contributes to young people’s positive engagement with staff and, as a result, their welfare is promoted.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The frequency with which young people go missing has reduced significantly and when they do go missing it is for shorter periods of time. Good relationships with the police and clear policies and procedures for responding when young people go missing and may be at risk of child sexual exploitation, ensure that young people are effectively safeguarded.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff work hard to ensure young people feel safe by implementing individualised behaviour management plans. They are aware of each individual’s triggers and respond appropriately to de-escalate situations. Consequently, young people rarely need to be restrained and the use of negative sanctions is infrequent. Young people say they feel safe and attribute this to the positive relationships they have with staff.. One young person said ‘I am really close to the staff, they are good role models’ and a social worker said ‘I think they are doing everything they can to keep my young person safe’. When restraint is used all the relevant details are recorded, including the young person’s views. Effective monitoring of the use of restraint informs risk assessments and behaviour management plans.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The Registered Manager ensures that staff recruitment is robust; files on staff and agency workers include all the necessary information. This prevents unsuitable people from coming into contact with the young people. Staff receive safeguarding training and are able to recognise and respond quickly to allegations of harm. This means that young people benefit from being cared for by staff who are able safeguard and protect them. 8 of 9 Staff ensure that health and safety and fire checks are regularly carried out. Young people usually participate in fire drills which means that they know how to evacuate the building in the event of a fire. However, staff have not received any fire awareness training in the last year nor have they signed the fire risk assessment to demonstrate that their knowledge is up to date. This has not impacted on young people’s welfare but has the potential to compromise their safety if staff are not fully

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Keeping children and young people safe good

aware of possible fire hazards or how to avoid them.

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Leadership and management good

An experienced Registered Manager has been in post since March 2007. The Registered Manager holds a suitable qualification in the leadership and management of children’s residential care. The Registered Manager has reviewed and amended the Statement of Purpose. This means that placing authorities, young people and their families understand the aims of the service and how they are achieved.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager manages the home effectively and efficiently. Records are clear and demonstrate the involvement of young people making it possible for young people who choose to access their records, now or in the future, to understand and make sense of their experiences while living at the home. An independent visitor produces regular reports which the Registered Manager reviews; she takes appropriate action as required. As a result young people’s safety and welfare is supported.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager monitors the progress of young people and can demonstrate how the home consistently contributes to improving outcomes for them. Staff rotas and working patterns ensure young people consistently receive good quality care. This means that young people’s welfare and development is promoted. Staff receive regular formal and informal supervision which supports their development and monitors their progress. Leaders and managers are always available to staff. This means that staff feel well supported in their role. Staff meet regularly as a team to discuss young people’s progress and changing needs. The Registered Manager has ensured that, with the exception of fire awareness training, staff complete the training they need in order to be able to care for the young people effectively. This means that young people are cared for by staff who are generally well prepared to meet their needs.

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Leadership and management good

Leaders and managers review the quality of care provided and generally ensure appropriate action is taken to improve it. However, the external structural repair of the home has not been well maintained creating an impression that the home is uncared for. This has not had an impact on the young people and is not reflected in the care taken to maintain the home internally. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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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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