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

children and young people since the most recent full 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress as a result of their placement in the home. Staff form nurturing relationships with young people and provide effective care for them, making a positive difference to their lives. Strong links with parents and significant professionals ensures consistency in approach. Social workers and health professionals are complimentary of the service. Comments included: ‘I cannot fault the care given to young people’; ‘the environment is well equipped and appropriate to meet health and social needs’; and ‘the young person seems really happy and staff can read his behaviours well’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Planning prior to young people moving into the home is thorough, ensuring all health and social needs can be catered for. The staff and management teams are thoughtful in how they will meet individual’s needs safely, and ensure links with external medical professionals are robust. Examples include close liaison with specialists, such as speech and language therapists, resulting in feeding and other techniques being consistent across all settings and the ability to share positive practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual health care plans enable all staff to have a good understanding of how to meet specific needs and perform medical and personal care tasks. Staff are trained in delegated medical procedures and are confident in their abilities. Training currently lacks sign off from medical professionals for individual young people. The Registered Manager recognises this as necessary, but is struggling to have this recognised by external medical professionals. Records are clear in evaluating young people’s progress. Colourful target charts demonstrate successes in a manner young people can relate to. Goals are set in response to statutory reviews and education plans, ensuring consistency in all settings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When moving on from the home, individuals benefit from clear, well planned transitions supported by the home and staff. An individual currently in transition to adult services has all plans in place and his next home is being identified in conjunction with parents and adult services. The Registered Manager and key workers have previously robustly challenged delays in partner agencies formulating continuing care and transition plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are skilled in creating a nurturing environment where young people feel safe. Consistency in approach to understanding individual behaviours and communication has led to a strong understanding of young people’s wants and needs. For example, observations demonstrated staff helping young people to choose music to listen to at dinner and responding to an individual who indicated they wanted a change of song. Sanctions are very rarely used, and are diligently detailed in behaviour and health plans. Staff have an excellent understanding of what the behaviour is expressing and implement diversion or removal of the cause of upset or frustration.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager effectively leads the enthusiastic and committed staff team. Staff are confident in their roles and skills. Key workers are well informed on the needs and progress of their key child. Partnership working is entrenched in daily practice and communication between family and key professionals was noted as a strength by social workers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The building has homely touches and is mostly well maintained. It is equipped to meet the medical and physical needs of those living there. Bedrooms are personalised and communal areas are currently being redecorated. However, the passage way to the garden has broken furniture and other debris that has not been disposed of and skirting boards and floor edges in communal areas are dirty.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports in relation to visits undertaken in line with Regulation 44 provide appropriate evaluation and challenge. However, the language used is not always clear or relevant to children’s homes. Additionally, inclusion of previous month’s consultation with partner agencies and parents causes some confusion. Managers monitoring highlights areas for improvement and informs the homes development plan. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. The Registered Manager actively seeks feedback from visitors to the home and partner agencies in order to consistently improve the service provided for young people.

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Information about this children's home

This section should outline: This home is privately owned by a national organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to 6 young people with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/01/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

15/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory 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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

‘12. In order to meet the protection of children with specific regard to the environment the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health.’

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific regard to the side entrance to the garden being free of broken household items and the cleanliness of skirting boards and floor edges. 16 October

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Requirement Due date

Reports produced by the independent visitor must be clear on who has been consulted with during the visit and use language which is relevant to children’s homes and children’s homes regulations. (Regulation 44 (4)) 16 October

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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

 The registered person must ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to: respond to the health needs of children; administer basic first aid and minor illness treatment; help children to manage long-term conditions and where necessary meet specific individual health needs arising from a disability, chronic condition or other complex needs. This is with specific regard to “Joint guidance for CQC and Ofsted staff, and providers” Annex 4, page 19 which states: “The permitted tasks for non-health qualified staff and focus of training for these tasks must be on the care as it applies to a named child. The individual carer will require specific training and assessment in order to participate in the care of a second or third child”. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 34 paragraph 7.12)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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