Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Windsor and Maidenhead

Unique reference number SC438624 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person BetterCare Keys Limited Registered person address Laganwood House 44 Newforge Lane Belfast BT9 5NW Responsible individual Heather Ann Laffin Registered manager Suntheep Kumar Kainth Date of last inspection 22/01/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 19/12/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress 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 make good progress in all areas of their lives while living in the home. Young people thrive through their excellent relationships with staff. Young people feel staff listen to them and act upon their views and ideas when possible. They are involved in consultation and service development through ad hoc and formal group and one to one sessions.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people develop skills to form positive relationships with staff and each other in a supportive and nurturing environment. Young people are comfortable in their surroundings and confident in their interactions with staff. They feel safe in the home and know that staff are concerned for their well-being. Staff have excellent working relationships with parents, education and a range of specialist services to promote consistency in care provision and planning.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager and senior team have significant experience and recognise the strengths of weaknesses within the service provided. They are keen to continually improve individual young people’s care experience and staff skills and knowledge. Staff are well trained and feel supported through regular supervision. Young people benefit from continuity in staffing and a consist approach to care.

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Overall effectiveness

Areas identified as requiring improvement as a result of this inspection are: ensuring 3 of 10 young people have their views consistently documented in sanctions records; the disposal of redundant white goods and gaining consent from those with parental responsibility for individuals to meet with the organisations therapist. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is run by a large nationwide provider. It is registered for up to two children with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 23/07/2013 Full good 25/01/2013 Interim good progress 01/08/2012 Full inadequate

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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 where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraints are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home. Additionally indicate in records if individuals have declined to comment (NMS 3.18)  ensure that where specific therapies are used there is continuing agreement of the child’s responsible authority or a person with parental responsibility and of the child concerned where the child is of sufficient understanding (NMS 6.11)  dispose of broken and unwanted household goods promptly. (NMS 10) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop a positive self-view and enjoy increased self-esteem through living in the home. They are supported to understand their personal history and the reasons which led to them living in care. Through role modelling and nurturing relationships with staff, young people develop the foundations to form appropriate relationships with their families and peers.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Emotional well-being is central to young people’s plans with some excellent support from external mental health professionals and ad hoc sessions with the organisations therapist. An emotional health professional commented that staff are ‘eager to do their best’ to support individual needs. Formal permission has not been sought from parents or social workers for in-house therapeutic sessions to take place.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from good physical health. Staff support young people to individually understand healthy lifestyles and what this means for them. Meals are mostly home-made with a range of fresh produce. Young people often prepare meals for themselves or the group. Young people are involved in a range of physically and emotionally stimulating activities in the home and community, such as rugby; arts and crafts and engagement with youth clubs and groups.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are actively involved in the formulation of their care and behaviour management plans. Regular meetings and individual sessions provide individuals with the opportunity to share their views and ideas on the home and care they receive.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make outstanding progress in education while living in the home. They are engaged in tailored education and training packages which blends formal lessons with support from specialist services. Those who have been out of education for several years prior to their placement are now attending agreed sessions, with a goal towards completing full weekly timetables.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make positive strides towards reducing anti-social behaviour and activities that place them at risk. Being missing has dramatically reduced for young people since living in the home and positive involvement with youth offending teams has increased. Young people who, in previous placements refused to engage in court imposed orders now effectively engage and their offending has ceased. Young people have a positive presence in the community and have recently collected provisions for a local food bank.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have excellent support to learn skills for independence and adulthood. Individualised plans ensure young people are able to budget and make meals in addition to gaining skills for everyday tasks, such as cleaning and applying for jobs. Young people are not fully engaging in this currently, but staff work hard to promote 6 of 10 independence and support young people with their skills informally.

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Quality of care good

The quality of care for young people is good. Social workers comment that the home meets young people’s needs despite the fluctuations in individuals behaviour. Young people enjoy very good relationships with staff and respond well to them, seeking guidance with various issues. Observations show warm and caring relationships with appropriate levels of support and challenge combined with fun and banter.

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Quality of care good

Staff listen to young people’s views and ideas, acting on these whenever able, while supporting them to understand when situations cannot change. Staff are demonstrably concerned for all aspects of young people’s emotional wellbeing. Young people know their contributions are welcomed and that their concerns will be taken seriously. Young people’s complaints are responded to promptly and with rigour.

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Quality of care good

Young people contribute to their reviews and care plans, which reflect agreed goals. Monitoring and evaluation of targets, behaviour and skills ensure individuals have a good understanding of their progress and areas they need to develop. Individualised behaviour support plans promote consistency in approach to unwanted behaviour. Sanctions are fair and proportionate; however young people’s views on the measure are not consistently recorded. Positive behaviour is rewarded in ways appropriate to individual young people and daily success charts are a positive focus for young people.

