Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Buckinghamshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make good progress living in the home. They have built good relationships with an experienced, dedicated staff team who know and understand them. One young person who has recently moved in commented, ‘the home is brilliant I love it here I am doing really well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people struggle within a formal education setting. The home works closely with the organisation’s school and therapist to support and encourage young people to attend. There are clear strategies in place and there has been some improvement with educational attendance. The headteacher commented ‘although X’s attendance is inadequate it is better than it has been in past schools; he comes in for a very limited part of the afternoon as we want him to leave wanting more, we will gradually build this up’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into and out of the home are managed well. A young person has recently moved to his own flat. Staff supported him in securing and furnishing his accommodation. There is a plan in place where staff phone him once a day and pop in for coffee, he also returns to the home twice a week for dinner. Staff feel that he still needs to be part of the home as he lived here for over five years and he will let them know when he does need such intense support. This flexible and young-person-directed support has successfully minimised the changes in his life at a time of transition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person recently moved in from a sister home. An impact risk assessment was completed to ensure that the consequences for the current group had been taken into account and safeguarding issues looked at. The young person was invited to visit the home and his key worker also went to visit him before he moved. On the day a family member, the manager from his old home and his new keyworker, supported him. Extra staff were used to support the young person to settle. Again this helped provide continuity at a time of change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of the impact young people moving in and leaving the home can have and make sure that they are supported by discussions in key work and young people’s meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All requirements and recommendations have been completed since the last inspection. The manager has clear aspirations for the young people and staff are very proud of the achievements they make.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are robust monitoring systems in place which look at care practice in the home. These are then put on to graphs making it easier to monitor patterns and trends. These can also be used as a visual aid during key work sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervisions are regular and staff spoken to say that they support the work they do with the young people. Due to the manager and deputy being off sick at the same time extra management support was put in place to ensure that monitoring, staff support and supervision were kept updated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have positive experiences living in the home. One young person who has recently moved on sent an individual card to staff thanking them for supporting and being there for him. Another young person commented, ‘I’m doing really well, the staff are getting me to look at things in a new way and it’s good.’ A third young person commented, ‘I don’t like it here at the moment I want to move nearer home, I don’t think staff like me or look after me’. When we spoke, further she was able to identify five staff that she likes and that listen to and support her. Staff are aware that she is struggling due to a young person moving on and someone coming in and this has had an impact on her behaviour. Staff are completing extra key work sessions, risk assessments have been updated and the therapist is available should she wish to explore how she is feeling. Again, the extra support at a time of change is well thought out.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff celebrate young people’s achievements, each young person has an individualised target sheet and these are discussed in key work sessions and updated weekly. There is a new achievements wall which staff have created with certificates and messages of congratulations from staff to the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 14 negative consequences since the last inspection, these are fair and proportionate and have been monitored by the manager Young people are given the opportunity to read and comment on all sanctions imposed by staff. These are also discussed in key work sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 17 positive consequences; staff spoken to reported that recognising positive behaviour however small helps build young people’s self- esteem and confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints by young people are taken seriously, the manager or senior staff respond to the complaint within a few days and keeps the young person updated. Staff also support them through key work sessions. There have been two complaints since the last inspection, which have been appropriately concluded. There have been four incidents of young people missing; these have been for a very short period. Young people are spoken to on their return. The home has an independent person who will conduct return to home interviews when required. Staff were clear on the procedures to follow should young people go missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have completed safeguarding training including child sexual exploitation. The manager and senior staff have attended prevent training and this is to be rolled out to all staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Medication is appropriately stored and recorded. Staff have had extra training to support them in managing a young person’s particular health needs and were clear who to contact if they had any concerns. Young people’s GPs have completed a form to say what homely remedies can be given.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding concerns are appropriately reported and there is clear evidence of action taken by the home and other professionals. The manager attends monthly meetings with other providers, police, youth offending service and other agencies to look at potential safeguarding issues in the area and to share information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff work closely with outside agencies such as colleges, leaving care team and health professionals. Staff understand the importance of working together for young people to continue to make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been redecorated downstairs since the last inspection; it has a warm nurturing feel. The young people were instrumental in choosing colours and furniture and were involved in helping staff with painting.

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Information about this children's home

This service is run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide medium to long term care for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people living in the home can attend a school also run by the provider and have access to in-house therapeutic support.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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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