Children's Home run by Keys Education Ltd in Herefordshire

Unique reference number SC062074 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Keys Education Limited Registered person address Hurstwood Court, Laganwood House New Hall Hey Road ROSSENDALE Lancashire BB4 6HR Responsible individual Marc Murphy Registered manager Tracey Lorraine John Date of last inspection 24/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 28/01/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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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 declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

This home was last inspected in November 2014 and was judged to be adequate. Three requirements and two recommendations were made at this time. The Registered Manager has made some improvements since the last inspection; notifications are made to Ofsted and other services and young people now receive more health support. However, there are five regulatory shortfalls identified as a result of this inspection. One of these regulatory shortfalls is a continued failure to promote the care and education of young people. As a result, the home is judged to have declined in effectiveness.

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This inspection

The staff team maintain positive relationships with partner agencies. For example, relationships with placing authorities are positive. Comments from social workers include; ‘really good communication from the staff’, ‘young person has good relationships with the staff team’ and ‘no concerns with regards to the young person’s safety.’ These positive views are echoed by an education provider who says that the staff team are ‘able to share issues and work together’ and ‘there is a good dialogue between home and school.’ The views of young people are similarly positive about the care that they receive. A young person commented that ‘being here has meant I can be who I want to be.’

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This inspection

Where young people behave in a socially unacceptable manner, appropriate sanctions are used to discourage such behaviours. All required details are recorded including the views of the young people. The Registered Manager reviews these records to identify any themes or patterns. Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents requiring physical intervention. All staff are appropriately trained in the home’s chosen method of restraint. Furthermore, the Registered Manager has ensured that staff training is up to date in all other areas. This means that young people are cared for by an appropriately trained staff team. 3 of 6 The provider has taken some steps to improve young people’s access to medical and specialist services. This means that young people now have timely access to relevant services of support. For some young people, this has had positive impact on their development and progress. A young person commented that ‘the staff team have

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This inspection

really helped me.’ However, where young people smoke they do not receive appropriate support and guidance about this habit. This means that young people are able to continue in a risk taking behaviour without being encouraged otherwise. A requirement has been made to ensure that practice improves. This will ensure that young people are provided with appropriate guidance, support and advice.

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This inspection

Where young people are not in education they are often bored, unoccupied and lacking in routine and structure. The Registered Manager has taken some steps to ensure that educational provision is secured. However, a positive routine is not consistently implemented by staff in the home. For example, in a five week period, a young person completed educational activities on four occasions. The recommendation made at the last inspection has not been met. A requirement has been made to ensure that children are supported with school attendance. Furthermore, there is a continuing failure to ensure that proper provision is made for the care and education of young people. The requirement from the last inspection has therefore been repeated and will be closely monitored by Ofsted.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been an occasion where medication was not safely stored. As a result, a quantity of medication went missing from the home but was subsequently returned. There was no demonstrable impact on young people’s health or welfare as a result. However, a requirement has been made to address this regulatory shortfall. A further incident since the last inspection occurred where a young person was spoken to in a derogatory manner by staff. The staff team did not afford the young person the opportunity to make a complaint until several days after the event. The Registered Manager ensured that appropriate notification was made to relevant services. However, there was delay in seeking the views of the young person. This means that the staff team do not always ensure that a written record is made of any complaint. A requirement has been made to address this shortfall and improve practice.

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This inspection

As a result of this inspection, five regulatory requirements have been made. Furthermore, a requirement has not been met from the November 2014 inspection. Ofsted will now monitor the provider’s compliance with the regulatory shortfalls. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-owned home is registered to accommodate up to four young people. The home can look after young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/11/2014 Full adequate 11/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 19/09/2013 Full good 27/11/2012 Interim good progress

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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 the children’s home is conducted so as to make proper provision for the care, education, supervision, support and, where appropriate, treatment, of children accommodated there (regulation 11 (1) (b) ) 22/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote the educational achievement of children accommodated in a children’s home, in particular by ensuring that (b) the routine of the home is organised so as to further children’s participation in education, including regular attendance at school and participation in school activities of children of compulsory school age, regular attendance at college where applicable (Regulation 18 (1) (b) ) 22/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that (d) each child is provided with guidance, support and advice on health and 22/03/2015 5 of 6 personal care issues appropriate to his needs and wishes (Regulation 20 (1) (d) )

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children’s home (Regulation 21 (1) ) 22/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 24 (5) ) 22/03/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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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