Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC370899 Inspector Michael Mulvaney Type of inspection Interim 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 John Bertie Date of last inspection 12/11/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 05/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

At the previous inspection in November 2014, one recommendation was made for the provider to ensure the training of staff, especially those from an agency. The Registered Manager has been proactive in making sure that all staff have completed the mandatory training prior to working in the home. This means that a group of adults with relevant skills look after the young people.

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This inspection

Young people continue to say that they feel safe. Robust safeguarding measures ensure that young people are safe in this home. The young people attend school or other educational provisions which meet their needs. This provides them with opportunities to develop skills and have a group of friends outside of the home.

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This inspection

The young people are encouraged to participate in a range of activities such as basketball and music. These contribute positively to their physical and emotional health. Some young people continue to smoke despite staff working hard to help them to engage with professionals to end the habit. Some young people have moved into independence and into employment from this home. They have developed their independent skills prior to leaving the home which promoted their self-help skills and confidence. The staff have remained in contact with these young people to offer assistance should they require support. This helps to maintain strong relationships with trusted adults.

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This inspection

The staff have ensured that they have up to date information about young people who have recently started to live in this home. This information has formed the basis of risk assessments and placement plans which the staff use to meet the young person’s needs. This has helped young people settle in the home. 3 of 5 There has recently been an increase in the use of physical intervention. The Registered Manager and the in-house therapist reflect on these incidents. They are working to develop alternative strategies to manage situations before the need to intervene physically. As a consequence the staff have more understanding of the young people’s needs.

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This inspection

There are regular meetings where young people are able to share their views on their care and the home. Young people’s requests are acted on and their views listened to. For example, they are consulted about activities and the decoration of the home. This resulted in changes to the layout of a room and new posters being brought.

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This inspection

The staff have recognised that some young people have issues in their relationships within the home. The staff are proactive and intervene positively to engage with young people if there is evidence of any anti-social behaviour. Regular key work sessions take place and help to promote the development of sound relationships. This gives the young people confidence to discuss their needs with staff.

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This inspection

Staff are appropriately trained and supervised ensuring they provide good quality care, to meet the individual needs of young people. Other systems, such as auditing and reporting by senior managers and visits from independent people further provide quality assurance. The Registered Manager has routinely sent in notifications of incidents to Ofsted to enable monitoring of outcomes for the young people in the home. These incidents are managed appropriately and as a consequence the young people have been safeguarded. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of homes operated and managed by an organisation which is a national provider of care and education for young people. The home is registered to offer care and accommodation for up to three male young people who may have emotional and or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2014 Full good 26/03/2014 Interim good progress 15/01/2014 Full good 13/12/2012 Interim good progress

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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 that children live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted and where they are able to access the services to meet their health needs. Particularly to promote smoking cessation. (NMS 6) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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