Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC412476 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person New Horizon Centre Limited Registered person address European Care Group 2 Parklands, Rednal BIRMINGHAM B45 9PZ Responsible individual Amanda Elizabeth Morgan-Taylor Registered manager Paul Anthony Wright Date of last inspection 13/08/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 29/12/2014

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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 sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The requirement that was made previously to improve the shower area is met in full. A new wet room has been installed. Young people are able to enjoy a shower in pleasant surroundings that suits their needs much better. The Registered Manager ensures that annual appraisals are completed. Young people benefit from being cared for by staff who have their personal training needs identified.

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This inspection

Another success, since the last inspection, is that the activity programme is now operational. Young people are able to participate in activities within the home, such as baking or cooking, as well as accessing community pastimes, such as swimming, bowling or visiting a local cafe. There are other plans for young people to be able to pursue their interests, for example, horse-riding. A placing social worker said she is delighted with the progress and the home 'have worked wonders with him'. A parent spoke very positively of the care and support being delivered, citing their child's behaviour is much improved and that he is much happier. Key-work staff are now working with education professionals to ensure a consistent approach across both settings.

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This inspection

Young people now have access to electronic devices with up to date software. They are able to make their views known, for example, by pressing a sequence of symbols. A placing social worker said 'the home is now able to gain the views of the young person living in the home'.

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This inspection

At the previous inspection the senior management team acknowledged there was insufficient staffing capacity to admit further young people. The current staffing team is providing stability and consistency for the young people living in the home. There has been one child discharged from the service and one recent new admission since the last inspection. The Registered Manager has a contingency plan in place in the event of staff shortages and this has recently been implemented. However, this 3 of 6 is not sustainable in the long term and especially during school holidays when staffing has to be increased. There is an impact on management time including the arrangement for deputising responsibilities in the absence of the Registered Manager. The senior management team recognises that there are still staffing issues and have implemented strategies to improve the situation, such as a recruitment day and local advertisements. The plan to build and train new staff prior to any further

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This inspection

young people being admitted into the home continues. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home offers small group living to four young people with learning disabilities. It is privately owned.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/08/2014 Full adequate 13/06/2014 Full inadequate 31/10/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 16/04/2013 Full good

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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 there is at all times, having regard to the number and needs of the children accommodated in the children's home, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children's home (Regulation 25 (1)(a)) 27/02/2015

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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 there are clear arrangements in place to ensure appropriate management of the home when the registered manager is absent. (NMS 21.5) 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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