Children's Home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC419429 Inspector Joanne Vyas Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Direct Care Limited Registered person address Direct Care Ltd PO Box 52 Peterborough PE8 9AZ

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Responsible individual Rebecca Ouellani Registered manager Jacqueline Patel Date of last inspection 20/05/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 02/12/2014

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the previous inspection in May 2014, the overall quality rating for this home was judged as adequate with one requirement and three recommendations made. This home has made good progress since the last inspection and has been judged as having improved effectiveness. No shortfalls have been identified at this inspection.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager was asked at the previous inspection to ensure written records are kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response. Clear and robust records are now kept ensuring action taken is recorded with clear outcomes. This helps to ensure young people are protected from abuse and the appropriate authorities are informed where staff have concerns about young people. Staff work closely with external agencies to ensure appropriate strategies are in place to protect young people from harm.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure medication is managed safely. All staff have received training in the safe handling of medication. The Registered Manager also observes staff administering medication to ensure correct procedures are followed.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure appropriate strategies are recorded within the care plan where young people use discriminatory language. This ensures a consistent and more effective approach by staff to ensure young people understand that using discriminatory language is not acceptable. This was effectively implemented and young people have benefitted by having a better understanding of what is discriminatory language.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure young people are involved in the recruitment of new staff. The Registered Manager has asked young people for a list of questions they would like to ask candidates and these have been used in 3 of 5 subsequent interviews. The Registered Manager is looking at completing further work in this area.

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This inspection

Young people like living in this home. They get on relatively well together and have forged strong relationships with staff. Young people appreciate the progress they have made since arriving in the home. They are attending their education placements and have plans for their future. One young person said she wanted to stay in the home until she is 18.

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This inspection

Young people who regularly went missing before living in this home and putting themselves at significant risk, no longer go missing and feel safe and secure at the home. They no longer participate in risky behaviours, and attend appointments with mental health professionals to promote their emotional health.

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This inspection

There is a strong emphasis on promoting positive behaviour through reward. Young people benefit from this positive stance which means staff rarely give out sanctions. Furthermore, staff have a good understanding of the young people and what makes them anxious or upset and what helps them to calm quickly. For example, some young people require space and some want staff to talk to when they are upset. Staff also help young people to better manage their own behaviour by talking to them when they are calm about what they could have done differently. Consequently, there are few incidents in the home which require staff to call the police or physically restrain young people. Young people are making good progress with regards to managing their own behaviour.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy the activities offered and are especially looking forward to participating in the ginger bread village competition! They also actively take part in cycling, football and arts and crafts.

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This inspection

Young people are encouraged to work towards gaining independence skills such as cooking, shopping, budgeting and independent travel. These skills will help young people successfully transition into adulthood.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager works closely with other agencies. A social worker said, ‘They go beyond what they should do. They keep me up-to-date with even minor changes.’ She also said she feels welcome when she visits the young person in the home and she is very pleased with the placement.

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This inspection

There is an experienced and competent Registered Manager who provides strong leadership. Staff feel very well supported by each other and the Registered Manager. The Registered Manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has good plans in place to address any shortfalls. She has good quality assurance systems in place which ensure the continued improvement of the service. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children's home can accommodate up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home provides single sex occupancy placements only.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2014 Full adequate 18/09/2013 Interim inadequate progress 30/05/2013 Full adequate 28/11/2012 Interim satisfactory progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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