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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a Registered Manager since July 2015. A new manager has been in post since September 2015 and is currently in the process of applying to become registered with Ofsted. They have made significant changes within the home. While many areas require further improvement, great strides have been made to improve the fabric of the building and quality of care for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are beginning to make greater progress as a result of living in the home. Parents comment that they are ‘confident’ in the skills of the new manager and feel their child is receiving a better service as a result. In addition, one felt they were ‘being supported well’ to have positive contact with their child. All young people attend school and communication between the home and school is robust. Links have demonstrably improved, including liaison to implement individual’s communication systems in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff nurture positive relationships with young people, resulting in individuals making some good progress. Those currently living in the home have been in placement for a significant period of time. They are now being supported to learn independence and communication skills. Staff are beginning to photographs to document these new skills to enable young people to understand the progress they are making.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved on to a provision that is better able to meet his needs. The move was planned, but expediated as it became clear the home and staff were not equipped to meet his behavioural needs. No new young people have moved into the home and the manager is reviewing pre-placement documents and planning processes. Records are increasing in clarity and evidencing progress with greater effect. In-house care plans have greater individuality and focus on positive skills and behaviours, rather than highlighting negative aspects. This is not yet fully implemented, but significant progress has been made. Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate they feel safe in the home and are comfortable in staff’s company. Any safeguarding concerns are referred onto partner agencies and staff are confident in safeguarding processes and procedures, including whistle blowing. Newly implemented approaches to

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behaviour management have led to a limited use of restraint, with no physical interventions since the last inspection. Sanctions are no longer used, with natural consequences being favoured to ensure young people learn from their actions at the time. There has been one complaint since the last inspection, which was resolved to the complainants’ satisfaction.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the recently appointed manager has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of care and service provided in the home. They have begun a robust response to the requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection, beginning with those that direct link to the quality of care and safety of young people. Partnership working is becoming entrenched in daily practice with communication between family and education staff effectively recorded. Daily recording systems have improved, with staff providing clearer accounts of young people’s activities and progress. This, along with updated in-house plans and photographing activities and skills, remain ongoing. Records also demonstrate managers chasing missing documents from the placing authority. E-safety training is yet to be planned, therefore the requirement remains. The risk to young people has diminished as those currently living in the home have specific interests and

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

filters on electronic devices ensures they cannot access inappropriate content. The use of agency staff has dramatically reduced. Those who do work in the home have supervision every eight shifts, and all relevant employment checks and information is available prior to them working in the home. Where information is missing, assurances have been sought form the employment agency and requests for the information to be sent to the home recorded.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is currently undergoing a full renovation. Young people and parents have been involved in choosing the décor. Staff have clearly explained to young people what will be changing in order to reduce anxiety and distress during the period of change. Consent has been sought from parents for the use of listening devices, but not from the placing authority. Staff now understand the need for the monitor and the medical condition of the individual concerned. The key pad lock on the front door has not yet been assessed and documented in line with each young person, expressing why this mechanical restraint is required in their individual plan.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports in relation to Regulation 44 have improved, and young people’s voice is increasingly being heard through these. Monitoring in line with Regulation 45 has not been evaluated at least six monthly or sent to Ofsted. The home manager has progressed through the current development plan, with the intention of updating it once the refreshment is complete.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. The company has four other homes in the local area in addition to others across the south of England. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 4 young people with learning disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

17/09/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

p.4

Recent inspection history

29/12/2014 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard with reference to staff understanding of e-safety and standard of maintenance within the home, the registered must ensure:

p.5

Requirement Due date

(2)(b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. 29/02/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; the child's placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)) 29/02/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least every 6 months. They must also supply a copy of the review to HMCI (Ofsted). (Regulation 45(1)(4)(a)) 29/02/2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure where children's homes caring for children with complex care needs and restraint may be necessary as a consequence of a child's impairment or disability, each child's EHC plan contains details about planned and agreed approaches to restraint or restraint techniques to be applied in the day-to-day routine of the child. This is with specific regard to the key pad lock on the front door. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 47 paragraph 9.43)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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

p.7