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Quality of care good

Staff effectively support young people with their education both in the home and through close consultation with education and training providers. As a result, young people’s engagement has increased and they demonstrate greater commitment to learning. In addition to education and training, young people have tailored weekly plans, meeting their social and emotional needs. Activities include various physical and cerebral activities; work with youth offending teams, youth engagement services and life skills.

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Quality of care good

Young people are encouraged to recognise equality and diversity beyond their own culture and beliefs. They are able to explore other cultures and beliefs through themed events. These have included 'understanding black history month' and attending 'Pride events' in addition to insight from the diverse staff team.

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Quality of care good

Staff facilitate agreed contact with family and appropriate friends, regularly making long journeys to ensure visits take place. They liaise sensitively with parents, friends, family members and social workers to ensure contact remains beneficial to young people. 7 of 10 The home is spacious and homely in appearance. There are areas for individual or group interaction and young people have access to the internet and social media in order to maintain friendships. The garage has recently been developed into a fully functional gym, which young people are making good use of. However redundant household appliances, some with offensive graffiti, remain in the area.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are very good at working proactively to keep young people safe. Young people are comfortable in the home, suggesting they feel safe. All identify staff they would go to if they are worried or upset. Staff have an excellent understanding of each young person’s vulnerabilities and work jointly with individuals and specialist professionals to protect them.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Policies within the home are comprehensive and updated in response to lessons learned locally and nationally; including identifying signs of exploitation and gang awareness. Additionally, staff benefit from specific training in these areas. Safeguarding investigations are managed promptly and in line with local procedures. Staff are clear what processes to follow should they be concerned for a young person’s safety or welfare. Bullying is an issue within the home on occasion. However, it is recognised as sibling style relationship issues and staff are vigilant to any issues or incidents.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people do not return from independent time or go missing from care on occasion. Such incidents have dramatically reduced since young people have been in placement. If young people leave the home without permission or do not return on time, staff search for them in any known locations. Local specialist police officers are positive about joint working with the home, in relation to individual histories of vulnerability and exploitation. Comprehensive procedures are in place with the local police and call- handling centre should young people be missing. The home and local police liaise directly with specialist officers in areas young people have family contact to promote safety in all settings.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Other behaviours that place young people at risk, such as offending, are well managed and reducing. The home works closely with youth offending teams to monitor risky behaviours and encourage continued positive engagement with workers. Sessions with drug and alcohol teams support young people to understand the risks associated with substance misuse, although this is not necessarily a current concern. Individual files contain up-to-date photographs of young people in case of emergency. Young people’s individual risk assessments are robust, ensuring young people are able to take age-appropriate risks in line with individual abilities and vulnerabilities.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour support plans identify key measures to de-escalate incidents and support 8 of 10 individuals through times of emotional crisis or distress. Police involvement is kept to a minimum and young people are encouraged to consider how future responses could be different. Staff's proactive response to unwanted behaviour results in limited use of restraint.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are safe from fire and other hazards as a result of regular checks and procedures. The use of discreet alarms on bedroom doors is agreed with relevant professionals, parents and young people. The measure is regular assessed to determine its appropriateness. The organisation’s recruitment policy is thorough, including robust personnel checks and telephone verification of references.

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Leadership and management good

The home is well run by an experienced manager who was registered in 2011. They hold relevant qualifications and have appropriate experience to manage the home effectively. The Registered Manager and management team continually seek to improve the service provided for young people and have a good knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses within the home.

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Leadership and management good

Evaluative monthly monitoring and quarterly evaluation of the building and records highlight any new areas of concern. Reports in relation to monitoring of the home in line with Regulation 33 are sound. The management team effectively utilises the constructive criticism and noted areas for improvement to inform the development plan and continually evolve the service. The home further assures the quality of service provided through questionnaires completed by young people, family and social workers.

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Leadership and management good

The Statement of Purpose is individualised to the home while noting the wider organisation's ethos. It reflects the service provided and staff are confident in their skills to meet the aims and objectives of the home. The young people’s guide is in a simple format which can be easily adapted and individualised. The booklet contains information on both internal and external advice and advocacy services.

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Leadership and management good

Multi-agency working is central to practice within the home in order to improve outcomes for young people. Close working relationships with emotional wellbeing services, specialist police officers and education in particular, help ensure positive outcomes for young people. Services that are not performing are challenged when required. External complaints regarding the home are responded to swiftly and to the complainant’s satisfaction. Relationships with neighbours are positive.

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Leadership and management good

The consistent staff team have an excellent understanding of the young people they care for. Staff say they are supported by the management team through formal and informal supervisions and feel their ideas are listened to. Supervision is comprehensive and promotes development while providing a sufficient level of challenge. Staff benefit from varied training opportunities to complete their jobs 9 of 10 effectively and improve their knowledge and skills. Newly appointed staff complete an induction programme specific to the service, and when needed, based on the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction standards. 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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